Smyrna times., 1895-07-24

OuSseu dFOunu Oy anOLner man.
don't mind lady's doing pecially
when she's handy with revolver"
mo nonsense nOw," said Miss abb
gail. with dignity.
beg pard'n MN; no offence, hope
only meant to say that l took to
burglary because l enjoy it. Pm not
one of the snivelling kind, anyhow
Pm burglar, and I'm proud of it,"
"YOu haven't much to be proud of
tonight" said Miss Abigail, sharply.
"Oh, the nights not over yet," said
the burglar, easily. 1--WE got out of
worse fixes than this"
Miss Abigail began to be a little un-
easy.
II won't have any nonsense" she
said, abruptly.
Don't be disturbed" said the burg
lar, reassuringly. 81 won't hurt you !''
Il should think not :" responded
Miss Abigail, Indignantly.
"But | mean to get out of this
scrape," said the burglar. ST don't
mean to do anything that will bring
me into the electricity chair, MN; but
Pm going to get away"
Miss Abigail said no more, but she
became impatient for the appearance
of the maid. She rang the bell again.
Footsteps came along the hall, and
there was knock at the door.
Come in !" said Miss Abigail. in a
tone of great relief.
The maid entered, and for a moment
stood speechless surveying the group
of twO-the man facing the wall, and
Miss Abigail sitting on guard with lam
tern and revolver
Lucinda" said Miss Abigail, Eight
the gas"
"But"-the maid began.
Light the gas" repeated her mis-
tress.
Lucinda found match, and in a
moment more the rays of the lantern
were lost in the general illumination.
Now" said Miss Abigail, this man
is a rObber--a burglar"
"Oh ~ shrieked the maid.
Don't be silly !" said Miss Abigail,
impatiently; but listen. He has re.
vOlver in his right-hand pocket"
IF you please, m'm," remarked the
burglar, cant you let me give you
the revolver? My arms are so stiff
that p
"Silence !'broke in his captor. THAT
will come in good time. AS | said
Lucinda, he has a revolver, and we
must get it. You 90 over and take it
out of his pocket, and if he moves I'll
make him wish he hadn't"
Miss Abigail, ,pd like to oblige you"
the maid protested earnestly, "but
don't dare. l dOn't-really and truly ~
"Well, then" said Miss Abigail, i'm
patiently, what good are you? can't
keep the man here all night. Suppose
you take the revolver, then, and I'll
disarm him"
"If might make a suggestion" the
burglar remarked, with Difference, 81
would say
Hush p said Miss Abigail, sharply.
DO you think, Lucinda, you could hit
him with the revolver ?"
mo, m'm," said Lucinda, 81 know l
couldn't. Why, Pm shaking all over
| couldn't hit anything-eveni if knew
how to fire the gun-and | don't.
Shan't go for AN ofiicer?"
You know, Lucinda" said Miss
Abigail, scOrnfully, that there isn't
policeman within five miles. The
burglar knows it, too, I'll warrant"
"Yes, m'm," the burglar murmured,
And then he went on, hastily: Il was
going to suggest-please don't stop me,
M m'm--that l have no objection to Civ
ing up the bulldog
Bulldog !" Lucinda exclaimed.
only my pistol, MISS" the burglar
went on, Il have reasons for wanting
to get rid of it. Now, if you'll let me
unfold my arms a minute. Pll put my
coat on the floor, and the young lady
mean Miss Lucinda, m'm-she can
pick it up. Have your consent.
m'm?"
"Yes," said Miss Abigail, after short
pause. She didn't see any way out of
the difficulty without some risk.
Very slowly, and, like a coniuror
who demonstrates that all is to be fair
and above-board, the burglar relaxed
his arms, took his coat by the lapels.
and drew if off. He then allowed it TO
fall to the floor. The revolver proved
its presence by a heavy thud on the
floor. The burglar then resumed
his former position, with folded arms.
go aud get the coat, Lucinda, j" said
Miss Abigail.
Lucinda summoned all her courage,
made a short rush across the room,
snatched the coat, and scurried back.
She dropped the coat at Miss Abigail's
feet.
us that your only weapon" asked
Miss Abigail.
"Yes, m'm." said the burglar, Il
don't mean to give you any trouble at
all. | know when manor a lady
gets the drop on me. Now if you'll !
kindly take the bull dog out of my
pocket. I'd rather put on my coat
again"
Lucinda, take the revolver out of
the coat" Miss Abigail said.
"But Pm afraid to touch it,"Luciuda |
said, timorously.
Nonsense l''said her mistress; "hand |
the coat to me-"
Lucinda lifted the coat, and Miss
Abigail removed the revolver from the |
pocket, laying it upon a small table at
her side. Then she threw the coat
across the room, and the burglar
stopped, picked it up, and proceeded
10 put it on.
Now, m'm," he said, moving slowly
around to face Miss Abigail, II haven't
any weapons, and you've got the best
Of me, If you'll kindly lower the
point Of your gun, I'll say few words
10 you before CO."
He leaned easily against the wall.
putting his hands into his trousers
pockets. Miss Abigail eyed him for
ew seconds, and then slowly lowered
1er revolver. She kept it ready for
lse, however.
"Are you coward ?" Miss Abigail
lsked suddenly. Why did you give
Up your pistol so readily ?"
IF you won't get mad" said the
burglar, smiling, "I'll tell you"
Il can keep my temper" said Miss
Abigail, with some reserve. Proceed"
Its like this" said the man; "you
zee, you are a woman. A very spirited
kind OF woman-but still woman.
Now, women are queer. They are al.
ways afraid of guns"
Miss Abigail Strengthened herself.
II don't wish to offend you. Won
know, but it's a fact, the burglar went
IN. I've been knocking round the
world quite a time aud women are al.
ways afraid of guns. That's why /
alled you Miss Oakley. 1t was To
ind nf orfxya xyot,