Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-12-29

y
ing, that might intimidate him She
would see.
Mrs. Miller" she called loudly.
She recalled that Grace had so called
her neighbor. Mrs. Miller, what
shall we do about it?" and almost as
Cynthia spoke. the lights blazed on
For one long moment she stood
white-faced and alone in the glare,
then as suddenly was again left in
darkness.
Her knees failed her now, as she
sank back upon the hammock. There
was no doubt about it. A thief had
discovered her helplessness. and had
also located the thick roll of bills
in her bag. Stealthily, yet unmistak-
ably, came the sound of some one
moving up the rough stair. She could
distinctly hear the muf1led breathing,
the panses made as if to listen.
"Who is there?" she cried. her voice
shaking. Silence answered. Then,
presently, on again came the shuffling
across the boards, nearer, nearer If
there were only glimmer of light.
that she might find way to escape.
To wait in the darkness was unbear-
able
From the amphitheater came the
song of hundred singers What use
to call for help If help were needed?
A heavy body brushed the screen
door at her very side. Desperately
Cynthia arose and CROPPED along the
railing. At the front was a pillar a
round, veranda pillar If she could
find this, clasp her arms about it and
slide TO the ground. She would try.
An instant she stood dangerously sus-
pended upon the narrow outer ledge.
One high-heeled white slipper felt It's
way, then Cynthia slipped safely and
breathlessly to the ground.
Swift as her own descent the lights
fiared on again. and she found her.
self staring wide-eyed and startled
into the bewldered face of man
crouched upon the lower step.
"By Jove!" muttered the man.
.You-you coward I" burst out Gym
thia.
Whether 1t was the suddenness Of
her downward flight or the unexpect-
ed proximity Of the burglar which
changed Cynthia's fright to indigna-
ton. she could not tell but she
stamped her white shoe on the ground
and faced the shrinking young man.
"You knew I was here alone and I'M
protected" she accused, "and so you
thought
where is Mrs. Miller?" the man
brusquely interrupted.
Cynthia stood speechless at the
GOODNESS OF the question. It was evil
dent that her ruse as to companion
had deceived him. Perhaps 1t would
be wise to still carry 1t on.
Because" the man continued
quietly. IF Mrs. Miller is inside.
would like to speak to her. She may
he able to explain the eccentricities
OF this religious Assembly; where a
man is left suddenly in the middle Of
darkened wood, to hit his head
against every tree that he passes en-
route to the home in which he Is as
signed to be entertained; and where.
from ont the darkness. voice mys-
teriously speaking Mrs Miller's name.
leads him to this abode. When he
congratulates himself upon locating
with difficulty the front step. a flying
female figure descends upon him. in
a glare of sudden light, from above"
The young man mopped his brow.
tive been over good bit of the
earth" he said. "India--the jungle
but for real excitement this night
beats II all"
Tn growing trepidation. Cynthia
sank Imply down upon the step at
the intruder's side. One drawled sen
tence fingered in her mind. At Mrs.
Miller's house, he had said. he was
assigned to be entertained
The mans appearance under sane
inspection was decidedly not that Of
burglar. Mocking the shocked gray
fly Of his face, his dark eyes twinkled
humorously.
"Wh0-are You" faltered Cynthia.
MY name" ne replied. sis. Raymond
Randall. My mission here to dlate
upon present remedy for the Ills Of
the. universe in general"
Across Cynthia's mentality flashed
a memory of certain perfectly pre-
pared speech of Introduction; also, of
one gray demure dress suitable FOR
the occasion.
'The noted DIR. Randall?" she
gasped.
He leaned back and smiled at her
awestruck face.
"Why, don't know" ne remarked.
"A few moments ago you addressed
me as coward
Then Cynthia in quick conjunction
told the story Of her evening; creak-
ingly the screen door opened behind
the two as they sat. and a great bull
dog lOunged out upon the veranda.
shutting as he came and breathing
heavily.
''The dog from next door !" cried
the girl.