The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-04-16
A BOLD, BAD BURGLAR


there is no place secure from them. The
papers contain nothing but burglaries,
robberies and hold-ups. / am almost
afraid to look under the bed at night"
Blanche Warden turned the rings on
her fingers nervously as she spoke. She
!. was not a timid girl, but the final test
of bravery had never come to her.
.'What would you do in case burg
lar entered your room, Mr.. Dulano?"
she asked, addressing one Of her call
ers.
Exactly what did last night" the
gentleman replied.
'You surely didn't have a burglar
last night!' Blanche cried.
'.And why not? l am keeping the
affair quiet because I have a clew that
is being followed up. Of course it will
be safe to mention it here" Dulano
replied.
ITO be sure. Do tell US about it,
the girl said, eagerly.
1T must have been about 2:3O o'clock
this morning when 1 was aroused by
someone turning key in the-door that
communicates with the adjoining room.
Vim pretty stupid when first awaken,
but | was soon aroused to full con-
seriousness by something cold against
my temple"
.'Oh, how Dreadful Blanche cried,
shivering.
''That wasn't the dreadful part" Du-
lano laughed. 'The part object most
to is what followed. The fellow held
his gun calmly with one hand while he
went through my clothes and helped
himself to my watch, my diamond
scarf pin and all my ready money"
'At what time did you say that oc-
curred?' Arthur Forrest asked.
"Well, didn't have any watch to tell
me the exact time, but after had lain
awake some three or four minutes the
chimes on Pilgrim Church sounded the
three-quarter hour and after an equal
ly long time the clock struck g." Du-
lano replied, with a comical drawl.
"Guess it was watches he was after.
He got mine at about the same time.
Wonder If he visited any of the other
fellows at our house?" Forrest said.
"What! the burglar was in your
room, too, Arth-Mr. Forrest?' Blanche
cried
"Yes, but he had the kindness to let
me sleep until he got what he wanted.
He awakened me as he went through
the window" the young man replied.
"Oh, please don't tell me any more, ~
Blanche exclaimed. 'You will have
me so frightened. And I have to stay
in this great house with no one but the
servants. You know poor Leona is
very ill and papa and mamma were
called to Chicago to-day, SO 1 am
Alone" Miss Warden said with some
uneasiness.
Really, Blanche, it isn't safe for you
to stay here Alone" Arthur said, Sc.
riously.
"Oh, I'm not afraid. I'll put the jew
els and plate in the big chest in the
wine cellar and sleep with a revolver
under my pillow. 1t would be real fun
to have burglar come" Blanche re-
piled, laughing.
Then they dismissed that terror-in
spring theme from their conversation
but Arthur continued restless and un
easy. He stood at the window and
sang. As Dulano turned the music fol
her, he whispered softly:
"Slip into the library for moment
i have something important to say te
you" Then he said aloud: 81 think
shall take smoke in the library, if
may be excused
When he had left the room Blanche
walked over to the deep bay window
and laid her hand gently on Arthur's
arm. What makes you so silent thi:
evening, dear?" she asked tenderly.
"Oh, Blanche, hate that Dulano.
suppose / am jealous, but / wish yoI
wouldn't have him hanging around
here" he exclaimed, while his. hand
some face crimsoned.
'tBut, Arthur, you brought him here
before you ever spoke Of love to me
Surely, you are not afraid of him now
that you have my promises" the gir
said seriously.
mo, dearest, do not doubt you.
felt sorry for him-a stranger there al
the boarding house. And, besides,
wanted him to meet the sweetest WON
an In st. Louis" he whispered, as he
pressed just the suggestion of kiss
on her cheek.
by the way, I'll go and hunt up that
Harper for you, DEAR" she said, with
an effort at spontaneity that was not
altogether a success Then she left the
drawing room, walked half way up the
stairs, descended softly and slipped In
to the library. Dulano was at her side
IN an instant