The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1922-02-02
THE TlmID ONE
--->
sy MILDRED WHITE.


our OF Il. Nell All your young lIf
you have been dreading a possible bur
glar that never came. and now be
cause we happen to spend night Il
lonely small town hotel. you are Ger
tain the burglars hour has arrived
and that he viii appear the moment
leave you alone to annex your belong
ings. Is Il the new diamond ring tha
you are specially fearful of loslngY'
Its not what he might take thai
4 disturbs me-" Nell told her friend
It's what the shock Of seeing hin
would be for me. I'd probably kee
over. unable to cry for help, and ex
pire before his eyes. For. you must
ADMIT, Hon0ra the brave, thai this
Town is a desoiate hole and the best
location IN the world for thievinR."
Honora threw out her hands In
despair.
you are the limltr she exclaimed
IF you feel that your night is likely
TO be made miserable by the sight of
your own shadow. will persuade the
manager to put a cot for me in your
room. As an Instructor In physical
training, think I'd be able to hold
my own and yours, too, against an In
truder. You might at least be able to
screech while kept busy"
Nell laughed. "Oh, will promise
to go to sleep and be good child" she
promised sweetly.
But when Nell was alone In the
silent room with its long windows
opening on the veranda roof, she
peeked covertly out into the darkness
and then securely fastened her door.
A second window near her own opened
out from the end Of the dimly lighted
upper hall. She hummed bravely as
she slippedtinto china-bIue kimono.
and loosened her short thick hair. Very
much like a small frightened child Nell
looked. squatted In the middle Of the
hotel bed re-reading mothers last let
ter: Try" wrote mother. mot to be
a little coward on your trip; but forget
timidity and enjoy things with
HOnora."
Nell thought fondly OF Honora, so
big and capable and kind. Small,
dainty and wide-eyed, Nell beheld her
self In the mirror Then-horror of
horrors she beheld also reflected
there mans skulking figure huddled
on the veranda roof outside. This
man appeared to be coming from the
hall window nearby. Nelrs long
dreaded burglar had arrived. She I
was able TO continue the humImng Of |
her song naturally. as she method |
ically replaced the letter, and careless
ly turned toward the door. AS she |
closed It hurriedly upon the outside.
gentlemanly person. apparently a hotel
guest, came from the direction Of a
room opposite.
beg pardon said this man. and |
bowed apologeticaIly. at sight Of Nell |
In her blue hmono. Eagerly. and re-
lievedly she ran to him. won't you
she begged. "step into my room for q
moment. ! am sure that ! saw man
skulking about on the veranda roof
outside the window; by this time he
may have entered There Is no ber
here TO ring for assistance, but perhaps
| could run down TO the office" Nell
paused confusedly.
The man was quick in action.
Il win go right in" he agreed
walt a moment. other help may
not be necessary" His perplexed
tones came to her presently from the
Veranda roof outside There is no
one here" called the man, cor in your
room. either. May have been a servant
1ut to close a window or something
Ike that" Apprehensive still. Nell
1entured step or two inside the door
However" her rescuer smflingly as
'ured her, 'I viii report the matter
downstairs so that you may be sure
II protection for the night" He stood
! moment looking down qulszically.
Are you alonef" he asked abruptly.
"Honora and l." Nell explained. "are
raveing together. Her room Is the
econd one down the hall. Honora."
he laughed shamefacedly. "wouId not
ave been afraid Of any possible bur
lar think she would be able to
rotect herself anywhere. But +"
Nell shook her head helplessly-sI
ust run for projections she said.
Tho man grinned. sand get II. !
et," he answered.
Nell nodded assent happily. "see
ow nicely you came b my relief to-
ight." her eyes met his gratefully.
"And you are not afraid nOwr'
sked the man.
-Not at all," shs earnestly told him.
e laughed shortly.
"Well, good night and pleaaant
reams." he said and don't you ever
afraid Of burglars anywhere; they
ont bother you
Goodnight" Nell rospondsd cheer.
lily. She smiled at him as she closed
o door.
Later, she sat up suddenly In her
ID. Stealthy footsteps undoubtedly
ere passing down the hall. AS she
apped on the light she saw beneath
e crack Of her door a broad white
vel0pe.
-.