A COINCIDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 192, 15 August 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

A COINCIDENCE.

(By Rose Stuart, 90, Lincoln Street, Ponsonby.) Tired and exhausted after a weary day, I lay in bed, my thoughts in a turmoil. Suddenly I lay still and listened. Was it my imagination, or had I heard something rustle? Yes, there it was again—the soft footsteps as if someone was creeping on tiptoe into my room. A cold perspiration broke out on my forehead as I saw the dim outline of a man's figure moving stealthily across the room. Terror-stricken, I could not cry out or move, but just lay there, quiet and frightened. Burglars! Oh, horrors! Or perhaps—could it possibly be someone come to sandbag me, I thought, as I remembered what I had read in the evening paper. Dumb with fear, I lay breathlessly watching the intruder. I could feel my legs shaking beneath the coverings and hear my heart pounding wildly. The "burglar" paused near my dressing tabic, and, after fumbling for a few seconds, crept noiselessly towards tho door and slipped into the halL It was at this critical moment that I regained my voice and screamed, "Help, help! Burglars" A mirthful chuckle was heard outside, and the light was switched on. "Y-youl" I muttered, as I caught sight of my brother standing in the doorway. "Many happy returns for to-morrow," he said, as he pointed to a beautiful manicure set on the dressing table. "I won't be here when you get up." By this time the whole family was aroused, and I saw Mum and Dad peeping in at the doorway; and do you wonder that I was at a loss for words.