Williams news., 1919-08-29
Friend Burglar
 + By R. RAY BAKER

1neZ LdWlOH JuIHpeu. IL SeeIHeu lIdI she went at least three feet straight up, but she afterward admitted 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 and around the trees in way to give one a creepy sensation. Inez experi- enced chills all over her body and her teeth chattered. She felt herself sink ing to the ground, weak from fright. but managed To steady herself by back ing against the trunk of tree:
 Her nerves somewhat calmed by the brace, she clasped weapon in her right hand and waited. The weapon was one of those long, sharp instru- ments used to keep hats from blow ing from heads.
 Two more twigs were released from pressure and voiced resentment at being crushed by foot The light flashed on again and remained steady, circling round the glen in a menacing manner as if determined that no ob- ject, large or small, should go unre- vealed.
 But bush tnterposed 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 a fight.
 Presently the brush was pushed back and the sweeping arc of light almost tho pi Fl in front of the bullseye and pointed a formidable looking object at her-a long, narrow object that reflected the light.
 Don't dare to move 1" warned a harsh masculine voice. I've got you covered"
 The hatpin fell from the girls nerve less grasp and she trembled again. She was as good as dead, she felt con vinced. Even in those moments ot what appeared to be dire peril she chided herself for so recklessly ven turing into the haunts of the hotel burglar. She should have known he would be lurking somewhere in the Avonshire woods, waiting for night to come so he could ply his trade.
 A spirit of adventure, however, had prompted her to accept Bessie Elv- ridges dare to walk alone through the woods. back to the. hotel and run chances of meeting friend burglar" as she jocosely called him.
 She had started out travely enough, but as darkness approached and she saw no signs that she was approach ing the hotel she became more and more apprehensive.
 Finally she was forced to the belief that she was lost, and had wandered nbout aimlessly until she came across the dark glen in which she was now being obliged to pay for her intrepid ity.
 '1 was a fooll'' she told herself, while her teeth rattled. I'm in the worst plight imaginable. Here I stand helpless before that desperate man who has terrorized the resort for three weeks"
 The light found her and rested on her few seconds. It showed a slim. light-haired girl, with a small, rather round face, standing at bay, back against 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. Lawton !''
 could not know her.
 ''Who arc your" she demanded in as firm tones as she could muster
 IT &l,o
 She almost screamed, but she man nged to stifie it, so that the sound that came from her throat was more like q gasp or groan.
 Chester Straight p she said weakly. ''You-you of all men To think that 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, over came her. Inez Lawton. for the first time in her. life, knew what it 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. On the day they were graduated they became engaged. and Inez went to her own home to teach music and wait for him to make a name for himself. and some worldly wealth to go with it. 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 rgain," he wrote. q must wipe the