The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1931-10-02
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Dreaded Hold-Up
Fizzled
By FRANCIS T. MecUTcHEN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
(6 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate,
furNIr garx,fno

- their married life in COllingswood
a year ago. In these short months
Billy had always spent his evenings
with his wife.
When Billy came down to breakfast
was not bright and cheerful as usual.
What's the matter, DEAR" asked
Billy.
"Oh, nothing much" said his wife.
I'm little nervous and unstrung.
You know, Billy, this will be the first
night since our marriage that we have
been parted"
Il know, honey. But I'll be back
for dinner tomorrow evening. And you
will be laughing at your fear"
That evening just as Barbara had
brought in some logs for the CRATE,
the door bell rang. Her heart was
humping a heavy tattoo as she an
swered the summons.
"Good evening. Is Mr.. Graham at
home?"
He's out of town."
The man turned sharply on his
heel
rs there something I can do for
your
mo, guess not, thanks" The Wis
itor was almost down the steps.
"When'n he be back?"
Tomorrow evening"" Barbara closed
the door.
l wonder if that fellow knew that /
was alone, thought Barbara. His voice
sounded harsh. The thud-thud Of
heavy feet passed-slowly, it seemed
to her alert ears. Silence. She paced
back and forth nervously. Again and
again she found her eyes straying to
the window. She listened. Silence out
side save for the whisper Of the wind
that sang a mournful song in the
chimney place and the patter of rain
drops from the caves.
Then she had tea and toast and jam
| for dinner, and smeared cold cream
| on her face and neck and settled
| down comfortably on the davenport
before the fire. Taking several soft
| pillows, she put them under her head.
There she reclined, cold-creamy and
expectant, with the latest mystery
| story in her hands. The lamps were
| lighted and cheerful log fire glowed,
| whose shadows danced on furniture
| and walls as she lay staring silently
| into the cracking logs.
| Then she tried to read, but she
| could not concentrate, wide-eyed and
anxious lest in some way she be q
| murder victim like the central figure
| in the novel she was reading. She
was worried and nervous.
| If there was anyone lurking out
| there, better let him know she had
not retired. She arose and threw some
logs on the fire. Then she crossed to
the sun porch and listened in silence,
her ears sharply receptive for any
unusual sounds. Apparently satisfied,
she returned to the living room.
Then the door bell rang Barbara IS
face went white and she almost went
into tail-spin, but righted herself
as she slowly made her way to the
hallway, where she listened in ST.
lence.
Well, of all the audacious impu-
dence Does that fellow think I'm
going to open that door again? just
then a dog barked and feminine
voice spoke.
Barbara, with little cry, opened
the door and nefghbor came in. Her
friend spoke quickly. whats the
matter, Barbara?"
Nothing. Why?"
you look pale-as though some.
thing happened"
Don't be silly. Nothing has hap
pened. Not a thing"
MY dear, some friends just dropped
in and Pm short one bridge deck. Dc
you mindY'
Certainly not, Helen" She hand
ed the cards to her friend.
Then again she made herself com
Portable on the davenport and turned
on the radio. Through the warm room
fioated the muted strains of cello
then voice crooned with melody.
The fire famed and cracking
sparks shot upward. Then a string
orchestra played soft dreamy
Strauss waltz that drifted soothingly
to the ears
"Put both hands over your head,
mans voice ordered
Barbara sprang to her feet with &
cry of fear.
Face the window"
She obeyed. Then she tried to cry
out but no cry came
Every vestige of blood left her face
In the yellowish glare OF the subdueC
lights it seemed like a waxen head
with glistening beads of moistur,
standing out upon it.
Then she found herself staring int,
the-gray dawn of foggy morning
"Now," continued the voice. "bent
from the hips touch the fingers t,
the f1oor-then recover slowly ant
breathe deeply"
Barbara's hands dropped Imply t,
her side and her shaking limbs col
> lapsed as she dropped into a chair.
Il Her eyes were staring at the radio
IL Women in Naval Reserve
IL Women have never been eligible 70