The Lamar register., 1917-03-21

little child ran up TO the WINDOW, the
cage in her hands. She set 1t upon
the sill. she drew back with bewilder-
ing smile of gratitude, bowed with the
grace Of some titled lady and kissed
her dainty finger tips to the donor OF
the feathered pet.
The memory of the face of Miss
Thirty-one fingered in the thoughts of
Merrill all that day. Miss" they had
called her. Then possibly not wife,
mother nor widow And the little one
had nightly attracted him, too. The
mystery of their seclusion gave an add
ed spice to the situation. There might
be call for "A chivalrous attention. At
least, the proximity was pleasant. He
would miss the bird, but the next
morning the little child appeared at
the window again and warmed his
heart with her innocent, grateful
smiles.
IN take box Of those" said Mer-
rill to clerk In toy store two eve
nings later, and started homeward with
a box Of building blocks under his arm.
The landlady smiled covertly as he in
dicated their desired destination.
The weather changed during the
night and IL was too chilly for open
windows the next morning, but as'he
glanced at the one across the court
Merrill was greeted with pyramidical
message on the inside sill, formed Of
the painted wooded alphabet blocks:
Thank you"
I'm glad Miss Thirty-one takes no
oTense." reflected Merrill. "It's some
thing to keep me from the megrims-
having that little one to think Of
He left out reference TO the one that
was not little, and rather testify re-
sented quick mental suggestion that
his interest in the young lady in ques-
tion was growing one, and that there
was a tnge of hypocrisy in indicating
the child us the main object Of atten-
ton.
one evening Merrill, passing small
Indies bazaar shop, saw Miss Thirty
one and the little one inside. He
glanced through the window to see the
young lady produce some homemade
lace, which was measured and paid
for. As they came out he followed,
but did not approach them. He OBJ
served an ill-favored man slouch
steallhlly after them, carefully note
the building they entered and sneak
away.
1t was early the next morning when
Merrill arose and threw up his window
TO air the room. His first glance was
at the one opposite. 1t was closed.
but revealed, standing sideways Miss
Thirty-tSo. She was apparently speak
ing to someone in the room and fun
bling with the building blocks Merrill
noticed that her hand trembled and
that her face was unnaturally pale.
Suddenly she flashed II single glance
at him. Eloquent pleading was in her
eyes. Then her fingers moved among
the scattered blocks, and then, slow
ly, but with precision, she spelled out
three words: "Help-come quick -
Merrill was down the steps in II flash
| He hurried into the next building, he
! located the room opposite TO his own
across the court. lie stood still and
| listened. There was a rustling against
the other side Of the door. and 1t moved
as II somebody there was barring
egress.
The money my wife left. Give IL
to me, here, now, or I'll put you asleep
and get the child and put her where
| you'll never see her again. uttered
| the hourse savage voice.
Mo-" came qulveringly. but firmly.
In femme tones. "What l have. take.
/ Go, leave me in peacel You have no
wife-your neglect killed her, my poor
/ sister! And the law has given me the
| rghtful charge of the child. The
money is for her education. You are
/ an escaped convict. | will betray you
rather than you should dnrken Irrna's
/ young life"
There was "A savage growl, II rush.
! Merrill burst open the door lie pinned
the ruiiiau by the throat to the wall.
This man Is annoying you?" spoke
Merrill quietly.
"Oh, drive him away, save me Pro
tect me-" sohbed Miss Thirty-one, and
sank fainting to couch. while the lit
tie one, just waking up, stared wonder
| ingly about her.
60" spoke Merrill sternly, giving
the intruder a swing through the open
doorway. Il have heard enough to
know that If l speak one word to the
police, you Will be out of this lady's
way enectually," and the fellow made
swift retirement.