Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-17
DAILY NOVELETTE,
MANS BURGLAR
BY GLADYS p. ANDERSON

| u
and surged the great Atlantic. The
waves floating an occasional fishing ves-
sci were all that passed before her win
dows Nan was not an old woman.
somewhere between twenty-eight and
thirty. She lived alone and kept the
old bouse in good order. Always on
Saturdays she drove to the village three
miles away for groceries; on Sundays
she drove as regularly TO church. These
simple excursions were all that bright
ened her life.
There was only one other house near
hers, the Hansons', and they had been
on unfriendly terms for years. Once
the son, Dick Hanson, had paid attention
to Nan, and Dicks mother had inter-
fered and broken off the engagement.
There wasn't a prettier girl at Rocky
Coast than Nan Gray, still she had
never married since Dick Hanson left
town.
There were times as the years went
on that she longed for him to come
again. She was often afraid alone in
her house, especially in the winter time
She confessed her fears TO no one, hard
ly to herself
what good does it do to be afraid?
I've got to live alone and there's no way
out of It," she said.
Often, when the murmur of the waves
arose to, a roar and the winter winds
were shaking the walls Nan would ex-
tinguish her light and shading her eyes
press her face close to the window, but
she could see nothing but the wild storm
outside. 1t was one Of the widest
storms that ever visited Rocky Coast.
The earth looked like a white ocean
frozen suddenly in the midst of a
tumult of rage.
Nan had heaped her stove with the
last of her wood, but she feared it
would burn out before morning. There
was no water in the house, and no path
to the we'll A sense of utter loneliness
smote her as she sat alone that evening
listening to the roaring Of the wind and
the breaking of the waves. At s o'clock
she went upstairs to bed. 1t was a long
time before she went to sleep; then she
slept soundly for few hours. 1t was
perhaps o'clock when she awoke with
a deadly terror.
There was some one in the house. She
lay still, listening fearfully. She heard
movements soft and guarded. Later on
she heard the pump out in the yard,
which had peculiar creak Presently,
the first cold glimmer of dawn was in
the room and she heard a door shut
below--then everything was still. She
thought of her mothers silver teaspoons
and the gold watch which had belonged
to her father. OF course they were
gone, but when she reached the kitchen
she gasped and stared.
A bright fire was burning in the stove
and the room was full Of the aroma of
coffee. pan of warm biscuits sat on
the stove.
In the frying pan was bit Of beef
steak all ready to cook.
The water pail was full Of fresh
water and the wood box was piled
high with d&y wood. outside the storm
was raging. but the kitchen seemed like
a little oasis of warmth and comfort In
the midst of it.
Nan tried to think who had done It
but she was entirely at loss. She
thought the food might be poisoned
The next night Nan retired early, to
awaken as she had done the night be-
FORE at sounds below. She got out OF
bed, and throwing her kimono hastily
about her, she groped her way to ar
old-fashioned chest which had belonged
to her father. and drew forth an old
rusty revolver. 'Tt may do to scare
them away" Nan thought, as She
started down stairs. When she opened
the kitchen door, her face was ghastIy
The fire was burning, and the tea
kettle boiling.
She had only a vision of a figure
darting swiftly into the pantry. Nar
sprang to the pantry door and drew
the bolt. A cold shiver ran over her
"Who are you?" she finally asked.
There was no response. Then she
spoke again, who are your
Cant you guess, Nan?" came a
, feeble voice from the pantry.
| She hurriedly unbolted the pantry
door.
in heavens name, what are you do
ing here?" she demanded, dropping tn,
revolver to the floor.
Dick Hanson, emerging from tn,
pantry, looked at once shamefaced an,
= self-assertive.
. 'Wait, Nan. until I explain Mothe
thought of you over here all alone IL
this terrible storm and she couldn'
stand 1t. just came home last nigh,
thought you might be in need O
who'd, so I came over early. Hoy
neat everything Is here" he went on
his voice gathering firmness In spit
of his agitation, which made him trembl
from head to foot.
Where have you been all these years
Dick?" Nan asked.
! "All over the world, Nan. I enljste,
in the navy when I left home" Die
approached Nan and put his arm
q around her.
: Haven't you been afraid here al
Eyes, / have but didn't think yo,
{ II did" he answered. You're no
= going to be left here alone any longer
Nan"
son looked in. Dicks face showed owe
!. Mans shoulder.
p Bless you, my children" said the oil
lady, her face beaming with friendli
ness and 1t was suddenly borne in upo
the consciousness of Nan Gray that low
& and kindness were not such stranger
n at Rocky Coast as she had thought.
(The next complete novelette,"
! Shopping Spree.O