The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-27

Drown stone building. His latchkey
admitted him and she slipped in
directly behind. Yes, there was the
warm red carpet in the hall and the
serpentine stairs winding up around
the wall.
Her room was dark and empty.
Lucille had not returned. The bed
invited her, and she CROPPED across
to 1t.
1t was q grief-stricken face that
rested against the pillow, aged by
many years since its round be-
neflcence Of the morning. The phys
ical comfort soothed her a. . moth
er's arms q tired child, and the
shadowy room filled with vague. in
distinct forms that came and went
and floated of into the darkness.
Suddenly she was awake, wide
eyed. conscious that she was no
longer alone. Eagerly she raised her.
self on her elbow. The light from the
street sent a long. bright ray across
the room and her near-sighted eyes
made out a form in front Of the dress
ing table.
"Lu-" the word was checked.
The form had moved. It was a man!
Limp, nerveless, she dropped back
on her pillow. The fear that haunted
her by day, the trembling terror Of
her waking hours at night, had taken
shape.
She was alone in the presence Of a
burglar.
In her fright and horror she lay,
following in maze the mans smooth
dexterity as he handled the objects
on the dressing table,.
The man moved from the dressing
table; a door creaked. She looked up
to see his square shoulders disappear.
ing into the closet.
| Her blood leaped and coursed
through her veins. Her fears dropped
from her. She was no longer q fright.
ened, helpless little woman. She
slipped from the bed; her noiseless
feet skinned the floor. Just before
she reached the closet they caught In
rug. She stumbled; her out
stretched hand hit the door. II
swung to with bang. Instantly she
was up, her fingers grasping the key
She turned 1t and leaned breathless
but triumphant against the panel.
There was a moment of quiet
Then the knob of the door was turned
gently The man breathed heavily az
he braced himself to break the lock
Again her fears were upon her. Hel
shaking knees failed her; she wa:
sinking 10 the carpet when a louder
rattle g the knob behind stiffenet
her to lie.
She started to run. The floor ros,
to meet her, but she kept on till sh'
reached the hall.
"Murt II! Murder!" Only a whis
per came TO her lips.
Murder. Murder!" A thin, quaver
ing falsetto.
What Is it, madam? What Is IT.?
exclaimed big man, struggling will
a collar button at the back o
, his neck.
"A man." gasped Miss Bartlett, I"
man"
J "A man, madam, a mani"
Eyes, yes; a burglar. He went int
the closet. locked him in"
= "Why? What the devil?" exclaime
the big man, when he opened tn
3 closet.
mo. Johnson, l deny the tender al
= pellation.
"What in thunder. Atterbury. ar
. you doing locked up in your ow
closet?"
:. swell, Sammy, that's something
=, wish you would explain"
ben! o Benz" Miss Bartlett
pushed to the center of the grou
y and seized Mr.. Atterbury by the arm
is why, Aunt Lucy, Aunt Luc,
t. what are you doing here?"
e. where's the burglar?'
But Aunt Lucy, how did you com
here?"
:" 81 came to see Lucille. Where's tn
e burglar?" she demanded peerin
u around into the closet.
c. There isn't any burglar that
I know of. Who locked me in there?"
le "Why, l did. thought though
I you were burglar"
70 But I don't understand. How d
ID you como here in my roomf"
I "Your room? Lucille said It was n
ROOM"
ID Seems to me things are . lit
a mixed. Lucille lives two blocks fro
bit here"
he Miss Bartlett's bewildered ey'
Id ! wandered from one to the other
to the three gentlemen. II sec how
or is" she said at last. i've got in
81 the wrong house. I'm just q stup
10 old woman"
ig. Supported on Bens strong arm, Il
m street lamps blinked merrily at
ed through the whirling fakes, and L
IT, wind that caught her skirts Al
Dr. whipped in her face. was but . glt
as- full winter gale.
us do come in. Ben: do come IL
she urged at the door, Don't lea
he me till l And out whether Lucille
ed hunting for me among the lost
ar ticles at the police station or is dri
he ging the river"
ng Aunt Lucy!" voice cried fri
the hall above. Flying feet. foati
ky draperies, vision of dishevel
vn. golden hair. and she was seized in
is warm embrace. II have hunted
A Good evening, Mr.. Atterbury," from
om remote distance.
yht Lucille" said Miss Bartlett, I
lrd EMMY, II came near getting Z