Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-20
aroused: another happy effect of his liba-

aroused. another happy erect OIL MS iioa-
tons.
Without one thought of burglars Bowl
der deferred his journey upstairs, and re-
paired instead to the dining room below.
Bowlder would investigate the untoWafd
noises which, while soft and light, were
still of such volume as might tell upon
the ear.
wonder f the house is haunted?" OBJ
served Bowlder as he went OBVIOUSLY be-
low. f.
1t has already been noted that Bowlder
never once bethought him of burglars,
In truth he had often scoffed at burglars
while conversing with Mrs. b. on TINS
subject SO interesting to ladies'; ana had
said that no burglar could make day
wages robbing the house.
1t had all the thrill of perfect surprise
then when, as Bowlder turned into his
dining room he beheld bulls eye IAN
tern sitting on the table, shedding male
violent stream of light in his face; and
caught the shadowy outlines OF tall
man behind 1t who seemed engaged i'll
pointing a gun at him.
Hold up your hands," said the tall
man, and don't come step further, or
out goes your light"
well, 1 like thish," observed Bowlder.
in a tone of querulous. complaint, at the
same time, however, clasping his hands
above his head; II like thish. What's the
row here?"
The tall man made no reply, but came
round and deftly ran his hands over
Bowlder for possible arms. Bowlder had
no gun The tall man seemed satisfied
and stepping back, told Bowlder he might
sit down on a chair and rest his hands
In his lap. Bowder took advantage of
the permission.
ANY objections to me lghtin She
gar?" auerfed Bowlder q
Not at ALL" said the tall man.
uya nIIffin0 ReiDEr
friendly, not to say polite. by nature,
Bowlder bestowed one on his visitor.
rs 1t mild cigar?" asked the burglar.
"Colorado-claro." said Bowlder
That's all right" assented the other.
IT don't like a strong smoke; 1t makes
my head ache"
AS the visitor lighted the cigar Bowlder
noticed that he wore black mask across
his eyes, and that the latter shown
through the apertures cut for their con-
yenience like beads. The mask gave
Bowlder a chill which the pistol had not
evoked. Indeed it came very near de-
stroying the whole force of the drinks he
had accumulated.
When the stranger had lighted his CT
gar Bowlder and he puffed at each other
a few moments without a word.
what are you doing in my house?" at
last demanded Bowlder.
The stranger smiled and puffed on.
Then he kicked a large sack with his
foot. Bowlder had not observed this sack
before AS the stranger touched 1t with
his foot it gave out a metallic clnking.
Bowlder's eyes roamed instinctively to
the sideboard. There wasn't much left,
but enough to show Bowlder that the
sideboard's burden of silverware was
gone. With such a start Bowlder was
able to infer great deal.
Made a clean sweep, eh?" remarked
Bowlder
The masked stranger nodded
IF you've got all there is loose and lit
tie in the house." said Bowlder-he was
talking palmer every moment now
you've got $500 worth. Been up shtairs
YETI"
Again the man of the mask nodded He
| also showed symptoms of being about to
| depart.
Don't go yet" demonstrated Bowlder.
want to talk to you. Did you get the
| old ladys jewelry upstairs?"
| Again the burglar nodded He seemed
disinclned to use his voice unless 1t was
| necessary
"That's bad" remarked Bowlder re-
fectively; referring to the conquest of
his first wfe's jewelry. 1.-The old lady
wont do a thing but make me buy her
some more. And the worst of it Is. she'll
| put up the figures en- what jimcracks