The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-03-08

ohc ieCtiicN llluI 0TuCe iiuu 81 Cuiieu
her neighbor. "Mrs. Miller, what
shall we do about it2" and almost as
Cynthia spoke, the lights blazed on.
For one long moment she stood
whitc-faced and alone in the glare,
then rs suddenly was again left in
darkness.
Fer knees failed her now, as she
sank back upon the hammock. There
was no doubt about 1t. A thief had
discovered her, helplessness, and had
also located the thick roll Of bills
in her bag. Stcalthily. yet unmistaE-
ably, came the sound OF some one
moving up tho rough stair. She could
distinctly hear the munlcd breathing,
tie puuscs made rs If to listen.
"Who is there?" she cried, her voice
shaking. Silence answered. Then,
presently, on again came the shuflllng
across the boards, nearer, arer. If
thcre were only gimme ? light,
that she might find way to escape.
To wait In the darkness was unbear-
able
From the amphitheatcr 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 worry side. Desperately
Cynthia arose and CROPPED along the
railing. At the front was pillar. Il
round, Ncranda pillar IF 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-hcclcd white slipper felt its
way then Cynthia slipped safely and
brcathcssly to the ground
Swift rs her own descent tho lights
flarcd on again. and she found her
self staring wldc.cycd ana startled
into tho hcwildcrcd face of man
crouchcd upon the lower step
"Hy Jovc" muttcrcd the man.
"Iou-you coward !" burst out Gym
thia
Whether It was the Suddcnnoss Of
hcr downward flight or the uncXpcct-
cd proximity Of the burglar which
changed Cynthia's fright to ndgna-
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 un-
protected" she accused, "and so you
thought"
where IS Mrs. Miller?" the man
brusquely interrupted.
Cynthia stood specchless at the
GOODNESS Of the question. 1t 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 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
darkcned 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, q 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 dcsccnds 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-thc jungle
but for real excitement this night
beats 1t ALL"
In growing trepidatlon, CYNTHIA
sank Imply down upon the step Mt
the intrudcr's side. One drawlcd sem
tcncc fingered in her mind. At Mrs.
Millcr's house, he had said he was
assigned to be entertained"
The mans appearance under sane
inspection was decidedly not that of
burglar. Mocling the shocked gray
ity of his face, his dark eyes twinkled
humoronsly.
"Who-are you?" faltcrcd Cynthia.
my name" he replied. SIS Raymond
Randall. My mission here to dilate
upon present remedy for the Ills Of
the universe in general"
Across Cynthia's mentality flashed
memory OF n certain perfectly pre-
pared speech OF Introduction; also, OF
one gray dcmure dress suitable for
the occasion
"The noted DR.. Randal?" she
gaspcd
He leaned back and smiled at her
awestrucl face.
"Why, I don't know" he remarked.
"a few moments ago you addressed
me as coward"
Then Cynthia in quick cpmpunction
told the story Of her evening; creak-
inGly the screen door opened behind
the two as they sat. and great bull