Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-23
THE EVENING STORY

under the bed at the foot. The nois
she heard was that box being moved
ever so slightly. Something -scrne-
body was In the room!
What should she do? Her beaded
bag. with 500 note, was in the top
drawer OF her dressing table. and tn
the unlocked jewel box was her beau
tiful diamond ring-Frcd's gift But
why let her mind dwell on things when
life itself was In danger? How could
she escape?
II she got up she would probably be
seized and choked 10 death before she
could unlock and unbolt her door. Her
screams would bring help. but no one
! could get In in time. r sh. feigned
sleep she m.Ght be killed where si1a
lay! Which death was preferable? Sh.
tried to draw a long b.eath-to relay
to think clearly
A desperate scheme presented itself.
"Oh--um," she yawned sofsiy. az
uni"
A pause. "oh-um" sh, yawncd
again and fearfully turned on her bed
side light.
Fearfu.!y she listened. No sound
She could almost feel thick, hairy
hands selling her. She nust-she
must get up. Summonirg all her win
power. she swung her bare ankles out
Of bed and stood on her feet. Acts
ally sick with fright. she steadied her.
self with one hand against tbs
wall and the other fumb.ed with KEY
and bolt. How long it took to open
the door, She dared not look behind
her. but she was sure she heard the
noise again as she turned the knob.
/ Was he-i.-somethinS --behind her?
| Out at last. she darted down the
hall TO her mothers room and flung
herself sobb:ng on her sleeping parent.
What's the natter" asked that
alarmed lady.
"a man under my bed," Olivia Sob
bed Father. 60 kill him. quick"
Without waiting for dressing gown
or slippers Mr.. MAYNARD armed him
self and hurried down the hall.
| Don't leave me. mother" Olivia
sobbed as her mother started TO follow.
Stay here with baby. Helen" her
You come out from under there"
she heard her fathers voice In be.lig-
erent tones. You're covered"
Send a whole posse Of policemen"
she heard her mothers excited voice
talking over the hall phone. There's
a burglar under the bed"
And then suspense Minutes which
seemed hours dragged By. Father
stood, his pistol menacing whatever
should come from under the bed. But
nothing came. Presently four big.
strong guardians of the Law appeared
on the scene and took their places
though drilled for Just such an occa-
sion.
Get out o. there. see you!" g-owled
the biggest policeman. bending down
and peering under the edges of the
lacy Counterpart.
Then he rose. a terrifying expression
| on his raddy face.
| Hes there. I can see his eyes" he
| reported. Then. Move the bed. boys"
ne ordered. sternly.
| As one man they obeyed The mis-
| creant was revealed. his feet against
the box which had moved and be-
trayed him. Boldly. defiantly. he eyed
| his captors. Then Meow" apologized
he. raising slowly and stretching 70 his
fun height.
Mr. Maynards pistol dropped from
his nerveleSs hand and clattered to the
floor. Fortunately 1t did not explode,
as he had forgotten to load it,
Olivia. suddenly conscious Of bare
feet and insufficient apparel. seized her
pet In her arms and disappeared.
IF you boys viii come down IN the
dining room. I'll see IL can't ftx you
up some sandwiches" suggested the
crestfallen father. I'm sorry VIC put
you to so much trouble"
NO trouble at all" the thirstiest-
looking policeman assured him. genial
~. IT'S al In nights work"
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