The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-29


to hold her rheumatism in check. 1t
seems very shocking way to treat an
old woman, however. And then Durston
must find it unpleasant to discharge a
servant two or three times a day.
But revenons a nos burglar One
night last winter Dursten reached home
rather earlier than usual. AS was his
custom, he examined the doors and win
dows in the lower part Of the house and
then went to the library. He found his
smoking jacket and slippers in their &C
customed place. A wood fire was crack
ling in the CRATE, and a decanter of
whisky and box of cigars tempted him
from the center table. Durston smiled
contentedly as he drew an easy chair to-
ward the fire. Life was very pleasant to
him. He was one Of those happy bach
elors who have no regrets. Not that
Durston lacked sentiment Far from it.
In fact he was not at all what the world
calls a practical man.
No, Durston was inclined to look at
the romantic side Of life, and as he
smoked a perfecto and slipped his whisky
and seltzer in front of the blaze that
night he INDUCED in imaginings that
would have shocked the hard headed
housekeeper upstairs worse than did her
private electric current the day the bat
terry was overcharged.
Durston had for the moment forgotten
all about old maids and burglars. He
was in a condition Of bodily and mental
repose that drove into outer darkness all
the unpleasant things of life. Finally
the conviction came upon him slowly
that it was time to go TO bed He fought
hard against the proposition, but there
was no escape for him. Looking at his
watch he found that it was long after
o'clock. Turning out the lights in the
library he entered his bedroom. tie was
still in a state of sleepy contentment.
Just as he was about TO put out the gas
he was startled by a slight noise that
seemed to come from the cellar. He lis
tened intently. Five minutes passed, but
there were no further sounds from below.
DurstOn surrounded himself by perfect
darkness and crawled into bed. But be
could not sleep. That unlucky noise had
rendered him feverish. The thought Of
burglars had destroyed his serenity of
mind. His revolver lay on a chair by
the bedside and he kept his hand on it
for some time. The weapon seemed to
whisper to him: Peace, Durston; go 70
sleep, my child. / will not go off until
the burglar comes"
This assurance on the part of the pis-
tol Quoted Durston somewhat and he
was beginning TO feel very sleepy again
when he heard light step on the stairs.
There was no mistake about it. After
keeping sullenly aloof for years Dur
ston's burglar had come at last. At first
our bachelor felt a cold chill creeping
up his spinal column. Then, as the
burglar carefully stole through the hall
and entered the library, DurstOn was
astonished to realize that he was lying
in bed with pistol in his hand, house
breaker IN the next room, and that he
was beginning to enjoythe adventure
The thought flashed through his mind
that even breach of promise case mighs
not be as horrible as he had imagined.
THE reckless fellow seems 10 think
that there's nobody in the house."
chuokled Durston az he heard his visitor
light burner in the library. Then Qui-
city getting out Of bed and stepping
gently 70 the door Of his bedroom Dur
ston pointed the revolver at small,
dark, rather well dressed man who stood
in the center Of the library looking about
him eagerly.
Put up your haGds or III sand a ball
through you cried Durston sternly.
The dspper little burglar saw at a
glance that his game was up.
Don't do anythngFash, be remarked
calmly, helping himself to stiff dose Of
Durstons whisky and then hghtin one
Of MS unwilling hosts cigars.
DurstOn was astOulshed and amused.
Now that I've gOt my burglar after
waiting for him 20 many years might
a. wen make little pleasure cut Of HIN,
be said 20 hinsK Then 10 tie burglar
You're a cool one congratulate you
Oh your nerve. Y0u VIII pardon me.
n a co. W ~ 49, 80 ~
70 lsy s.sids your cigaT for a moment and I
step 10 the telephone"
The burglar looked sharply At DurstOn, /
who still covered hin with the revolver
There ~as that IL the baosleIo-'s face
hat shock the coolness 81 the intruder.
be walked quickly 70 the Telephone.
Take down that pamphlet there |
continued DsIrston. Now look N the I
call for the - precinct station house.
Have You found it,
"Yee.7
Ping mp the central Office
The burglar sJlllenly turned the crank. |
"Y0u know what 20 DO now. Gro /
.hssd7
A glance a. TIE revolver vas sufficient /
or the frightened htile man. he brlskly /
ysye the required number 20 the oJ-
ratcr.
Is tais the - precinct station
iolss| Ee saked after . time. "All
light Wait rsOuezt.
Tell them you 70 . burglar and want
Policeman Seat here a. onos - arrest
Ca commanded DurzsOn. smiling
'rinlly
WIN one policeman 6os theJ AK. =
aid to- bucgiaz
Us yo1r OWL judgment in that nat
e. rsEA-ksd Durst01 politely.