San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-06
GAIN that stealthy sound !!

mOOHlcSS night. ouiy ldinI otdl
light from the windows.
The door into the hall was open.
But beyond-only battling black
hess.
Again-a step? No, it MUST be
Pussy Purr-Mew. Nosing round the
hall table-the drawer that held her
catnip.
Then engulfing terror! An I'M
mistakable step! A cautious, furtive
step.
Her hand stole out to grip War
rem. No, she must not wake him !!
He would rush QUITO an armed
burglar.
A clink Of silver! From the din
ing room.
Her stifled screams choked her
throat. Her trembling almost shook
the bed.
The papers were full of robberies
and hold-ups. Despcradoes who shot
at sight
Let him take everything Nothing
mattered but their lives.
Silence now. An agonized sill
ence.
A cushioned tread-creeping pear
or!
Unconsciously her hand clutched
Warren's arm. No, she must not
wake him. If they made no move,
no sound, they would be safe.
Her hands clenched under the
covers, with held breath she waited.
In the room now! She could feel
the menacing nearness.
A flashlight CLEAN!
Had he seen she was awake? Had
he flashed the light at the bed?
The clink of keys and coins was
momentarily reassuriig. He was
going through Warren's clothes on
the chair.
Would he flash the light again?
Would her quivering eyelids betray
her?
Could he hear her humping heart?
warren's deep, audible breathing
was a greateful protection.
Her throat was dry, parched. She
dared not swallow.
What was he doing now? Had he
found the wallet?
Again the flashlight! A red glow
through her closed lids.
Then darkness. A fcarsome, palpi-
tating stiffness.
A jingling clatter! Something.
dropped-Warren's keys! -..
, "Eh" Warren stirred. Whats
that?"
She must feign sleep-their only
safety. He would doze off again
he must.
If she could let him know some
one was in the room-yet warn him
not to move. Some signal No,
he would never lie quietly. He
would rush at the intruder UNI
armed.
Always quick to drop back to
sleep, in a moment he was again
breathing stertorOusly.
She must swallow. Her throat
ached with terror and strangled
screams.
Again a stealthy step-retreating.
Through half-clOsed lids she saw
a dark form move cautiously to the
door.
In the hall now, Then back to
the dining room.
Her ears keenly attuned to the
creeping steps.
A crash-a shivering OF china
Something from the sideboard.
whats that"
Before she could warn him, War
rem was out Of bed making for the
dining room.
wait, watt" she screamed.
"Don't 90 in there-don't--"
Hands up!" came a muffled
voice from the hall.
Ignoring the order, Warren lunged
forward.
"Stick 'em up or I'll pump you
both full of lead. Now keep 'em
up"
The dim light from the dining
room windows revealed q black
mask and cleaning revolver.
Keeping them covered, slowly he
backed down the dark hall. Around
the turn-and out Of sight.
mo, mol" Historically she
clutchcd at Warren as he started
forward.
Then pandemonium!
A loud feline hiss 4 heavy fall,
n shetland Pussy Purr-Mew came
dashing from the hall, her wild eyes
phosphorescent in the darkness.
wait, wait :" shrieked Helen.
Flinging her off, Warren plunged
down the hall, and lcaped on the
intruder as he struggled to his feet.
"Put on the lights !"
Helen's trcmulous fingers could
hardly press the button.
Warren had the man on the floor,
holding him down with an iron grip.
"You're-you're not hurt?" she
brcathcd.
THAT cat must've tripped him
gun went off when he dropped it.
Where is il? There, by the door
hand il here!"
Gingerly she picked up the
weapon.
Now keep quiet-or I'll bean
you! You'll do n stretch for this.
Get Henryl Have him call an Of
ficer-onc on the next corDer.p