The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-02
EVENING STORY
Friend Burglar.
BY r. RAY BAKER.
Il. ft.t.A ~.

ted that the distance was PROBABLY no
more than one.
The snap of the twig was ominous.
and the light was weird, casting long,
fantastic shadows that cavorted above
ard around the trees in a way to give
one a creepy sensation. Inez expert
enced chills all over her body and her
teeth chartered. She felt herself sink
ing to the ground. weak from fright.
but managed to steady herself by
backing against the trunk Of tree.
Her nerves somewhat Gained by the
brace, she clasped a weapon in her
right hand and waited. The weapon
was one of those long. sharp instru-
ments used to keep hats from blowing
from heads.
Two more twigs were released from
pressure and voiced resentment at pc
ing crushed by a foot The hght
flashed on again and remained steady.
rncnner as If determined that no OBJ
iect, large or small-should so unre7
But a bush interposed between Inez
and the flashlight, which tried in vain
to penetrate to the place where she
was standing.
Some more noisy twigs indicated the
holder of the light was approaching
with steady strides. She, held her
ground, determined to put up fight.
Presently tn e brush was PHsnHo
back and the sweeping arc of light al
most found the girl. A hand reached
out in front of the hullseye and point
ed a formidable looking object at her
"a long, narrow object that re1lecteo
the light. go
harsh masculine voice. I've got you
covered. ="
The hatpin fell from the girls
neryeless grasp and she trembled
again. She was as good as dead, she
feIt convinced. Even in those mo-
ments Of what appeared to be dire per-
IL she chided herself for so recklessIy
venturing into the haunts of the motel
burglar She should have known ne
would be lurking somewhere In the
Avonshlre woods, waiting Tor night 10
come 20 he could ply his trade.
A spirit of adventure, however nao
prompted her to accept Bessie Elv-
ridges dare to walk alone thru the
woods back to the hotel ana run
chances of meeting friend burglar
as she loosely called him.
She had started out bravely enough
but as darkness approached and she
saw no signs that she was approach,
ing the hotel she became more ana
more apprehensive-
Finally she was forced to the belief
that she was lost, and had wandered
about aimlessly until she came across
the dark gen in which she was nov
being obliged to pay for her intre-
II was a foolr' she told herself,
while her teeth ratified. I'm in the
worst plight imaginable. Here !
stand, helpless before that desperate
man who has terrorized the resort Tor
three weeks"
The light found her and rested on
her a few seconds. 1t showed slim,
lignt-haired girl, with a small, rather
round face. standing at bay, back
against a tree. Her big hat was tilted
on one side of her head with a rakish-
ness that was not intended.
A laugh came from the man with
the light, whom she could not see
Inez shuddered.
"A girl" exclaimed the harsh voice.
"A grill apd-by George! it's 1nez
Lawton"
She started. Surely this robber
could not know her.
who are you?" she demanded in
as firm tones as she could muster.
He turned the light on his own
| face. She almost screamed, but she
manager to stifle it, so that the sound
| that came from her throat was more
like a gasp or groan.
Chester Straight" she said weakly.
| Ou-yOu OF all mem 10 tia
| you-that you
The situation was too much for her.
| The intense fear she had experienced,
coupled with the revelation that the
man who stood before her was the
one she had once promised to marry,
| overcame her. Inez Lawton, for the
| first time in her life, knew what IL
was to faint.
Chester Straight had attended col
| lege with her and while they had not
| fallen in love at first sight it had not
taken them long to become seriously
| fond of each other. One the day they
were graduated they became engaged.
and Inez went to her own home to
! tea CHI music and wait for him to make
name for himself. and some worldly
wealth to go with it. A year later
| Chester wrote her that the proposed
marriage could never be, because he
! had contracted tuberculosis; so he re-
leased her from her obligation.
Don't expect to hear from me
| again." he wrote. Il must wipe the
memory OF you from my mind" He
insisted that she keep the ring, and
she did.
That was the last letter she ever
received from him. but she wore the
token of their engagement. deciding
never to marry SO long as she could
not have the one man she cared for.
Two years after the last word from
on a tour of the west, which brought
them to the little resort in the foothills
! of the Rockies.
When Inez regained consciousness
she was lying on her back. a wet
handkerchief pressed against her fore
head. When the nausea that accom-
panies a faint had passed she began
to take interest in her surrounding
and discovered that her head was pill
lowed in Chester's lap. They were or
the shore of a small lake, on which
the moonlight was dancing.
Don't move" cautioned that harsh
voice You'll soon feel better"
Horrorsl Remain passive with hel
head in a burglars lap? Never She
struggled to her feet. where she
swayed giddily but gradually regain
ing strength.
where's that-that gun? ?" she
asked TREMENDOUSLY.
..LIc-n tnol