The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-05-09
THE INTRUDER
BY AGNES @. BRooAN.


since marriage. The one difficulty
was I'm leaving the new apartment va
cant In winter. Janet was afraid that
The water pipes might freeze, and 1t
would be impossible to leave Nancy,
the parrot. In the cold rooms.
However, Harry departed upon the
morning train, and as she was leaving
upon later trolley, Janet sat at the
telephone, considering whom among
her friends would be willing to care
for her troublesome pet. Just in the
midst of her problem the telephone
rang with a sound of promise.
Hello, Janey," called a tone Of pc
cullar sweetness, you will never
guess who this is, so I'll tell you. Your
old college sister, Theodore and am
on my wny home from a trip with
! Nell Truesdale. Could you keep Inc
over night? We want to go to the
theater."
Janet's brain worked busily. Come
out right now" she replied. The two
girls had written of their wandering
trip to the homes of various old school
friends. There would be much of In
terest In the city that week. Perhaps
she might be able to persuade them
- stay and keep house In the apart
ment during her absence; mutual
exchange of accommodations, the new
experience for the girls, care for her
plants, and pet. SO when the girls
came all was quickly and satisfactorily
arranged. Joyously her friends escort
ed Janet to the trolley.
"You can rely upon u.s." they as
sured her, 1--WE will keep the gas go-
ing In the furnace. and have every.
thing In readiness for your return"
Nell Truesdale eagerly scanned the
evenings theatrical notices while
Theodore attended to the electric cof-
fee pot.
isn't 1t delightful, being alone like
thisI" she said. mo one to entertain
us as we do not wish to be enter
talned. The only thing that troubles
me, Nell, Is fear of burglars. Oh
you needn't SMILE" as her friends
lip curled sarcastlcally, 1--WE have been
reading enough about apartment
thieves. Couldn't we leave all the
rooms lighted so that when we return
at late hour tonight there will be no
fearsome dark corners?
Not single light Nell answered
firmly. "That would be fine way TO
keep house for Janey, running up her
electric light bills. We will press the
lighting button In the entrance hall
when we return. II 1t will then ease
y your mind, you may sit at the tele-
phone ready to give the alarm while
l explore hidden corners" Nell was
laughing, but Theodora's lovely face
expressed apprehension, as the two
went into the night.
A man stumbling later, up the same
carkened stairway, fitted first one key
and then another, without success. A
moment longer he persisted, then
made his way TO rear entrance with
rewarded effort. The back hall door
responded to his touch. and feeling his
way the man entered the apartment.
He made his way TO an inner chamber
the one vacated by the inmates, and
after investigating, reclined on the
couch and lit cigar.
oh" screamed Nancy.
"Shut up" the man GROSSLY shouted
ard watching the smoke rise from his
cigar, he unexpectedly fell asleep.
Perhaps Nell was not as brave a'
she would have her friend believe. Al
any rate she entered in the same tense
listening air of silence. Neither CIR
spoke as they pressed the button In
the hall, and peered on into the room
"Smokel" breathed Dora.
Cigar smoke" echoed Nell. The,
stood for moment transiixed, ther
hand In hand moved into the room TO
gether. As the reclining manly fgur'
met their gaze, Dora screamed
smothered scream, but the mans eye
snapped open.
"Shut up" he roughly commanded.
"Oh. mercy!" murmured Nell.
The man laughed. $50 you can d.
more than screech." he said.
Theodora's fear vanished In indignn
ton, the cool impudence of him. Eye
flashing, she advanced TO the telC
phone.
station No. 8, and at once" sh
called.
Daringly, with one spring the In
truder jumped to his feet.
"Womenl" he exclaimed, "and
thought 1t was the parrot" But Dor
was giving her message.
"Sand nm officer TO the Randley, M
II, at once" she demanded.
Comprehension dawned in the man
kcs.
Pardon me-" he said with snil
"AId am TO be the er-object OF n
officers visit? Or may / ask que
tion2 Who are you both and how
you happen to enter my friends hon
at midnight?"
"Your friend's2" gasped the girls