The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-11
KATE'S BURGLAR.

In the popular sense of the term, he
was not "ladies' man."
To say that the subject of matrimony
never entered his mind, would be to make
a statement devoid of truth; for, ano-
malous as it may seem, it was uppermost
in his thoughts.
His heart was generally supposed to be
impregnable, but away down in its neither
depths he cherished choice romance.
So fondly was it cherished that his
vague dreams at length ripened into II
positive belief, and this belief was that
he would discover his affinity in some ro-
mantle and extraordinary way.
One pleasant summer day he packed
his valise and hied him to pleasant
watering-place.
One of the attractions of the place was
little lake; and noticing the sudden
winds that sometimes ruffied its usually
placid surface, the pretty girls and the
fraii boats, Dick thought his chance very
favorable.
Kate Malin, Lucy Bell, and brother
of the latter, filled with a desire to view
nature in her native Businesses, had come
down from the crowded city, and any
fine day their boat might have been seen
skimming gracefully oyer the little lake.
Dick WAS so far interested in Miss
Malin that he fattered himself that all
that was now lacking was favorable
opportunity for Beatrice to discover her
Benedict; an ordinary introduction, he
argued, would be of no earthly account.
1t came in a manner he did not antici-
pate.
His belief in the divinity which was
to shape his desired end was not of such
"a nature as to preclude his own agency
in the matter, and for days his almost
constant employment was to row indo-
lently upon the lake.
Fishing was his ostensible object on
these occasions, but in reality it was a
pastime which he detested.
We are inclined to suspect that he was
just waiting for something to turn up"
and picturing to himself, between the
whiffs of his cigar, the triumph he would
enjoy over Mr.. Bell, when Kate should
hail him as her preserver.
One evening, as the sound of the
piano, accompanied by Kate's rich, full
voice as she warbled some simple ballad,
was borne out to him upon the evening
air he realized the utter loneliness of his
situation, and was tempted to renounce
his romance and seek an introduction.
People were already specializing as to
the personality of the lonely-looking
young man.
Musing upon these things, he saun-
tered off to his room.
After closing the door, he was about to
light the gas when he heard steps ad-
yancing along the hall, and ladies' voices
without.
"rhirty-six-thirty seven. Here it is,
Kate" and they paused before the door,
"Good heavens!' he thought. Gam
in the wrong room? My own is thirty
eight"
His first impulse was to step out and
explain, but he did not.
His next, and the one upon which
he acted. was to conceal himself until
there was an opportunity for escape.
He stepped into the wardrobe and
closed the door, and the next instant
they were in the room.
What a position for sensitive and
modest young man!
"Lucy, dear, we must look for bur-
glars before we put out the light. Do
you know that my mother never retires
at night, until she has searched every
place where one can conceal himself"
"Why Kate! What in the world
would you do if you were to find one in
that wardrobeY
"Oh, | suspect I would scream; but
then, if he was a dear, good fellow, |
might fall in love with him."
The ringing laugh which followed
these remarks grated harshly upon the
ears Of Dick, and be mentally execrated
all old ladies who bring up their daugh.
ters in such prudent habits.
He felt for the knob by which to hold
the dooH shut, but it was gone, and he
grasped the oaken panels with the grief
OF despair.
Kate resolutely opened the door, and
Dicks would-be explanation was drowned
in the screams which filled the room and
echoed down the hall, as the frightened
girls fed.
His position was now critical in thu
extreme, and he had barely time to gair
his own room and bolt the door when hi
heard the voices of the alarmed guest
without.
In answer to the numerous interroga
tions Katie's most graphic description o
the person of the supposed burglar wa
''horrid fellow with red whiskers."
At another time Dicks vanity woult
have been touched to hear his silk,
brown beard denominated "red," but h
felt that to be no time to take exception
to trifes.
II He was much relieved to hear the opin
ion expressed that the burglar had es
capped by means of an open window anc
sheet, and he was not tempted, as per
sons conscious Of their more accurate in
formation sometimes are, to inform then
differently.
j After the excitement had somewha
subsidized, he heard Kate say: