The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-01-28
A BOLD, BAD BURGLAR.
BY EMILY II. SCHMIDT.

slarleS, rObDerleS and hOlu-upS. l am
almost afraid to look under the bed at
Eight."
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.. Dulano?" she
asked, addressing one of her callers.
Exactly what [ did last night" the
gentleman replied.
You surely didn't have a burglar last
night" Blanche cried.
And why not? I'm keeping the af-
fair quiet because l have clcw that
is being followed up OF course, it Will
he safe to mention it here" Dulano re-
piled.
ITO be sure. Do tell us about it," the
girl said, eagerly.
1T must have been about .: 30 o'clock
this morning when l was aroused by
some one turning a key in tlhe door
that communicates with the adjoining
room. I'm pretty stupid when first
awaken; but was soon aroused to full
'eoHsci ous1css by something cold
against my temple"
ooh, how dreadful" Blanche cried,
s.hivcring.
THAT wasn't the dreadful part" Du
iano 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 Svhat 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 hours the
chimes on Pilgrim church sounded the
three-quartcr hour, and after an equal
aY 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-Mr. Forrcst?" Blanche
cried
Yes, but he had the kindness to let
me sleep until be got what he wanted,
lie 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 ! have to stay in
tthis great house with no one but the
servants. You know poor Leona is very
i'll and papa and mamma were called to
b. Chicago to-day, so | am alone" Miss
Warden said, with some uneaSiness.
Really. Blanche, it isn't safe for YOU
10 stay here alone" Arthur said, seri.
cusly.
'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 a 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 ard
gazed noodily out on the mOOnlit boulc-
ward while his hostess played and sang.
As Dulano turned the music for her,
ne whispered, softly:
slip into the library moment. [
have something important to say to
YOU" Then he said, aloud: 81 think
shall take a smoke in the library, if
may be excused"
When he had left the room Blanche
to h0y wind
and laid her hand gently on Arthur's
arm. What makes you so silent this
evening, dear" she asked, tenderly.
"Oh, Blanche, l hate that Dulano. I
suppose | am jealous, but l wish yea
wouldn't have him hanging round
here" he exclaimed, while his hand
come face crmsoned.
"But, Arthur, you brought him here
tefore you ever spoke of love to NE,
Surely you are not afraid of him now
that you have my promise" the girl
said, seriously.
mo. dearest, 1 do not doubt you. l
felt sorry for him, u stranger there a
the boarding-house. And besides ]
wanted him to meet the sweetest wom-
an in St. Louis" he whispered, as III
pressed just the suggestion Of a 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
drawing-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
hcen 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
snan placed his fingers deftly over her
dips. As soon as the speech was ended
she fed to her room, hunted up the mag
.azine and returned to the drawing
The two men were glazing at each other
in angry silence when she entered.
"This call promises TO be a game OF
freeze-out, so l guess l will leave and