The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-22
A BOLD, BAD BURGLAR.
BY EMILY r. SCHMIDT.

there is no place secure from them.
The papers contain nothing but bur-
glaries, robberies and hold-ups. l am
almost afraid to look under the bed at
might"
Blanche Warden turned the rings on
her fingers nervously as she spoke. She
was not timid girl, but the final test
of bravery had never come to her.
''Wlhat would you do in case burglar
entered your room, Mr.. DulanoT she
asked, addressing one of her callers.
Exactly what did last night" the
gentleman replied.
"You surely didn't have a burglar las.
night" Blanche cried.
sand why not? I'm keeping the af-
is being followed up. OF course, it will
be safe to mention it here" Dulano re-
piled.
ITO be sure. Do tell us about it," the
girl said, eagerly.
at must have been about 2:30 O'Clock
this morning when was aroused by
some one turning key in the door
that communicates with the adjoining
room. I'm pretty stupid when | first
awaken; but | was soon aroused to full
Consciousness 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 change"
"At what time did you say that oc
CURED ?" Arthur Forrest asked.
"Well, didn't have any watch to tell
me the exact time; but after had lain
awake some three or four hours the
chimes on Pilgrim church sounded the
three-quarter hour, and after an equal
ly long time the clock struck three"
Dulano 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 wasn't in your
room, too. Arth-NLr. 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 l 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 |. am alone" Miss
Warden said. with some uneasiness.
Really. Blanche, it isn't safe for you
to stay here alone" Arthur said, seri-
ously.
"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. It would be real fun
% have a burglar come" Blanche re-
piled, laughing.
Then they dismissed that terror-in-
spring theme from their conversations;
but Arthur cGtinued restless and I'M
Easy. Ne stood at the window and
gazed mooduy out on the moonlit boule-
ward while his hostess played and sang.
AS Dulano turned the music for her,
he whispered. softly:
"Slip into the library a moment. 1
have something important to say to
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 50 silent this
evening, dear?" she asked, tenderly.
"Oh, Blanche, l hate that Dulano. l
suppose l am jealous, but wish you
wouldn't have him hanging round
here" he exclaimed, while his hand
some face crimsoned.
"But, 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 promise" the girl
said, seriously.
mo. dearest, [ do not doubt you. I
felt sorry for him, stranger there a.
the clearinghouse. And besides l
wanted him to meet the sweetest wom-
m in ST. Louis" he whispered, as he
pressed just the suggestion of q kiss
on her cheek.
"By the way, I'll go and hunt up that
Harper for you, DEAR" she said, with an
effort at spontaniety that was not al
together a success. Then she left the
Erawing-room; walked half way up the
stairs, descended softly and slipped
into the library. Dulano was at her
side in an instant.
"I'm sorry you spoke of the jewels
and things" he said. 81 have reason to
think Forrest is the burglar. He has
been losing heavily at cards lately and
Is in danger Of losing his position at the
bank" he whispered, hurriedly.
AT the mention of Arthur's name
Blanche would have cried out, but the
man placed his fingers ,leftly over her
lips. As soon as the speech was ended
she fled to her room, hunted up the mag
1zine and returned to the drawing-room.
The two men were glazing at each other
in angry silence when she entered.
''This call promises to be a game of
so guess / will leave and
give you a chance to help Miss Warden
put away the silver" Mr.. Dulano said in
o family sarcastic tone to Forrest.
"If Miss Warden desires my help
al