Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-08
THE BURGLAR.

against bnrgiars, be cultivated an ac-
guaintancs with the policemen who
siternated on the beat and dropped mys-
ferrous hints II munifcent rewards in
case they caught burglar IN the act.
He had a burglar alarm IN bis bedroom
and shotgun. from which Mrs. Tim
Minis was in the habit Of Withdrawing
cartridges for fear he should shoot him
self
Many . sleepless night he spent IN
proving about the house in the dark in
quest Of some intruder whose fOotstep
he thought be heard. tie read every ar
ticie in the new spapers about burglaries,
and surprised his wife and niece by the
extent and accuracy OF his information
touching the methods OF the fraternity.
He plunged them into depths OF despair
by declaring that he knew i was hrs des-
tiny 10 wake up some morning and find
the house robbed and Constance's throat
sut.
Constance was lovely girl. the daugh-
ter OF an elder brother Of TimInins who
had gone south after the war, bought
plantation, taken the yellow fever and
died. leaving an estate of which the
value was unknown. She was a CO.
quette. and had host OF admirers who
seldom commanded the approval of her
uncle or aunt. IL they were young
Uncle Ezra said they were SHIPS and
ought 10 be IN the nursery. II they were
old. he said they should be in some old
peoples home. Constance laughed ar
his inyectives. and when her uncle for
babe this OF that man the house she met
him elsewhere. II he had taken her fancy.
Among the admirers who could not
fairly Do condemned to the nursery was
Colonel Pitblado. he had met Constance
at a small party and had been struck by
her beauty and vivacity. With his usual
circrmspection he had instituted inquir-
les regarding her prospective fortune.
From the assiduity with which he pur
sued her afterward it may be inferred
that the result Of the investigation had
been satisfactory.
Much 10 his annoyance Constance not
only did not ask him to the house. but
begged IS a favor that he would not
come; az any rate for the present.
sYou see. Colonel Pitblado," said she,
at have rather taken fancy 10 you
and don't want TO lose you. Now, my
uncle. who IA the best man In the world,
invariably takes dislike 10 people who
pay me attention have presentiment
that il you came to the house he would
quarrel with you. and that would be the
end Of our acquaintance"
The colonel argued, but il was of no
avail. The only concession which Con-
stance would make was that now and
then. say once a week. she would leave
the door open after her uncle had gone
to bed. and the colonel might slip in and
SPEND few minutes with her in the dark
Ia the hall or IN the drawing room.
II know" she said, "that you are too
much Of gentleman 10 make me regret
my good nature; anyway l think 1 can
take care Of myself"
The colonel'S behavior was beautiful.
His speech was eloquent on the subject
OF his love, but he rarely ventured even
10 press tho fingers Of his charTner as
they sat side by side on the sofa.
There they sat one night. and Con
stance. in a subdued voice, was explain
ing her uncle's extraordinary terror Of
burglars.
Has he ever been robbed" asked the
colonel
Il believe that when be was n child
burglars broke into the house where he
was living and killed one Of the inmates.
tie was wakened out Of bed by the sound
Of the shot. and he has never got over
the shock"
Il can quite understand it, replied
tho colonel. "Thero is something pecul-
larly terrifying in a midnight encoun-
ter with man whom you cannot see,
and who has everything to gain and little
10 lose by taking your life"
ssOhf" cried Constance. 'the thought
sIls mo at times with such horror that
an ~ afraid Of burglars as my uncle.
tunk tbat II saw one Ia my room,
wotlid die Of fright
II hope" said the colonel laughing.
'-thas I would not show the white
feather. But must sly DO not banker
10 meet n burglar in the flesh"
At that moment n slight noise WAS
beard outside the drawing room door.
IL was the fsintest possible creak q a
weak flooring PLANK under q tread. Both
the tenants az the sofa looked up and
held their breath. with ears on the FIJI
strain. Another board creaked and pres
entity. after a wait which seemed % last
for ages. the acute ears Of the colonel
sea.ctsxi a mufiieyl tread on the CARPET Of
the room in which they sat. There was
third party in the room. He was shof'
vfh vvoal and was moving noiseiessly
ant occadoaailv stopping ~ II g. listen
whefber pa wss drfected The long
sxg>scsed burglar bad come
Constanre lalnted nlenlv 0n the sofa.
Tia callr IS in whom che presence oi
d4aerr had awakened Eis f4htnr lf
seinet. rse f-am hls seat anl er0ped t.
w8g nosaIet toward fbe Intruder
whom le could cot Gee. Ha could bl
ans time hcr tla scaunlrtls bfeaft
coming srsl .aaue ar1 instinct prompted
am Is held his own Hs would heqi
given worlds Or a waaron. but bis care
go Gus "a renh. 81 rfast give tHftI
v4ta ias hnrs hands saa.nst one rtf
rr0hatlv bah beth psstal sni snifs
h. regesf.l tha hs.r.l,irr'a foot came iut
c,ntsst with steel The co'dnsi he
ftsts.s un lezasut with sud4er spEir
D. was up.n the invaigr. r. hs.
ttrgsn his weiehs into tlle spring a..
fsHsi ffe burglar 80 the ground Csc
downward gian, swiftly seiziua 3
wrists. So hell thsfn IN a grip n iron
tussrd TIE arms upward snl saf dow
ca BIS hsek