The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-11-17

'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 en-.
For one long moment she stood
white-faced and alone In the glare,
then as suddenly was ngain left in
darkness
Her knees failed her now, as she
sank back upon the hammock. There
was no doubt about it, 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 mufIled breathing,
the pauses 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 groped along the
railing. At the front was a pillar. a
round. veranda pillar. II she could
find this, clasp her arms about 1t 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 its
way, then Cynthia slipped safely and
breathlessly to the ground.
Swift as her own descent the lights
flared on again, and she found her
self staring wide-eyed and startled
into the bewildered face of man
crouched upon the lower step.
"By Jovc!' muttered the man.
"You-you coward !" burst out Gym
thia.
Whether it was the suddenness of
her downward flight or the unexpect-
ed proximity of the burglar which
changed Cynthia's fright to indigna-
tion, she could not tell but she
stamped her white shoe on the ground
and faced the shrinking young man.
'You knew 1 was here alone and I'M
protected" she accused, land so you
thought"
where is Mrs. Miller?" the man
brusquely interrupted.
Cynthia stood speechless at the
coolness of the question. 1t was evil
dent that her ruse as to q companion
had deceived him. Perhaps it would
be wise to still carry it on.
Because" the man continued,
quietly. "if Mrs. Miller is inside, I
would like to speak to her. She may
be able to explain the eccentricities
of this religious Assembly; where
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 out 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, flying
female figure descends upon him, in
glare of sudden light, from above"
The young man mopped his brow.
I've been over good bit of the
earth," he said. "India-the jungle
but for real excitement this night
beats It ALL"
In growing trepidation, Cynthia
sank Imply down upon the step at
the intruder's side. One drawled SEN
tence fingered in her mind. At Mrs.
Mlller'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 grav-
ity of his face. his dark eyes twinkled
humorously.
"Who-are your" faltered Cynthia.
my name" he replied. "ls Raymond
Randall. My mission here to dilate
upon a present remedy for the ills of
the universe in general"
Across Cynthia's mentality flashed
memory of a 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 hack and smiled at her
awestruck face.
"Why. don't Know" he remarked
"A few moments ago you addressed
me as coward"
Then Cynthia in quick compunction
told the story of her evening; creak-
ingly the screen door opened behind
the two os they SAT and a preat huIl-
dog lounged out upon the veranda,
shuffling as he came and breathing
heavily.
"The dog from next doorr cried
the girl.
"Your burglar" said the man.
Far away the singing ceased; home
ward to other verandas came the AS