The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-09-28
Two of
Them
They Met In a Vacant
House
By AGNES G. BROGAN

was not surprised. therefore. at finding
the old homestead vacated and his sis
ter Cynthia away, presumably upon
one of her customary visits.
Cynthia insisted upon keeping up
the old estate and living in solitary
grandeur. while her brother traversed
the world in his civil engineering ca
pacity. His latchkey fitted now into
the lock with old time easiness. Going
upstairs to his room. now evidently oc-
cupied by Cynthia. be lit cigar and
threw himself into n chair for a smoke.
He must have been more tired than
he supposed. for the cigar turned to
ashes in his fingers and all became
oblivion. How long be slept he did
not know 1t was slight grating
sound which first attracted his atten-
alert he discovered black capped
head upon the outer side of the win
dow. within direct range of his vision.
There was no doubt the intruder had
now at work loosening the clasp OF
the window Darkness and silence
had added TO the workers assurance
that the house was empty. With fas-
cinated eyes Jack Hayden watched
the black cap as he withdrew farther
into the shadows. AS the~gratlng CON
tinued sharp instrument appeared
cot, n aff
ly moved aside.
Jack waited no longer. One swift
backward reach for his valise. and he
stood revolver in hand against the
Daneling of the wall. There was no
sound for a moment but his own rapid
breathing: then the window was flung
I'D noiselessly and q slim silhouetted
figure slipped into the room. Stimuli
taneously with the click of the electric
button came a sharp cry. instantly fol
lowed by low exclamation from Hay
den The figure standing under cover
of his threatening weapon was the
figure OF a girl Little more than Il
girl she seemed. at least. with her fair
hair curling in tendrils about the close
fitting velvet turban. which so resem-
bled cap
Her eyes met his. wide and startled.
while the hand which fell to her side
held but long and jeweled hatpin.
This was the instrument. he realized.
which had unfastened the latch. The
girl still facing him, withdrew almost
imperceptibly toward the open win
dow
stand STILL" Jack commanded.
The shock of being confronted by
this small. appealing figure after his
tense. expectant waiting. unnerved
Jack Hayden strangely His very fin
gers trembled at the reyolyer's hilt.
sit down." he ordered huskily. 81
lently the girl obeyed. From the win
dow his keen eyes searched the moon
lit garden. the portico outside. for
possible accomplice: then his gaze re-
turned TO the girl.
why are you here?' he asked.
The young woman glanced over the
cleaning point of his revolver
why are you?" she said coolly.
Hayden compressed his lips. AN
swer me-" he insisted. before | call
the police
The girl smiled scornfully. You
won't do that" she said. lit would be
rather too dangerous-for yourself"
She leaned forward suddenly. Have
you taken anything YETI" she asked.
Because if you haven't and will go
away quietly no one need ever know
that you were here. I'm not as
calm as / look. Your revolver makes
me quite sick"
HAYDEN bent toward her. What do
you mean?' he asked slowly. "What
do you take me for?"
what would any one take you for?"
the girl retorted who but burglar
is found armed at night in vacated
house,
Jack stared then laughed shortly
So he said. you think there are
two of us?"
The girl sprang TO her feet Two
of u.s. she cried Indignantly. DO you
dare to think that T.
Certainly not Jack answered sar-
castically Il merely supposed when
you so skiilfully pried that rear win
dow that yen had dropped in to pay
friendly call upon my sister. who is
very evidently not at home
The girl stood breathlessly regarding
him. '.Your-sister" she murmured
Cynthia Hayden your |
sister,
In careless proof Jack handed to her
the double photograph. For a time she |
looked from the original back again to |
the picture. then. with crimson flush !
ing face. returned the picture TO him.
II did not know" she began blum |
deringly. that you were here lin
a new friend Of Cynthia's. you see
and | promised her'-she paused I'M
certainly. watching his face-"prom-
ised her that Id stay and take care of
the dog and cat. feed them until she |
came back We came in tonight on
the train together | mean" she con-
tinued desperately. that Cynthia went
on. and | stopped over"
"And entered my sisters home