Evening star., 1933-07-16

That woman!" Jim breathed. That woman'n
drive me mad. If she don't quit nasging me.
III"
But Phyllis did not wait to hear what would
happen. Bang! went the door, and she was OH
the other side.
Il wish I knew what to do," Aunt Polly pro-
tested to Leondas They're just too lovely.
both of EN- to break up something that
really amt their fault It's a downright shame,
Leonidas, and you know it."
"Me-er-raow!" bawled Leonidas impatiently,
rubbing against the table leg.
"Whst.' Aunt Polly asked.
Nc .aow!"
Aunt Pclly stared at him. She stared as If
the cat had spoken In some strange language
with an import she gradually understood. Her
eyes widened.
We'll, I do declared" she muttered. If you
amt put an idea in my head. A row. That's
what they need"
She sat down suddenly wrapping and un-
wrapping her hands in her apron.
Not between themselves. The good Lord
knows they've had too much of that But they're
all tight and pent up inside. If they could only
break loose and-and-Why, l remember" she
went on inspired when William, who
the kindest soul on earth, d drive me frantic,
I'd go out in the kitchen and bang the stove
covers. And once broke two dishes Deliber-
atelyl Leonidas And I felt better afterwards"
| ATER in the afternoon. busy with loaf
l. of gingerbread and a dish of apricot pudding
that Jim liked Aunt Polly frightened per-
ceptibly. She announced to Jim that she had
errand at the grocery store He volunteered
70 60, but she shook her head vaguely. And
shortly out she went.
The evening meal for the three humans in
fI,o foil fro, q
versational standpoint. Phyllis came downstairs.
but after one look at Jim's sullen face she re-
mained aloof hardly noticing him at all. 1t
continued that way through desutory even-
ing until Jim and Phyllis had drifted of to
bed he to the room he had occupied a
youngste1 and she to what was known in the
old house as the guest chamber. And then Aunt
Polly, putting out the lights, sighed heavily and
YEARLY climbed the stairs to her own room.
So for long time afterward-until nearly
3 O'Clock, as a matter Of fact-the big house
remained quiet. Then a muf1ed figure crossed
stealthily to just below Aunt Pollys window
and presently the end of short ladder bumped
softly on Aunt Polly's very own window ledge.
Fifteen minutes later. struggling out Of q
deep sleep. Phyllis raised her head from the
pillow and listened. In the half consciousness
of sudden awakening the shrek still rang in
her ears Or was it shrek? She couldn't
tell.
But she heard the pat of Jim's bare feet ON
the mating across the hall and in an instant
he was at her door, demanding to know what
had happened. Finding her safe. he said it
must have been Aunt Polly. Phyllis said to wait
q second and they'd 60 and see. She slipped
out Of bed and into . dressing gown. In the
hall she tried to press on Jim heavy stick
she had taken, whose use was to prop up the
window in neu of a broken catch.
Yva k1So lovk folt ~ ovnAv Sk,ad 4
back. Good Lord!" he exclaimed MY old
busted ball bat You could kill q man with that.
I'd rather depend on my fists"
Together they tried Aunt Polly,s door and
1t was locked from within. light showed under
it and they could hear heavy breathing. But
their repeated calls elected no response and Jim
put . shoulder against 1t and butted, as he
would q foot ball line and the old lock tore
away. The scene inside stopped them in amaze
nent
Aunt Polly, in . Nile green bathrobe, lay
bound and gagged on the bed In the rays of .
night lamp on the small table beside her. gilt
tered q heap Of jewelry-her ld-fashioned sun
burst, several rings pearl necklace. Beside the
jewelry lay three one-hundred dollar bills, their
denomination clearly revealed. But what in
terested Jim most, with Phyllis peerhg over
his shoulder, was . man, lower face masked
with q blue bandanna, tall, angular shabbily
dressed, and with q heavy revolver pointed no
Wnefe else m the WOIlO I18u ~ JIM u1lOOAc
"Stick 'em up!" he snarled, backing toward
the open window. Come in here, you two Stand
over there-against the wall"
Jim, hands up. entered reluctantly. Phyllis
edging in beside him.
Nov, then," the burglar directed, "you"-he
motioned to Phyllis-"wrap ap that stuff in a
handkerchief and pass it sVer." He indicated
the jewelry
Phyllis drew the gown eiAsss about hel.