Evening star., 1894-02-03

II he moves Pll-make him wish he hadn' t. -
Miss Abigail. I'd like to oblige you.' the
| maid protested earnestly, but don't dare
| I don't-really and trulyv
WELL then,' said Miss Abigail. iLIpa-
| ttently, what good are you? / can't keep
the man here all night; Suppose you take
If I might make a suggestion" the
! burglar remarked, with Difference. Il would
say"
you think, Lucinda, you could hit him with
| the revolver?
mo, 'am." said Lucinda. II know I
couldn't. Why, I'm shaking all over! I
co0ldn't hit anything-even If knew how
for an officer?"
You know, Lucinda" said Miss Abigail,
scornfully that there isn't policeman
too. I'll warrant"
Yes, 'm," the burglar murmured. And
then he went on, hastily: II was goin' to
suggest-please don't stop me, 'm-that
have no objection to giving UP the bull
dog
'Bulldog" Lucinda exclaimed.
only my pistol. MISS" the burglar went
on Il have reasons for wantin to get rid
OF 1t. Now If you'll let me unfold my arms
minute I'll put my coat on the floor, and
the young lady-I mean Miss Lucinda m m
she &C can pick it up. Have your consent.
III
YES" said Miss Abigail, after a short
pause. She didn't see any way out Of the
difhculty without some risk
Very slowly, and like a conjurer who
demonstrates that all is to be fair and
above-board, the burglar relaxed his arms.
took his coat by the lapels and drew I off
He then allowed it to fall to the floor The
revolver proved its presence by a heavy
thud as IL reached the ground. The burg
lar ther resumed his former position, with
| folded arms.
Abigail 0"'1 -A'''
Lucinda summoned all her courage, made
| a snort rush across the room, snatchei the
coat and scurried back. She dropped the
coat at Miss Abigairs feet
| Abigail.
"Yes. 'm," said the burglar. "I don't
mean to give you any trouble at all.
know when manor a lady-gets the
drop on me. Now, num- IL you'll kindly
take AXE the bulldog out of my pocket, I'd
rather put on my coat again."
Lucinda. take the revolver out of .he
| coat" Miss Abigail said
| BUT I'm afraid to touch It," Lucinda
"Nonsensev said her mistresa. "ho,a
| the coat to me-"
Lucinda lifted the coat. and Miss Abigail
removed the revolver from the pocket, Law
ing IT upon small table at her side Then
| she threw the coat across the room, and
the burglar stopped, picked 1t up and pro-
ceeded to put 1t on.
Nov, mum" he said. moving slowly
around to face Miss Abigail. II haven't any
| weapons, and you've got the best of me.
| II you'll kindly lower the point of your
gun; I'll say few words to you before 1
He leaned easily against the WALL putting
MS hands into his trousers pockets
Miss Abigail eyed him for a few seconds.
and then slowly lowered her revolver She
stii Kept Es tit it ready for or use; however:
suddenly. why did you give up your pistol
"If you won't get mad" said the burglar,
smiling. 'I'll tell you"
can keep my temper" said Miss Abb
gan. with some reserve Proceed"
IT'S like this" said the man You see,
you're a woman. very spirited kind of
| a woman-but still a woman Now, women
are queer. They are always afraid of guns
Miss Abigail Strengthened herself
Il don't wish to offend you. you know
but It's fact" the burglar went on. I've
been knockin' round the world quite piece
and women are always afraid of guns
That's why called you Miss Oakley 1t
was to kind of give you confidence and
make you think l was scared. See? Then
L knew you wouldn't be taking a shot a :
me before you thought. / gave UP nv bull
dog SOS you wouldn't be scared. 1 wanted
you to have plenty of confidence You see
I'm an old hand at this business And ri
take chair II you don't mind"
Before Miss Abigail could collect herself
he had drawn up a chair and seated him
self.
sit down. Lucinda" he remarked
Miss Abigail gaspei, but Lucinda docilely
seated herself on the edge of Miss Abigail's
bed.
L had a pal once" said the burglar. an
parently quite at his ease. who got shot
| by scarin lady like you. She had a gun
just as You have-and plenty o. nerve-same
as you. And irstead of putin up mis- hands
as the lady requested him Gn words to tina t
effect; she hadn't it quite so pat as you,
! ND. he tried to draw his gun. Well, O.
course she pinkei him.
"Plnked him. inquired Miss Abigail
Yes, m through the lung. / got him
| away while the lady was fa!ntin, but he
| never recovered He became a gardener
! or somethin'. and died of IT.
But" began Miss Abigail.
| Just a moment more and I'll 60" said
the burglar You see. he didn't know how
! a woman with gun should be treated
Now my way is like I've shown you. If
| hands. Make her think you're scared. Give
her all the rope she'll take. until she is
quiet and cool-tust as you are now mum.
| Then when you're certain she's quiet anil
not bit scared-why. then you know she
| hasn't the heart to fire a gun at a live
man, even If he is a professional. So
now. mum, being sure you don't mean to
murder man in cold blood when all he
wants is 70 get quietly out of the way, I'll
bid you a very pleasant--good night
| And at the word the burglar rose and
| CUoily across tNe room tDWdr.
the two women. Miss Abigail raised her
revolver from her lap. but the burglar onlv
smiled at her and paused The revolver
dropred again.
With a nod the burglar went to the door.
opened it. passed through, closed the door
again. and then ran down the stairs a.;
fast as his feet would carry him.
| The women remained speechess until
they heard the front door close. Then LID
| cnda said:
why, he's forgotten his revolver-
| "You-gump!' said Miss Abigail "Why
didn't you show some spirit?'
! What could l do?" Lucinda said, begin
| ming to cry.
There. there!' remarked Miss Ahieail
| I'm glad he's gone. / didn't know what
in the world to do with him. AMI he knew
I didn't. the rascal! oh, who would be a
woman?'
MEMS SOCIETY CLOTHES.
What They should Wear Whom They
Go Out on Pleasure Bent.