Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-11-27
AN UNPROFEssIONAL BURGLAR.

An accident in shunting the usual lug
gage train had delayed the regular express
and it was nearly eleven clock when the
belated train glided slowly up to the
| Emdale station Before the engine hat
ceased moving, a tall young man swung
himself easily to the platform, anc
stood, bag in hand, looking, as if I'm.
decided, to yard a livery stable across the
street Then he sprang TO the ground
crossed the track and disappeared up the
main road.
''I'll walk up to the house, he said tc
himself, lit will be quite d surprise, as
they do not look for me for some time yet
besides, | am cramped and stiff from sit
ting SO long, and it will give me a chance
to stretch my limbs. "
After proceeding a short distance he
took down some bars and followed we'll
worn footpath which led through several
fields, until he finally came to a Travelled
highway. By this means he saved a con-
siderable distance. He soon came to a
handsome gate, opened into well-kept
grounds, and entering app cached large
house standing on the crest of a broad,
sloping lawn.
Home again, he cried exuitingly; how
the sight quickens ones pulse.
All was dark In the house. He walked
to the rear and looked up to the second
story of a large wing at that side. Here he
stood for while, gazing first at the win
dows of this room, and then down at the
broad-pillared veranda beneath
1T would be q great surprise to them,
he said to himself, with a smile. Il could
find my way easily to my room and no one
be the wiser. It's regular freshman S
caper, but I'll venture"
He set his bag down beside one of the
pillars and climbed up to the roof as nimb-
ly as cat. He found the window I'M
fastened, as he had expected, and, gently
raising it, leaped forward and listened in,
tently To his surprise he fancied he
heard a noise In the adjoining apartment,
bat he dismissed the notion at once as
ridiculous
Nonsense, he thought, as d blind
ratified beside him, 1T was nothing
but the wind. Everybody has long been
abed. "
He stepped carefully inside at this, and
stood in the flood of moonlight looking
about on the desks and benches and other
school-room paraphernalia. Then he made
his way slowly to the other end of the
room. He had just reached a smali
closet, the door of which was stand
ing open, when he distinctly heard a
light football. He stopped, motioness.
and looked back. Tue steps came nearer
and nearer
In a moment more the portiere that
hung across the door of the next room was
flung open land he saw, brilliantly defined
in the moonlight, a young girl holding the
curtain back with one hand. She was
dressed in a gown Of virgin white, made
of some light summer material, but her
magnificent hair fell In long tresses down
her back, as if she had been interrupted
Just rs she was lOosening it.
A moment more and she stepped boldly
into the room and then the young man
saw that she had revolver in her right
hand. There was significance. too, In the
flashing of her eye and the compression of
her lips that was not to be disregarded.
Beautiful as she was, and she seemed to
him almost like a vision from Paradise.
he did not doubt that she would use the
revolver without hesitation. She might
shoot wildly, but shoot she surely would.
Instinctively he dashed into the cupboard.
In d second the quickwitted girl had
closed the door and turned the key.
For the first time Gerald Mowbray re-
allied the danger into which his foolish
freak had led him.
"A pretty piece of business this, ne
thought: shut up here like Gagged rat.
Who is she, anyway, and what is she
doing here? For my life | cant make
out.
He waited few minutes and then, APP
preaching his lips to the key hole, asked in
his bldndest tones:
will you have the kindness to tell me
who you are?
long silence followed
Have the goodndss, please, to tell me
who you are?" He repeated, giving the
door an impatient kick. 81 am Gerald
Mowbray!"
No answer was vouchafed him.
Very well, then. Since you do not
choose to tell me who you are, perhaps you
will have the kindness to listen while eX-
plain who | am began Gerald softly.
And then, vexed by the continued silence,
he pounded the door by way of emphasis,
"Oblige Inc by opening the door 1t once,
or | shall he under the necessity of break
ing it open.
A calm voice sounded near. Young
man. if you make the slightest attempt to
break open that door shall shoot. Your
only safety lies In keeping still.
DO you want to murder me?' asked
Gerald, in despair. Its so close here that
| can scarcely breathe. Listen to me,
please | am Gerald Mowbrav This is
my home. climbed IN by the window,
as have often done when | was boy.
Where are my father and mother?'
And you expect me to believe all this 2
she said with d cOntemptuous laugh.
For mercy sake open the door! am
Gerald Mowbray my honor. | am,
| If you don't believe me, go down stairs ano
! look in the satchel which [ left on the
veranda. You will find a letter there with
my address.
That very clever device for getting
me out of the way and giving you chance
to break open the door. But you can i'm
pose on me in that fashion"
| Open the door, beg of you, entreat
ed Gerald. | can't stand this much longer
give you my word that will not attemp
to escape.
Your word Young man, your impu
dence is amazing
! Its sitting here groaned Gerald
Have you forgotten that the hot-air pip
from the furnace runs through this place
This is fearful close quarters!'
Grown men are not in the habit o
climbing verandas," she answered Sc
verely.
But should think there might hav
been something in my appearance to shoV
that was not a burglar.
How could | tell?" relaxing fo
the first time. 81 am sure burglars ough
to be able to afford to dress very we in