The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-20

b @ her back hal
in front of the dresser glass, prepare
! tory to retiring for the night. Not &
particle" she emphatically repeated
/ Il have known you to be positively
cowardly at times"
Mr.. Murfree looked up in a weary
way from the corner where he sat. 81
am sure, my dear" he began.
NO you're not!' snapped his better
half. you are not sure, you are never
sure of anything-yon only think. Bah.
! hate a man who only thinks" and
she ierlled the tangles out of refrac-
tory auburn lock with additional force.
when Mrs. jerks was telling to-
night about that paragon of husband
OF hers I was simply consumed with
envy. 1t shows how much to believe
in names. Look at you two men-looll.
say"
Yes, my dear" responded Mr.. Muir
free, pulling off his boots in resigned
way, Pm looking"
BAH" retorted his wife. "I mean
your names. Ulysses Murfree-Peter
Jenks-just thiph of the difference, and
yet PeterJenlSs knocked burglar down
stairs this week with one fist, one, I
assure you, and You, you are afraid to
go calling on the Smsongibbers after
dark, because they keep dog"
well, my dear" feebly expostulated
Mr. Murfree, sit is a very large dog,
and p
Here Mrs. Murfree suddenly turned
around, and through lips containing
sundry hairpins, COM BIS and such trif1ing
articles Kissed: Don't talk to me!'' in
such an impressive and disguised man.
ner that Mr. Murfree subsidized at once.
and proceeded to finish pulling off his
socks.
He was not disturbed again until the
moment came for retiring when, con-
trary to their usual custom, Mrs. MUIR
free turned the gas entirely out, leav-
ing the room in darkness, save where
a sire ak of moonlight fell through the
window. open for ventilation.
Now, if there was anything that Mr..
Murfree hated, it was to have the bed
room gas turned off at night, but he
elm bed sadly into bed, and lay cogita-
ting plan whereby he should be able
to shoot a burglar in the dark should
one chance to visit his abode that night
Just as the city clock was striking
one Mr.. Murfree awoke with start
and looked in dazcd way up into the
darkness.
Whats the matter with me?" he
muttered, a sensation of uneasiness
creeping over him. II think-ha,
what's that?" and. broad awake now,
with the cold perspiration starting
from every pore, he became conscious
of faint rustic in the room, the
cause of which the heavy portieres
draping the alcove prevented him as
certaining.
Cautiously he reached under the mat
tress for his revolver, and, to his hor-
ror, found that after cleaning it on the
previous day he had carelessly forgot
ten to replace it in its wonted spot.
''Oh. Lord! oh, Lord!' he chartered
to himself, trying to keep COOL mo re-
volver, no nothing, and burglar sure
as fate. Samantha was right ! am a
coward: what on earth shall do? If
/ awake Samantha I will never hear
the last of it-she will nag worse than
ever; besides, she is sure to yell. and
then we will all be murdered;" and the
POOR man shook so that the springs
creaked and sent him into fresh fit of
trembling.
Rustic, rustic. it came again, and then
a soft thump and clink.
Hes got nv pants" calculated Mr..
Murfree to himself, as he cautiously sat
up in bed and tried to calm himself.
Thump!
Il can't stand this any longer" said
Mr.. Murfree in whisper, beginning to
get huffy. I'm a fool No wonder
Samantha said So | will certainly
find out what is outside of those cur
tains and this time Samantha shan't
have chance to brag over me Per-
haps ] shall be able to do something
for once"
Keeping well away from the separa-
ton between the portieres, he carefully
let one foot out of bed
As 1t touched the floor the rustic
sounded again, and so near that Mr.
Murfree nearly lost his balance with
fright, and found himself on his feet !.
the next moment, shaking with alarm
lest he had provoked the marauder's !
attention to the alcove or awakened !,
the sleeping Samantha.
But no; all was quiet. and as soon as
he pluclscd up a sufficient amount of .
he peered cautiously through .
the curtains.
With difficulty he depressed an ex-
clamation of horror.
The moons rays fell across the !
dresser. bringing out each article on it .
with weird distinctness, aud just in
the shadow before the cheval glass /
was the STOPPING figure of man.
He was evidently searching the up
per drawer, and Mr.. Murfree gasped .
for JOY as he distinguished on the top
Of the cabinet to the right of the glass
the missing revolver
IF | could ouly reach him." said
Mr.. Murfree To himself, Jump on him
as he is bending over. and secure the
revolver before he RECEIVERS himself
us u good plan, aud the only one.
m getting kind of riled; don't be-
.!eve I'm such coward after all
With mighty effort he braced him
self and advanced cautiously, keeping
bis eyes on the bent figure.
In the uncertain light the man
looked unnatUraliy large and heavy,
and seemed each second 10 De on the
point of rising. Indeed. as Mr.. Murfree
'eached the center table he thought all
vas over and shrauk down behind it
iespairingly.
But fortune was kind. the burglar
sun searched busiiv. and NJ. Murfree.
gathering himself for grand effort.