The Lamar register., 1919-03-19
WHAT A NIGHT!
--%-
BY LINCOLN RoTHBlUM


fall. accompanied by q freak blizzard
sweeping down from Newfoundland.
had buried the entire city In a heavy
blanket OF white. II was but nine
O'Clock this Saturday night and the
elements. unrestrained. played at will
In the empty streets.
Doris. wrapped up In . bathrobe Of
carmen-colored corduroy, pushed the
hsssock closer to the fire and snuggled
In the comfortable warmth of the burn
ing logs.
Just q year ago tonight" she muir
INJURED drsamlly. but II was not so
cold"
Come. sis." demonstrated a comely
lad of sixteen, who squatted Indian
fashion. close by her, you mustn't al
ways figure how long II is since that
day. I'm big enough to know what
men do. and I'll bet my new rife Stan
ley Chalmers amt no coward. What'ii
you bet3"
The hoy extended his cramped legs.
and cooking them up before him.
clasped his hands about his knees. He
knew he would again hear the entire
uttbhut VI why ni> >istti bi'ht hti
engagement with Stanley Chalmers.
and he wanted to he comfortable dur
ing the recital.
1T Was not so cold as Il II tonight"
Doris began, as II reciting welt
learned lesson, "when We turned the
corner Of Dorchester and Sarton
streets. He had just been telling me
be would protect me from all Ill, when
a horribie-iooking fellow bumped Into
me and swore out a terrible oath. !
surely expected Stanley would knock
him down. but all he did was grab my
arm and hustle me on"
when we got home" she continued,
pulling the bathrobe closer about her.
''you were In the hall and heard me
tell him could never marry Q cow
ard"
Jaw, guess I'll get some more
wood" Bob answered practically. and
In an effort TO change the subject. "the
nre's dying down"
In a few moments Bob returned from
the kitchen. his arms laden with rough
ly chopped pine boughs. As he crossed
the threshold between the two rooms
the upper regions OF the house n terrif-
lc crash rsverberHted. The wood
dropped from his arms and he dashed
across the room swiftly TO his sister.
What is IT." his lips formed the
words his voice refused to utter
1--WE must see who Il Is" she whiS-
pered. thoroughly frightened. and
Erssped the rod used to stir up the
enber>.
They must get help. With n dash
through the short hall. they threw open
the porch door. Doris shrill call was
lost in the shrieks OF the wind
What went theref Was that a man.
bucking the galei Was that figure
enveloped In a great coat II reaA man
sent by Providence to help them in
their predicament? Would he pass
their housef Did he not hear them'
Help, Helpr they called out in
unison. "we're being robbed, There's
a murderer upstairs Help"
The man did hear. He was turning
He was coming towards them. As he
vaulted the low stoop. Bob pointed.
upstairs"
He cleared the nrst three steps with
a single bound, ignoring the poker
Doris mutely held out. Better that
than nothing she subconsciously
thought, and followed up In his wake.
Into one bedroom and then the other
he cast the glare Of his pocket fash
light. Under the beds and In the clos
cts. no corner escaped his rigid In
spection. And then Into the bathroom.
The door stubbornly refused TO open.
Someone was holding II. They en-
tered the bathroom and the door
banged tight as the fashlight went out.
Alone in a dark bathroom with a
stranss man and burglar
What q night
Doris screamed.
The man located the electric switch
and light filled the room. A slight stir
against the opposite wall brought them