Smyrna times., 1918-05-22
THE INTRUDER
BY AGNES G. 8RoeAN.

Harry was going to New York on
business, and this would be Janet's |
hrst opportunity to visit her home, |
since marriage. rhe one difficulty |
was in leaving the new apartment va
cant in winter. Janet was afraid that |
the water pipes might freeze, and it |
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 sound of promise.
Hello, Janey," called a tone of pc
culiar- sweetness, "yOu will never
guess who this is, so I'll tell you. Your
old college sister, Theodore; and am
On my way home from a trip with
Nell Truesdale. Could you keep me
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
to stay and keep house in the apart
ment during her absence; a mutual
exchange of accommodations, the new
experience for the girls, care for her
plants, aid pet. SO whel the girls
came all was quickly and satisfactorily
arranged. JOyOusly her friends escort
ed Janet to the trolley.
"YOu can rely upon us" they as
sIred her, 1--WE will keep the gas go
ing in the furnace, aLd have every
hing in readiness for your return"
Nell Truesdale eagerly scanned the
evenings theatrical notices while
Theodore attended to the electric cOf-
fee pot.
Isn't it delightful, being alone like
this?" she said. mo one to entertain
Us as we do not wish to be enter
ained. The only thing that troubles
ne, Neil, is a fear of burglars. Obi
you needn't smile," as her friends
lip curled sarcastically, 1--WE have been
.eading enough about apartment
thieves. Couldn't we leave all the
'OOms lighted, so that when we return
1t late hour tonight there will be no
fearsOme dark corners?
mot a single light" Nell answered
/ i |. A. -
Keep house for Janey, running up her
electric light bills. We will press the
lighting button in the entrance hall
when we return. If it will then ease
your mind, you may sit at the tele-
phone ready to give the alarm while
explore hidden corners" Nell was
aughing, but TheOdOra's lovely face
expressed apprehension, as the two
vent into the night.
A man stumbling later, up the same
larkened stairway, fitted first one key
md then another, without success. A
moment longer he persisted, then
made his way to q 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.
ooh" screamed Nancy.
"Shut up" the man GROSSLY shouted
and watching the smoke rise from his
cigar, he unexpectedly fell asleep.
Perhaps Nell was not as brave as
she would have her friend believe. Al
my 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
"SmOke" breathed Dora.
Cigar smoke" echoed Nell. The!
stood for a moment transfxed, ther
hand in hand moved into the room to
yether. AS the reclining manly figur
net their gaze, Dora screamed
,mothered 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 inGigna
ion. the cool impudence of him! Eye
aashing, she advanced to the tel'
phone.
"Station No. 9, aud at once" sl
:alled.
Daringly, with one spring the IL
ruder jumped to his feet.
"Yomen" he exclaimed, "and
5.,ught it was the parrot" But Dor
vas giving her message.
"Send an officer to the Randley, N
p. at once" she demanded. -
Comprehension dawned in the man
ACE.
Pardon me-" he said with smil
And I am to be tine er-Object of IL
,ficers visit? Or may 1 ask que
ion? Who are you both and how
you happen to enter my friends hon
1t midnight"
w euso,,d,e ~, e,oSDed thQ girls