The Argosy, January 1907 — page 184: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

366 But I remembered instantly that Rover never barked except when strang- ers entered. He was a splendidly trained house-dog. Reassured by this reflection, I inserted the key in the lock. I was about to turn it, when I heard a heavy footstep ascending the steps, and I turned to confront a burly policeman, who was looking at me very suspiciously. “What are you doing here?” he de- manded gruffly. “Doing here?” I laughed, quite at my ease. ‘“‘ Why, unlocking the door, of course.” ‘Unlocking the door?” he repeated, and I noticed that while his one hand tightly clenched his night-stick the other was clutching the revolver in his hip- pocket. “‘ What right have you to unlock that door, young feller? ” “Every right,” I answered good- humoredly. ‘ You see, this happens to be my home. I live here.” “Humph!” he exclaimed, apparently unconvinced. ‘ Got anything about you to prove it?” ‘““Here’s some of my visiting-cards,” I replied, taking out my leather card-case. He seized the card almost ungracious- ly, and read aloud: MR. THOMAS CRARY, JR. 96 West Eighty-Fourth Street. Then his manner changed. I noticed that the grip of his hand upon his night- stick relaxed somewhat. “I beg your pardon, sir,” he said _apologetically. “ You see, I’m new on this post, and I didn’t know you. As you are doubtless aware, there’s been lots of burglaries on this block of late, and the captain has warned us to be careful. No offense intended, sir; I hope there’s been none taken.” ‘Certainly not,” I replied. were quite right to be careful. I assure you that we appreciate it. You’re a good policeman. Good night, officer.” “Good night, sir,” he sang out, so “ You loudly that I feared he would disturb THE ARGOSY. some of the family and thereby spoil my little joke. But the family slept on peacefully. Only Rover heard me come in, and he came rushing wup-stairs to recelve me, prancing around me like a creature pos- sessed, trying to perform the physically impossible feat of licking my nose and my feet at the same time, and wagging’ his stump of a tail in a perfect frenzy of welcome. I remember thinking, at the time, that if that policeman could have witnessed the warmth with which that dog received me he would have been thoroughly as- sured that I was no intruder. Despite his unmistakable joy, however, the dear old dog did not let out a single bark. As I have said, he was too well trained for that. I cordially patted Rover’s head, and made much of him, and as he seemed de- termined to follow me up-stairs to my bedroom, I coaxed him into the parlor and closed the door on him. : Then I softly crept up-stairs to my own room, on the second floor front. It made me feel good to be in that familiar apartment*again. I had not seen that comfortable-looking old-fash- ioned wooden bedstead for six months. The lace counterpane was my mother’s own handiwork. J had always admired it. The pictures on the wall were so familiar to me that I could have closed my eyes and described minutely the scenes they portrayed. Nothing had been changed. My room was exactly as I had left it, six months before. I was undressing, with the intention of going to bed immediately, when I heard voices in the street below and the sound of approaching footsteps. 1 could distinguish the voice of a girl and that of a man, and apparently they were both very merry, for they laughed a great deal. I noted that the girl’s laugh appeared. to be very musical. Their footsteps came to a halt as they reached our house, and I heard the girl say: “ Thank you very much, Mr. Holt; I have had a most delightful evening.” “ Not at all,” said the man’s voice, and I observed that he spoke quite soul- fully. ‘ Let me thank you, Miss Helen, (e(0) 0)(@\6) AMG S (C@)