Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-09-05
Two of
Them
They Met In a Vacant
House
By AGNES q. BROGAN

! By AGNES G. BROGAN /
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The European war had brought an
abrupt ending to Jack Hayden's impor-
tant commission, sending him back
unexpectedly to bis own country. he
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. he Lit cigar and
threw himself into a. chair for 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 he slept he did
not know. It was q slight grating
sound which first attracted his atten-
ton. Then as his senses became more
alert he discovered a black capped
heal upon the outer side Of the win.
dow, within direct range Of his vision.
There was no doubt the intruder had
climbed to the veranda roof and was
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 grating con-
tinued a sharp instrument appeared
above the sill, and the catch was deft
ly moved aside.
Jack waited no longer. One swift
backward reach for his valise, and he
stood revolver In hand against the
paneling Of the wall. There was no
sound for moment but bis own rapid
breathing; then the window was flung
up noiselessly and q slim silhouetted
figure slipped into the room. Stimuli
taneously with the click Of the electric
button came sharp cry. instantly fol-
lowed by q low exclamation from Hay.
den. The figure standing under cover
Of his threatening weapon was the
figure Of a girl. Little more than
girl she seemed, at least, with her fair
hair curling In tendrils about the close
fitting velvet turban. which 80 resem.
b1ed cap.
Her eyes met his, wide and startled,
while the hand which fell to her side
held but q 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, e1pectant waiting, unnerved
Jack Hayden strangely. His very fn-
gers trembled at the revolvers 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 a
possible accomplce; then his gaze re-
turned to the girl.
"Why are you hereT he asked
The young woman glanced over the
cleaning point of his revolver.
"Why are you2" she said coolly.
Hayden compressed his lips. "An-
swer me-" he insisted, before I call
the police"
The girl smiled scornfully. HYou
won't do that" she said, ut 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 meanT he asked slowly. "What
do you take me forT
"What would any one take you forr
the girl retorted. 'Who but burglar
Ia found armed at night In q vacated
houseT
Jack stared, then laughed shortly
49," he said, "you think there are
two Of us?"
The girl sprang to her feet 1.-TWO
of us!' she cried Indignantly. "Do you
dare to think that r.
Certainly not" Jack answered sar-
casucally. 'T merely supposed when
you so skillfully pried that rear win
dow that you had dropped In to pay q
friendly call upon my sister. who Is
very evidently not at home"
The girl stood bSeathlessly regarding
him. "YourNsisterw she murmured
unbelievingly. Cynthia Hayden your
sister,"
In careless proof Jack handed to her
the double photograph For time she
looked from the original back again to
the picture, then, with crimson flush
Ing face. returned the picture to him.
I'll did not know" she began blum
deringly. that you were here. I'm
new friend Of Cynthia's, you see.
and promised her'-she paused un-
certainly. watching his face-prom-
ised her that I'd stay and take care OF
the dog and cat, feed them until she
came back. We came In tonight on
the train together. I mean." she con-
tinued desperately, "that Cynthia went
"a, and stopped over"
"And entered my sisters home.
Jack added causticaily. through an
upper rear window"
II hadn't the key" the girl explain
ed Cynthia had given It to me- Dut
then there was q mistake, and-and !
had to get .n." she went ON excitedly.
=. simply had to. It was night ana
there was no place else to 60. ! don't
know q living soul In this town. ana
I'd lost my money, an Of It, or. rather
Cynthia had taken my money and my
watch and rings and everything"
Anger died out Of Jack Hayden's
| face, and pity took its place 40 hs
listened to the girls confused and I'M
probable tale "But the hatpin = he