The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-27
The ROMANCE OF A BURGLARY.
by FRED BOYLE.
Copyrighted, 1896, by Fred Boyle.


house. George Maynard's friends were
making a good deal of noise all the same
when his valet broke in, white and fur
ried:
please, sir I've just seen a man at your
room door! He"
All the young warriors sprang to their
feet laughing and cheering Such an
nouncements are ineligible at the first
whisper in these days.
did he see your" George cried.
I'm sure he didn't sir. He just"
Maitland, you know the house! Cut
round the terrace towards my room Go
with Maitland. you feEows-youn find
knobsticks and Kaffir things in the hall!
Look out for a laddep-and, say. look
out for wires! Il. start the game from
this side''
Bursting with silent laughter. the guests
ran out unanimously.
Rouse the men at the stables. Collins!
You others follow me-"
The small procession crept upstairs. Sud-
denly whistle rang outside.
"Confound it!' George nluttered, that's
an alarm!'' and he threw himself against
the door. 1t was fast
Get crowbar or something! Stand
guard the rest of your
George ran down and out. 1t was dark
as pitch He heard the others shouting
and laughing, and he shouted in return
They had found the ladder, but just miss
ed the thieyes-"unless," said Maitland,
some of them are Gagged in your ROOM
They hurried upstairs-the door was
forced by this time.
THE beggars have got off, sir, every one
of EN- said Collins, but can't see that
anything is missing. Twas mercy
came up just then, sir wasn't it? Look
at the safe, sir. In two minutes they d
have had it open. Those chaps know their
business They turned off the gas instant
ly, OF some of 'em would have been
caughtr'
There was nothing more to be DONE
George dispatched message to the police,
and went 10 reassure Aunt Kitty. Then
the banquet was resumed.
Somewhere in the small hours George
sought his room. After Collins had LETT 1t
occurred to him to take bath-the night
was suItry and he had drunk just the
jumped out of bed. A shower bath stood
in the corner of the dressing-room. AS
he turned up the gas, the curtains parted,
and a little boy stepped out-a very little
boy.
George took him by the ear: "Are there
any more of your?
mo, sir; they ran away while was In
this room"
Didn't my people search here?' George
asked, looking around.
ooh, yes; was under that chair"
George sat down holding his prisoner by
the ear.
Have you been to schools"
Eyes, sir-boarding school,.
Didn't they teach you that it is wicked
to commit burglary"
Il don't remember any lessons about
& burglary"
"Humph! Do you know the ten COM
Il think So sir. oh, 1 see what you
q mean-we're not rich folks!'
'Eh? What has that to do with it?'
Its wicked for people to steal when
they have everything they want, OF
course!-If you please, sir, I'm so hun
cry"
George laughed, but he gave the ear a
tweak.
You're such sharp little boy, that
dare say you invented that pretty piece oo ol
business for yourself but it's been zone
before. Why didn't you get out OF this
room when all was quiet?
There were so many people about down
stairs sir. And I heard your voice wnen
you came in, and l thought you wouldn
~ hurt me-oh."
ITS quite true that m gentle and in
nocent. but you're mistaken in thinking
81 I'm a fool, my boy. l shall put you 10
sleep with my man to-night-he will md
n YOU something to eat Tomorrow you
will go to prison."
He colored slightly, thought moment,
and whispered, half smiling Flease sr'
MI I'm a grill"
"ohl il this also is a trick of your own
Il invention you have an eye for dramatic
effect"
'Ifs true. indeed, SIR My name is
Rose -,
Rose what? Where do you live?"
Il live with my father, sir"
Mr.. william Sykes, presume Are you
fond of him2''
"Oh. I am indeed sir!'
1t was vastly curious, but George wants
ed to go to sleep. He locked her IN ana
went 10 rouse Aunt Kitty. the hunors
of that Interview are worth chronlchhs
vi had | space In the end Aunt hitty anu
her faithful maid, accompanied George TO
his room, where they found the chi9 CITY
ing-but only with hunger she SAID
Her assurance is astonishing. ONE
might think that burglars spoiled their
children" murmured Aunt kitty
George dismissed them and turned IN az
last 1t was broad daylight now. SIX
hours afterward he waited on his aunt,
solemnity.
"slt down, dear Georgel In the first
place, / ask your promise to say not a
word TO any one about the events OF last
night. Thank you. have decided TO take
this very interesting little girl under my
charge, 20 educate her and make her an
honest. God-fearing woman" She paus-
ed nefyously for reply.
Il have nothing 20 say, aunt. for the OBJ
jectons that rise TO my mind In shoals
must have occurred TO you. But you Will
not lose sight OF your protege2 III keep
stan OF men on guard outside the house,
II You viii answer for the inside"
This Is irony. George"
"Oh, no. You see, the little girl has a
parent. not 20 speak OF her friends. lie
WIZ be hanging about the place like a
nineoneoiaie yuiturc robbed 81 iis young"
'iiosa sayn not She will tell me MOTH
~ about him Or about herself but she
1fs hcr father Will De- glad 20 know nhe
provided for. 4 have given her Dermis-
ia a.. I.Ia