The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-08-02

self, said the voice, growing more
and more imperious in its accents.
"Open the door, please"
''I can't" said Bessie, in despera'
tion. "The key is gone, / tell you.
"Then open q window. At once,
please. Matters are becoming q little
suspicious" she heard the unknown
claimant say to some one outside.
III WON'T" said Bessie, vaiiantly.
"My orders are to-"
"Will you be 80 good rs TO stand
aside?" interrupted the voice. 81 am
the constablel"
There was a sudden sound Of break
ing glass and splintering wood; the
big stained glass window in the hal
was shivered to atoms, and two mer
sprang in.
"Beg your pardon, I'm sure" said
the foremost Of the pair; "but we're
in search of an escaped convict "A
burglar-who is concealed somewhere
in this neighborhood, aud it is our
duty to leave no stone unturned to
capture him. You, at least" with a
smile, "are no villain in disguise"
Miss Sparkle gave a gasp.
"What is Mrs. Edgecumbe like ?"
said she.
"Short and stout, with light blue
eyes and very white hair" was the
surprised answer. "Where is she?
Have you called her?"
"ohe isn't here at all," said Bessie.
"And-and I'm almost certain that
the burglar is up stairs, in woman's
clothes. Oh, dear oh, dear wonder
I'm not murdered Go and look in
oil the rooms. looked, but it was SO
gloomy, and oh, please hurryl"
But their search revealed only a
heap of women's clothing and pair
of spectacles lying close to the base
ment door. A draught Of evening sir
was floating through an open cellar
window, and the imitation Mrs. Edge
cumLe was gone.
"But, said Bessie, growing hysteri-
cal again, "wbat is to become of mei"
The constable eyed her rather
obviously. He had not yet heard that
the burglar had any accomplices, but
circumstances were beginning to look
very strange.
Here" said quiet voice, clos
to them, at that moment, "what il
my house all open for at this time OF
night? And what are you doing here,
Sam Wiggins?"
"It's Mrs. Edgecumbe." shouted
| the constable.
"Why, who should it be?" demanded
the newcomer. Il got letter this
morning, begging me to go up to my
sisters, at Deephayen, with my house.
keeper, and when 1 got there, it
seemed that it was a false summons.
returned at once, and find a lot OF
people in possession. Now what does
all this mean?"
Between the constable and the con-
stables deputy aud Miss Sparkle, the
| question was soon elucidated.
The telegram had been sheepishly
handed Mrs Edgecumbe Us she drove
past the railroad station, and she was
prepared to see the New York visitor.
But the burglar had made his escape.
with my best silver. forks and
spoons-the scoundrell' cried Mrs
Edgecumbe, as she opened her safe.
The insolence of the wretch--tryine
to pass himself of as me!
"And such good supper rs cooked
him !" said Bessie, ringing her hands.
well capture him yet, never fear, u
said Sam Virgins, encouragingly
"He cant have got much of start y
And he went away with his subordi-
nate, leaving Miss Sparkle and Mrs
Edgecumbe to cultivate each other's
acquaintance Mt their leisure.
At about noon the next day the con.
stabulary wagon drove by, with the
burglar comfortably seated on the
back seat, decorated with handouts.
Your forks and spoons are oil right
Mrs. Edgecumbe!" called out Sam
Virgins.
The burglar looked up and met Bes
sic Sparkle's horriied gaze.
Was it only her imagination, or did
he actually wink at her?
"Well," she cried, hurriedly with
drawing her head from the open win.
dow, "that was really al adventure
Ii / had known who he was.
Mrs. Edgecumbe laughed. She and
Bessie had become excellent friends
by that time.
Yes" said she, "you must have
thought l was very eccentric lady,
indeed. Saturday Night.