The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-01-15


were in the house, knowing most likely
that was alone.
At first was so overcome with fright
that couldn't help trying to scream;
but, luckily, only emitted a noiseless
gasp.
Alone, with burglars in the house,
with no neighbors near enough to hear
or help, realized, perhaps too late, the
extent of my girlish folly in playing
amateur detective. Then, somehow. my
vanity and the fear of ridicule got the
upperhand, and 1 thought of the glory
of success, the five thousand dollars re-
ward, how the papers would praise me
and print my pictures till, flushed with
conceit, slipped out of bed and donned
my gymnasium suit which had kept
handy for my purpose.
Then I cautiously opened the peep
hole in the floor and peered through it
to the dining-room below.
For awhile 1 could see nothing in the
darkness; soon heard whispering
and stealthy footsteps and then when a
by the safe.
l held in my trembling hand the
wire leading to the trap, ready to pull
when both the rascals were surely in
position.
had cunningly placed an obstruction
in the key-hole of the safe, so while
one robber attempted to open it the
other would have to stand close by him
to give light.
1t worked exactly as planned. One
fellow was on his knees trying the key,
the other burning matches and both
squarely on the trap. Now was my
time. Click! went the spring in answer
to my nervous pull and down disap
peared my two gentlemen before eithe,
could say ''Jack Robinson l heard
the dull splash made in the molasses
then the trap, swinging back to its
place, left them for the present, al
least, securely entombed.
Not even elm bling one on the Other
could release them, even when they haG
recovered from their confusion and de-
moralization, and rubbed the sickness
out of their eyes.
Now to get the assistance necessary
to complete their capture.
| But-how and where. My brother
being away just when I needed him
upset this part of my scheme.
must go out in the black night my
| self, run other and unthought-of risks
and find help.
Again the horror of my situation over
came me and 1 nearly tainted
Forcing courage that l will comics.
did not feel. I stole down the back
stairs, and, thinking to rouse Michae
in the barn, softly unlocked the kitchen
outside door and looked out. A low
whistle from the shrubbery at the cor
ner of the house turned me to ice
There was another burglar watching
from without.
had not reckoned on that. Evident
! ~ he took me for one of his pals.
Hoping so, 1 returned his whistle, an6
with what little strength I had left
managed to fasten the door and make
my way along the hall, past that awfu
dining-room to the front of the house
leaving him at the back. Through {
parlor window I gained the piazza
trusting to escape to the road before dis
covery and there run for my life.
AS was feeling for the steps my hant
touched something cold.
1t was my brothers bicycle which
could ride as good as he and, in my
gymnasium dress, even better. Hi.
safety seemed put there by Provi
dence to be my safety. Quickly ant
noiselessly lifted it on to the grass
trusting to get it across our three-acr<
lawn and out on the road before thu
burglar on guard knew what was going
on. Then, unless he had horse,
could laugh at him.
had gone over the grass and through
the trees and bushes, may be fifty feet
when I felt that I was followed.
stopped to listen and that signal whistl,
sounded again.
sis that you, Bill?'' heard, and from
the front of the house.
Then advancing footsteps and a push
ing through the evergreen hedge toll
me of my peril.
Instantly I took the carriage driv,
and, leaping on the bicycle, started full
speed for the road with the robber
flashing his dark-lantern in my direc
ton, cautiously following.
Was the front gate open or shut:
Taking the chance, and my only, tina
it was open, dashed for it, and thanl
Heaven, through it and reached thu
road.
The lanterns glare now had surel,
betrayed me for the burglar was fore
ing his way through the, to him, strang,
paths and bushes, trying to head me of
ere could pass our fence line. But
beat him there and then heard him OF
the road behind in hot pursuit.
In spite of my fercest efforts he wa
gaining and calling me to stop or h,
would shoot. Still I rushed on in tn,
pitchy blackness, every moment ex
pecting to strike something to throw
me or be hit with bullet. A hal
mile of rather soft road must be gon,
over before Icould reach the macadam
lied part and here was his advantage
Though drove the treadles to their ut
1 most seemed scarcely to move, ant
the hot pace was beginning to tire me-
Twenty feet behind, for I could hea,
his breathing, raced my now silent ant
terrible pursuer, apparently certain O
my capture, for l was fast breaking
down under the fearful strain.
Ten feet behind he was, and sayins
he had me-ave feet behind and-striv
Ing 70 Aaseh ne, hs stumbled and tell