The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-23


bore Il most startling admonition to
would he trespasSers.
Pinned 10 one of the panels there
was dainty bit of white note paper,
with these Satire words written across
It's surface In a bold feminine hand:
property"
Most property owners no doubt would
have been incensed by this calm def.
ance on the part of squatter. either
male or female, but not l. The very
impudence of the uSurper appealed tn
me What could be more delicious
than her serene courage in dispossess.
ing me with the stroke Of a pen of at
least two-thirds of my domicile and
what more exciting than the thought
OF wasing war against her in the eff.
fort to regain possession of It? Really
1t was quite glorious. Here was a
happy. enchanting bit OF feudalism
that stirred my romantic soul to its
very depths
We returned to the courtyard and
held counsel of war. put all of the
Schmicks on the grill. but they stub
bornly diSclaimed all interest in or
knowledge of the extraordinary occu
pant of the east wing.
I'VE can smoke her out. SIR" said
Britton.
could scarcely believe my ears.
"Britton." said | severely, you are
brute. | am surprised. You forget
there is an innocent babe, maybe a
collection of them, over there and
dog. We shan't do anything heathen-
ish, Britton. Please err that In mind.
There is but one wayne must storm
the place. | will not be detied to my
very nose" felt it to see IL it was
not little ont Of joint. 1T is a good
nose"
1T is. sir" said Britton. And Poo
pendyke in perfect ecstasy of loyalty
shouted. Long live your nose. SIR.
My German vassals waved their
hats, perceiviag that demonstration
was required without In the least
knowing what ii was about.
That night was very black and trag-
ic. swift storm clouds having raced up
to cover the moon and stars. With a
radiant lanthorn in the window be-
hind me. / sat down with my pad and
my pipe and my pencil The storm
was not far away.
| was scribbling away In serene con-
tempt for the physical world when
there came TO my ears a sound that
gave me q greater shock than any
streak of lightning could have pro-
duced and Yet left sufficient life in me
to appreciate the sensation of being
A wOman's voice. speaking to me ont
Of the darkness and from some point
quite near at hand!
81 beg your pardon, but would you
mind doing me very slight favor?"
Those were the words. uttered in a
clear. sweet. perfectly confident voice.
as of one who never asked for favors,
but exacted them.
| looked about me, blinking, utterly
bewildered. No one was to be seen.
She laughed without really meaning
to do so, l also laughed-nervously, of
Cant You see me-" she asked !
looked intently at the spot from which
the sound seemed to come-a perfectly
solid stone block less than three feet
from my right shoulder 1t must have
been very amusing. She laughed again.
l flushed resentfully.
Where are your cried out rather
tartly
Il can see you quite plainly. and you
are very ugly when you scowl, sir.
Are you scowling at me?"
~ don't know" replied truthfully.
still searching for her docs it seem
SO to you?"
Yes"
Then ] must be looking In the right
cried impolitely. "You
must be Ah"
My straining eyes had located
small, oblong blotch in the curve of the
tower not more than twenty feet from
where | stood. and on a direct line
with my balcony. True. could not at
first see face. but as my eyes grew a
little more accustomed to the darkness,
fancied 1 could distinguish a shadow
that might pass for one.
II didn't know that little window
was there cried. puzzled
'It isr't.' she said. 1T is a secret
loophole. and ii isn't here except In
times of great duress. See. can close
It,! The oblong blotch abruptly dis
appeared. only to reappear an instant
later. 1 was beginning to understand.
or course It was in the beleaguered
east wing: II hope I didn't startle you
= moment ago"
| resolved to be very stiff and for
NAL about it, May inquire. madam.
what you are doing in my hou-my cas-
tleg'
You may"
WELL" said I, seeing the point.
what are you doing here?"
Il am living here she answered dis
tinctly.
so ! perceive" said I. rather too dis
tincty.
And have come down to ask
simple. tiny little favor of you. Mr..
Smart" she resumed