The Opelousas courier., 1894-01-27

silver. O. .
After having rifed all the rooms
all the moet valuable articles, he re
turned to the dining room.
I On the table the remains Of suppe
still stood, consisting Of q fowl, hard
ly touched, some ~delicAtely cut brea'
and butter, cake, and g glass jar con
tanning some fancy crackers.
II will make myself entirely a
home" he remarked, sitting down t
the table, and helping himself to
wing of the chicken.
"Really," he proceeded, II hay'
thoroughly enjoyed this evening, No
only have ! met a most charming lady
but I have been able to prove to he
that the terms gentleman and burgla
may be synonymous. 90
he now began on the cake. Ipushe.
the cracker jar toward him. Str,
them," / observed.
Still smiling indulgently, and talk
ing, he took out one Of the crackers
and began to nibble on it. It wa
very'dry.
rose, and in absent minded man
ner placed on the table the remains o.
q bottle of old Burgundy. which hat
been opened the day before.
"Now, really" he prattled, I'm /.
very harmless man five months out O.
six-I never steal unless other mean
fail, or a tailor's bill comes due. Tn 4
respectable citizen and-a church
member in good standing when Tn
not on one Of my professional tours.
I took up burglary more as a resource
than from necessity. Candidly speak.
ing, now, am I q rufian?"
"No!" I replied, looking directly
!. at him. ION the. contrary, you are q
very fne-looking man"
A glow OF vanity spread over his
face. I poured out a glass of the Bur
gundy and pushed it toward him.
England to Wales!" he cried with
gallantry. II don't generally drink, 81
he added, ''but these crackers make
me thirsty.
eff I could only find q wife suited
to my tastes" he unused, t'such a
woman as you are, by George! I'd
give up aesthetic burglary and settle
down to quiet domestic bliss" He
looked qusstioningly at me. "If"-
he hesitsted-styou could be sure I
would abandon my profession-would
you-do you think you could--con-
done my past and--msrry me?"
THAT is q matter for consideration"
| replied.
Hehelped himself to another cracker.
"Your proposal 10 30 startlingly uni.
que. I continued, ITO marry ones
burglar Really Il il quite q joke"
'sIsn't it," he chuckled, evidently
enjoying the idea Of the oddity. 1--WE
are kindred spiritsi" he exclaimed,
convivially, but was interrupted by q
violent ft of coughing.
Seizing the bottle Of Burgundy, he
drained the only drop or two left.
II think, maybe, there's another
bottle down in the cellar" I cried,
a~rtlessly. "I'n GO down and see-I
feel thirsty myself
I'VE will descend together, ex-
claimed my burglar, gallantly taking
the candle from my hand and follow
ing me TO the door leading to the eel
lar steps.
We descended the steps chatting
pleasantly-he discoursing on matri.
mony, I answering rather vaguely, but
measuring the distance to the wine
bins by my eye. They were at the far
end Of the cellar, and we're five in mum
Der, each large enough to hold D quar-
ter Of . ton of coal. Before the furth-
est one / paused.
Here" / said, sis the brand we are
looking for" / raised the heavy lid
and looked in. Il will hold the can
observed; will you get the
] can hardly reached it."
He handed me the candle and bent
low over the bin. Hai hal Quicker
than . fash Of lightning / tripped up
his heels Che was easily overbalancedl,
and into the bin he fell headlong.
Down came the heavy lid. But there
was no paddock on it. I must hurry!
Blowing out the candle, I ran, for ]
knew the way, straight to the cellar
steps and up them-1ike o cat. Then
with q locked door between myself and
my burglar, ! could breathe.
! heard the man kicking about down
for Of course he got out Of the
bin at once. But our cellar is 9 laby.
Selling fathers old gun from
lts resting place IN the hall, / sat down
near the door at the head of the stairs,
for the worst.
The door was fairly stronghold /
Knew /; but he was q powerful man. So
dragged . heavy table from the sit.
ing room and placed it against it.
Suddenly / became conscioust that he
lad found his way to the stairs and
vas rapidly approaching the door,
which was all that lay between me and
lis r~evengeful fury.
Bracing myself against the opposite
vail. / raised the old gun, and, DELHI
aiming it, waited.
He began by pounding with both
lists on the door. but, not receiving
answer, he tried threats. An in.
tinct seemed to tell him / would re.
nain On guard.
His language, / must confess. while
threatening, was not abusive. It was,
2 fact, Incredibly elegant for q burg.
Y, and strictly grammatical.
AL 81 once there came . crash. fol.