The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-10-21
HER PRISONER
BY AGNES G. BROGAN.
Copyright. 1918. b. western Newspaper Union,

tCopyrght, 1elS. By Western Newspaper Union.t
When Aunt Hyacinth answered an
advertisement, renting for the summer
furnished country home, Caro- had re-
belled at the prospect But her re-
bellion had ended as usual in an I'M
selfish desire to make the best of the
situation. The house was somewhat
out Of repair, the agent acknowledged.
The owner, who was now in California,
would return soon, to prepare Ii for
occupancy.
Aunt Hyacinth, whom obstacles but
made eager, determined to move I'm at
once. "We will live out of doors for
the most part" she said. "You and
Nora will go out the day before and
see that the house is aired. I abhor
a stuffy atmosphere"
So it was decreed. The agent meet
Ing Caro- and the faithful Nora at the
station, was communicative. used to
be the finest place in town." he said,
pointing to the rambling old house in
its garden. "'Gridleys' have lived
there from away back. This last, judi
son Gridley, lets the old place, furni-
ture and all, while he travels about the
country. Keeps a bungalow for his
own convenience near by, with two old
family servants as caretakers. Some
say it's Jud's way of making a home
for them. Jud's a bach, you know;
never seems much to notice the wom-
en-. Well, if you need anything done
about the house, call up No. 153-that's
Gridley's bungalow telephone number.
Old Jabesh and his wife'll go over and
help you"
Carols eyes opened wide at the
grandeur of the mahogany, while her
pretty brows drew together at the
dustiness Of the heavy draperies.
'Lots Of work for you, Norar' she
said.
It was pleasant to lie In the great
garden coming through her open win
dow, and moonlight filtering over all.
What queer little balcony that was
outside her window, the pillars of the
lower veranda supporting it. She
wished that she had investigated Its
windings before lying down to sleep.
When Aunt Hyacinth came, they would
sit out there on such moonlit even
ings-. And at this point of her medi-
tation, an eerie creeping sound came
to the girls acutely conscious ears. 1t
was as though some intruder were try
ing to climb the pillars of the balcony.
Her heart pounding wildly, she
managed to draw a kimono from the
bedpost and find with feeling feet her
slippers, Just as a mans capped head
appeared Enthusiastically above the bal
cony railing.
She edged along the floor In the
darkness, as the man boldly stepped
over the rail- At sight Of her open
window he paused as though surprised,
then evidently decided to enter the
house that way, but the locked window
screen caused him TO change his pur-
pose, and he turned, apparently sure
that the house was deserted, moving
to an unscreened window farther on.
Caro-, listening with taut nerves, dis
tinctly heard him enter thus the hall.
For q moment she fancied the man
waiting In silence to make certain OF
his ground; then he had passed her
door.
Upon the outside of that same bed
room door she had noticed a key In
its lock- She would fly across the pas
sage, turn the key and make the man
prisoner. The high window to that
room faced no balcony; escape would
be impossible. She was noiselessly
opening her own room door as she
formed her plan. Afterward she would
telephone for help. The light from
the open door flooded the hall, she
had just time to glimpse mans star.
ing face beneath a rough caps brfm,
as the door slammed and locked him
In. The rest was easy. "Call No. 1b3,
the agent had said. 1t was the only
number Caro- knew. She was surprised
at the promptness Of the response.
"BurglarY" questioned a mans
voice. "Ohi I guess not; but I'll be
right over"
'It was Gridley's old caretaker," she
surmisedr
In her new-found courage she had
quite forgotten the sleeping Nora, and
It was Caro- herself who opened the
door to admit the clustering servant
"Don't We worry about me not bein
able to manage any crook" he told
her, and waved threateningly muir
demonstrating bludgeon. I'm here
eh?" he Numbered and unlocked bel
captive's prison.
Trembling, Caro- drew back against
the panels Of the hall. Then the care
/ takers quick laugh was followed by
manly voice Of pleasing quality.
$50 you have come to rescue me
Jabesh," said the voice. "Wfll yot
tell me, please, what sort Of dream
I've been having? And where Is ths
golden butterfly who mysteriousl!
| locked me inY
Bewilderingly and In her yellow XII
| mono Of golden embroidery, Caro- creep