The Nevada County picayune., 1918-04-25
CHAPTER lV.-Continued.

All the time I was listening my mind was occupied with trying to &C., oount for the thrill which had jolted mo when had taken Lucile's hands in mine at the top of the staircase. 1 dacded to put my fortunes to the test. would sit up until Bopp went to bed end then ask her to marry me.
 Kent. the telephone man, retired first.
 "I think I'll sit up awhile" l said, stealing a look at Lucille and hoping that she would comprehend my inten. ton.
 If you're going to sit up I'll stick" said Bopp, with Machiayellian cordial ity I'll split gallon of water with you.'
 There we sat, and we drank glass after glass of water until Il o'clock. Then Lucille decided to retire and spoil sd the whole game.
 q guess I'll turn in now, too" sug- eested tentatively, hoping at least that would get chance to speak to her on the stairs
 But, no. Bopp developed sudden iondness for my society and accompa- nied me to my room and sat on my bed for awhile talking about affairs the strical assuming that was interested in them, which I was not.
 When be finally departed the house was dark and the wind of the storm made unearthly noises around the caves. was more tired than l re- membered to have been for years, but not sleepy. I don't know whether 1t was actual hunger or merely the idea that had not eaten anything for for weight hours which haunted me. At any rate every time that I closed my eyes I'd have a vision of those dog biscuits. l might just as well have pictured a chocolate cake or a dough nu. to myself; but, no-it was a dog biscuit
 After an hour or so of that kind of torture at last decided to satisfy my fool imagination by showing 1t dog biscuit in the life and proving that 1t was not desirable at all. That was the only reason that went downstairs. It was rather dcklish business roam Ing around a strange house wearing no other padding than a suit of pajamas banged my shins unmercifully against several hundred pieces of fur nlture, but I toned my remarks there at to pitch below the bowling of the storm. An occasional flash of light nins helped me momentarily from time to time but left me laundering In the intervals.
 Finally in the kitchen. l groped my way to the shelf. and the box of dog biscuit was in my hands Furdvely took enc out, fondled 1t and sniffed It. Being alone there with that unpro- teeted dog biscuit was too much for my moral courage. l decided to throw oonor to the winds. There was so much wind and so little honor that no one would notice 1t.
 set my teeth In the dog biscuit! Suddenly there was sound on the stairway. listened intently-the creak- tng of stair.
 Who could 1t be? Possibly 1t was hent, tho cxwire tapper. His early Ha.u!rG might have proved too much TOT h'T md he had decided to loot 'he place and make his escape. l made np ny mind to behave valiantly and fasped q dog biscuit firmly in one hnf determined to sell my life as deaf'y as was consistent with the high cost O. living. The box containing ths 'esl Of the biscuit I put back on the snef and crouched behind the stove, 'esny to spring at the intruder un- swares as soon as he entered.
 had one of those flashes of insane oeaYery which Is nine-tenths fear when
 | saw the light of pocket lantern Nfa~ ing along the wall at the foot VI the stairs. I jumped four, feet sualsht up in the air when something "et touched the sole of my bare foot
 ~nlch was extended behind me as sneit behind the stove. My exclama- sOu was drowned in a crash of thun- ueF' Burglar or no burglar, l was aoout to run to him for protection .som that clammy thing which had ouched me when a second flash of Aenthlhg showed mech, horrors! It
 was Iootles frisking around my feet.