Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-03-03
me. It's richl" Burglar Ben was fair
ly Intoxicated with the prospect

I tGfo<.A1ANNd WIN AAN prs ItIAs
you must not laugh out loud that
way, Tom" protested Susan. pinchins
his arm as he dubbed over with merri-
ment
That's so. that's So" whispered the
loving Ben, I'VE must keep mum. Yon
know, my angel, we talked over sew
eral points that we thought of going TO.
You still think we had best go Toto
'Why. to Chicago, of counsel l
thought that was all settled, Tom?"
sit is, it is, certainly, my lovel Now,
we're not so far from the depot, and
we must have our course fully under
stood. I've got it all thought out, you
see We won't buy any tickets in the
depot. but pay on the train, if neces-
eary. though don't think it win be
necessary. OF course II we went to
the waiting room some one might rec
ognize us. thorrh even you. darling.
1 am sure. won't know me when you
see me, for have on black wig and
false mustache. and different clothes
have changed my face. expression and
voice as much as ! could. I've been
practicing for this. you see"
''Oh, Toni how smart you are"
gasped Susan.
"Yes, that's fact" assented Ben.
'I'mapretty smooth guy mean duck.
Anyway. when the train pulls in we
will be standing in the dark across the
way. and slip into one Of the coaches
and sit down and pretend to be asleep
when the conductor comes along. You
do just what tell You and il will be o.
K. my sweetheart"
"Yes. Tom" answered Susan.
"Say, my dewdrop, wouldn't II be ro-
mantle TO get Off two or three stations
out and have some preacher marry us?"
cooed the captivating Ben.
"0h, Toni" gurgled Susan.
"Then we will. Oh. you are a lulul"
murmured Ben under his breath.
Presently they stood in the dark
ness at the end of a coal shed across
the street from the depot. Scarcely any
one was moving about. and the street
lights looked like yellow spots in the
fog and gloom. The pair occasionally
exchanged whispered words, and again
Susan protested about the onions. At
last the train came in, and the men be-
gan unloading the baggage. At that
the runaway couple stole up to the
train on the dark side, slipped into
the chair car unobserved, and took
seats. The lights were turned low and
apparently the passengers were all
asleep. Susan, all a-lutter with ex-
element. glanced at her escort. She
at once opened her mouth TO scream,
but Burglar Ben put his hand quickly
over her mouth.
take a good look at me and see IL
you don't like me in my disguised" he
whispered. Susan obediently looked
with wide, frightened eyes.
My. she gasped, you are awfully
changed. but are handsomer than ever.
Tom"
"And you are a peach!" whispered
the craftsman. squeezing her hand.
Two men reclined apparently asleep
in the seats just before them. Glanc-
ing about quickly Burglar Ben reached
over and took from their hats the blue
slips of pasteboard which conductors
give passengers after punching their
tickets. One of these he placed in his
own hat and the other he stuck in the
window-frame near Susan's head. He
then nestled down in his seat. spread |
handkerchief over his face. pulled his |
hat down over that. drew Susan's |
yelled face on his shoulder. and began |
to snore in a soft, slow fashion. "When |
the conductor comes through. darling. |
snore Just trifie," he whispered.
During this time one of the men from
whom the pasteboard Slips had been
taken turned round with the noiseless
movement Of cat after a mouse. He
glanced at the slip in Burglar Ben's hat,
drew n pair of handouts from his
pocket. and STOPPING over the snoring
couple softly took the cracksman's
hand.
what are you doing, dovey ?" muir
INJURED Burglar Ben, from under the
Then suddenly he leaped
up with a smothered yell and tried to
strike at the man before him.
But handcuffS were on ms wrists.
The conductor entered at that mo-
ment. Susan screamed. andthe burglar
tried to dive through the window. but
was caught by his feet and held. The
depot Waterman seized him by the head
on the outside of the car, and the gallant
came near being pulled in
twain. A brakeman quickly turned up
the light. while the conductor and the
men who had lost the slips pulled Bur-
glar Ben back into the car, leaving his
wig and mustache in the hands of the
on the outside, The TO-
mantle cracksman looked common
place, but fought with uncommon
spirit.
"Oh, it isn't Tom. 1t isn't my Tom
1t ALL" screamed Susan. jumping up
Ind down in the aisle of the car. "T'm
'loping with the wrong mani" In ,