Iron County register., 1922-05-25
THE TIMID ONE
BY MILDRED WHITE.

.'It is SO foolish said Honora, ITO
be afraid. You should try to grow
out Of it. Nell. All your young life
you have been dreading possible bur
glar that never came, and now be-
cause we happen to spend night in
lonely small town hotel, you are GER
tain the burglars hour has arrived,
and that, he will appear the moment l
leave you alone to annex your belong
ings. Is it the new diamond ring that
you are specially fearful of losing"
Its not what he might take that
disturbs me-" Nell told her friend.
''Its what the shock Of seeing him
would be for me. I'd probably keel
over, unable to cry for help, and ex-
pire before his eyes. For, you must
admit, Honora the brave, that this
town is a desolate hole and the best
location in the world for thieving."
Honora threw out her hands in
despair.
You are the limit" she exclaimed.
IF you feel that your night is likely
tc 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, l 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, l 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 slipped into a china-blue kimono
and loosened her short thick hair. Very
much like 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 a mans skulking figure huddled
on the veranda roof outside. This
man appeared to be coming from the
hall window nearby. Nell's long
dreaded burglar had arrived. She
was able to continue the humimng of
her song naturally, as she method
ically replaced the letter, and careless
Iy turned toward the door, AS she
closed it hurriedly upon the outside, a
gentlemanly person, apparently a hotel
guest, came from the direction of a
room opposite.
BEG pardon" said this man, and
bowed apologetically, at sight of Nell
in her blue kimono. Eagerly, and re-
lievedly she ran to him. wont you,
she begged, "step into my room for q
moment. / am sure that saw mar
skulking about on the veranda root
outside the window; by this time he
may have entered. There is no bel
here to ring for assistance, but perhaps
1 could run down to the office" Mel
paused confusedly.
The man was quick in action.
81 will go right in" he agreed.
'sWait moment, other help ma!
not be necessary" His perplexeG
tones came to her presently from th'
yeranda roof outside. "There is n,
one here" called the man, cor in you
room, either. May have been a servan
out to close a window or somethiI.
like that" Apprehensiye still, Mel
ventured a step or two inside the dool
"However," her rescuer smilingly as
sured her. II will report the matte
downstairs so that you may be sur
of protection for the night" He stoo
moment. looking down quizzicall.
'Are you alone?" he asked abruptly.
"Honora and l." Nell explained, "ar
travelling together. Her room is tn
second one down the hall. Honora,
she laughed shamefacedly, awould nc
have been. afraid of any possible bul
glar. / think she would be able t
protect herself anywhere. But T.
Nell shook her head helplessly-'
just run for protection" she said.
The man grinned. "And get 1t,
bet" he answered.
Nell nodded assent happily. "Se
how nicely you came to my relief t,
night" her eyes met his gratefully.
"And you are not afraid nowi
asked the man.
mot at ALL" she earnestly told hin
He laughed shortly.
well, good night and pleasaI
Dreams" he said. "And don't you eve
be afraid of burglars anywhere; the
won't bother you"
Goodnight Nell responded chee
fully. She smiled at him as she close
the door.
Later, she sat up suddenly in h,
bed. Stealthy footsteps undoubted
were passing down the hall. AS 81
snapped on the light she saw beneai
the crack of her door broad whil