Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-01-30
A BURGLARS JULIET.
THE STORY OF A THIEVING EXPEDITION
AND A PECULIAR MEETING.


tIe Scholar (who corrects my proof
sheets) calls one of the rusinurby sort
the front facing a street and the back
looking over turf garden, with lime
tree or two, a laburnum, and lawn ten
mis- court marked out, its white lines PLAIN
10 see in the starlight.
A the end of n garden door, painted
lark green, led into narrow lane be-
tween high walls, where, if two persons
met. one had to turn sideways to let the
other pass. The entrance to this lane
was cut in two by wooden post about
;he height Of your hip, and just beyond
,his in the high road, George was wait
ing for us with the dogcart.
We had picked the usual time-thc
dinner hour 1t had just turned dark
ard the church clock, two streets away,
was Ginning the quarter after eight when
Peter and let ourselves in by the green
door | spoke of and felt along the wall
for the gardeners ladder that we knew
vas hanging there. A simpler job there
never was The bedroom window on the
first floor stood right open to the night
aickering, just as careless maid will
cave them after her mistress has gone
iown to dinner.
To be sure, there was a chance of her
coming back to put them out, but we
could hear her voice going in the serv-
ants hall as we lifted the ladder and
"rst"d it against the sill.
hnI
Peter whispered, holding the ladder
while began to climb; but if l hear
her voice stop I'll give the signal to be
cautious.
| went up softly, pushed my head
gently above the level of the sill, and
looked in.
1t was roomy place, with great half
out from the wall on my right. The cur
ains were of chintz, dark background,
with flaming red poppies sprawlng over
it, and the farther curtain hid the dress
ing table and the candles upon it and the
jewel case that | confidently hoped to
stand upon it also. A bright Brussels
carpet covered the floor and the wall
of me, | can not tell why-was a pale
gray ground, worked up to initiate
watered silk, with sprigs Of gilt honey
suckle upon it.
looked around and listened for half
minute. The house was still as death up
here-not a sound in the room or in the
passages beyond. With nod to Peter
to hold the ladder firm l lifted one leg
over the sill, then the other, dropped my
feet carefully upon the thick carpet, and
went quickly around the bed to the dress
ing table.
But at the corner, and as soon as ever
I saw around the chintz curtain, my
knees gave way, and l put out hand
toward the bedpost.
Before the dressing table and in front
of the big glass, in which she could sec
my white face, was an old lady seated.
She wore a blaze Of jewels and low
gown, out Of which rose the sCraggiest
neck and shoulders l have ever looked
on. Her hair was thick with black dye
and fastened with diamond star Be-
tween the two candles the powder
showed on her cheek bones like -four on
a miller's coat. Chin in hand, she was
gazing steadily into the mirror before
her, and, even in my fright, had time
to note that glass of sherry and a plato
Of rice and curry stood at her elbow
among the rouge pots and powder pufrs.
While | stood stock still and pretty
well scared out of my wits, she rose,
still staring at my image in the glass,
folded her hands modestly over her bo.
som, and spoke in deep, tragical voice
The princcl"
Then, facing sharply around. she held
out her thin arms,
"NOu have COmc-at lasti"
There was not much to say to this ex-
cept that had. SO confessed it, Even
with the candles behind her | could seq
her eyes glowing like dogs, and an
ugler poor creature this world could
scarcely show.
is the ladder set against the win,
drwf"
Since you seem 10 know, ma'am,"
said |, 1t is"
HAh, RomoO Your cheeks are ruddv
your poppes are too red, "
Then I'm glad my colors come back,
for, To tell the truth, you did give me n
turn Just at first. You we're looking out
for me, no doubt"
My prince!" She stretched out her