The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-01-23

ione SlFH1lh lnIO COf1ter WIN In6
prettiest cowardice had ever seen. Now
I'm not, as general thing, particularly
partial to the company Of burglars and
housebreakers, but what was man to
do thus chariningly appealed tor
Don't be afraid, Fanny" said |.
catching up the guitar case valiantly,
making for the lower part of the house
with that weapon of aggression. Come
on, Hardenbrook-well make 'em stir
round pretty lively, OF we'l know the
reason why"
Hardenbrook followed, rather contrary
to my expectations; had half feared
his remaining behind to comfort the
frightened dove in the blue muslin feath-
ers.
"You look In the kitchen, Thistledown,
and I'll examine the cellar" he said, and
| promptly obeyed. | looked under the
dresser, behind the tables. even beneath
the great brass kettle in the corner, but
there was no burglar there.
at must have been the cat, Harden
brook" bawled |, 'for-the deuce, how
came this door shuty"
gave the handle of the door an ener-
getic turn-it was fast lockedl
And now the truth began to dawn
dilnly upon my perturbed and excited
brain--the coast was clear, and victory
belonged to Bruce Hardenbrooki
In vain shouted until my lungs were
hoarse-in vain | ratified the relentless
door; nothing but the echo rewarded my
efforts. Nor was the scene of my invol-
untary confinement particularly invit-
ing. 1t was dark, close, and intensely
hot--a circumstance easily accounted
for by the fact of white hot fire glow
ing away in the range and no particular
circulation except that of Croton bugs
across the floor! / sat down on the brass
kettle and wiped the streams of perspi-
ration from my forehead-a modern st.
Bartholomew.
gnashed my teeth and upset whole
colony Of frying pans in despair.
sprapg up and ratified the door once
more, shouting at the top of my lungs.
but all to no avail. kicked at the walls
Il beat tattoo on the brass kettle with
the guitar case, Vain efforts. | might
as well have attempted to mako myself
heard from tho great dungeon Of the Bas-
tile. And then | remembered the proba-
Bile turn that affairs were taking up
stairs and uttered u hollow groan.
"If ever get out Of this fiery furnace
alive" said | to myself energetically,
"Tll let girls and matrimony alone!"
So the time crept away, every moment
seeming like an hour, and | heard the
sharp little kitchen clock strike =. 8 and
10, with a keen sensation of despair at
every time. Should never escape2 Was
doomed to be roasted alive?
AT length the monotony of silence was
relieved by the sound of footsteps coming
down the narrow stairs, and Job Cor
don's voice exclaimed:
MARY Hannah = Kathleen - where
tho mischief arc you all! What's the
kitchen door locked for2 I'll discharge
every skin OF you, Observation-Disclosures
murder!-policep
And honest Job fired his revolver aim
lessly into the kitchen and flung a heavy
chair after it,
"Cordoni stop-hold on-it's Tor
quatus Thistlcdownr
"Thistledown in my litcheni don't
believe word of it'll Police, sayln
But it is |, and I'm nearly dead. Stop
your bawling and listen to reason
said rather vindictiyely, for the slender
thread Of my patience was rapidly dimin-
ishing down to nothing at all, Let me
out where there's a breath of fresh air.
and Ill explain things"
The astounded old gentleman led me
up stairs into the gas lighted hall, mar
yelling much ut the wilted appearance
that presented.
Now, then will you be good enough
to tell me what all this is about? come
home ut 10 o'clock and find my house
open and empty. | go down into my
kitchen and find the president of the
Thisrledown Petroleum company INJURED
mp among the pots and pansl Am
asleep and dreaming. OF have | been be-
reft Of his sensesi"
First" | interrupted where are
! Hardenbrook and Fanny?'
Where? How should | know? An
other mystery, presume"
mo mystery at all, SIR" said well
| known voice as Bruce Hardenbrook came
| quietly up the front steps and into the
hall, with Fanny leaning OH his arm, the
pomegranate cheeks shade redder than
ever. ard the bright hair glistenmg
around her face; there we both are"
And where have you beent'
"Only to be married. sirw
"MarliedT' cried |.
"Married:' echoed Mr. Gordon.
] You told me i'll your note papa, to
| accept him promptly" faltered Fanny
But didn't suppose yon were going
10 be Is prompt as all this" said the dis
comiited papa.
/ remained to hear no more What de-
feated general cares to liuger and survey
the scenes Of his rout and discontinue:
Turning deaf ear to Gordon's apologies
and Notwithstanding Bruce's hype-
critical coincidence and Fanny's melting
| blended into bewit.hipy Iights-I mt on
my hat aud shock tho dust of that man
sion oil my feet at once and forever
And that was my last tourtship. Buff
falo News.