up for the
night that I saw I had gone off with his overcoat I hung it on a nail
and getting my revolver from under a board, I went home, feeling that I
had lost two hundred dollars, and all because of Familey pride.

How true that "pride goeth before a fall"!

I have not yet explained about the revolver. I had bought it from the
gardner, having promised him ten dollars for it, although not as yet
paid for. And I had meant to learn to be an expert, so that I could
capture the Crimenal in question without assistance, thus securing all
the reward.

But owing to nervousness the first day I had, while practicing in the
chicken yard, hit the Gardner in the pocket and would have injured him
severely had he not had his garden scizzors in his pocket.

He was very angry, and said he had a bruize the exact shape of the
scizzors on him, so I had had to give him the ten plus five dollars
more, which was all I had and left me stranded.

I went to my domacile that evening in low spirits, which were not
improved by a conversation I had with Tom that night after the Familey
had gone out to a Club dance.

He said that he did not like women and girls who did things.

"I like femanine girls," he said. "A fellow wants to be the Oak and feel
the Vine clinging to him."

"I am afectionate," I said, "but not clinging. I cannot change my
Nature."

"Just what do you mean by afectionate?" he asked, in a stern voice. "Is
it afectionate for you to sit over there and not even let me hold your
hand? If that's afection, give me somthing else."

Alas, it was but to true. When away from me I thought of him tenderly,
and of whether he was thinking of me. But when with me I was diferent. I
could not account for this, and it troubled me. Because I felt this way.
Romanse had come into my life, but suppose I was incapable of loving,
although loved?

Why should I wish to be embrased, but become cold and fridgid when about
to be?

"It's come to a Show-down, Bab," he said, ernestly. "Either you love me
or you don't. I'm darned if I know which."

"Alas, I do not know" I said in a low and pitious voice. I then buried
my face in my hands, and tried to decide. But when I looked up he was
gone, and only the sad breese wailed around me.

I had expected that the Theif would take my hint and act that night, if
not scared off by learning that I belonged to the object of his nefarius
designs. But he did not come, and I was wakened on the library table