Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-01-13


climbed out upon the ladder. 81 made
= separate package of my silverware-
the spoons and knives and forks and
butter-dlsh and creamer-for If father
is mad and won't take Us back Wen
have that much to commence with, any
way"
you are a darling! you are a lulu!"
exclaimed the burglar, IN a transport
Of joy
''S-h-h-h. don't speak out loud!"
gasPed Susan. How funny your voice
sounds, Toni"
Yes. I've got it disguised. too" whis-
pered Burglar Ben. We've got 10 be
awful careful, sweetheart. you know
Say, you didn't forget your pocketbook,
darling?"
'sNo. that's in the bottom Of the bag"
I'm glad Of that, for I didn't get
rear as much money out Of the govern
or as thought should. How much
have you got?'
They were now on the ground in the
darkness among the shrubbery. six
ty-six dollars" whispered sweet Susan
You are q peach!" gurgled Burglar
Ben. enthusiastically. BETTER let me
carry Il for you. dearest; we might pos
sibIy lose the valise, you knowI"
Yes. of course you can take II, Tom.
and use il if you need il, too, but if
We open the handbag here in the dark
well surely lose some Of my things
out Wait till we get on the train, dar-
ling" whispered Susan.
'AIl-au right" reluctantly assent
ed the obhging burglar, but let me
carry the silverware, 50 you can hold
your dress clear of the damp grass,
I'm afraid you are going TO get your
dear feet wet and catch cold. my loved
one, and if you should catch cold and
and die-oh, how could I ever en-
dure TO live after that"
There was grief expressed in the
gentle burglars husky voice, and Su-
san leaned her cheek against his shout
der and little sob Of commiseration
shook her loyal bosom. And, oh. if I
should die and you should wed another,
darling. II would-it would break my
heart." she quavered.
With a responsive sob Burglar Ben
took the package Of silverware from
her unresisting hands. Never" he
whispered hoarseIy; no other woman
can ever fill the place you now occupy
in my heart! Though you had been
dead a thousand years I should still
remember you. dearest. as the softest
snap-the-tbe one bright angel Of my
earthly pilgrimage. Hold fast my arm
now. sweetheart, and let Us slope-let
us move silently. but surely, toward
our glorious future!"
Susan turned. and with swimTnin e
eyes gazed a moment up at the vague
black bulk of the Simmons mansion.
''Good-by." she whispered. and sti-
fling the sobs which arose. she went,
clinging 10 the arm of her supposed
lover. out through the shrubbery,
across an orchard. and through 2 back
gate into dark side street.
All this time Tom TTotter lay on his
back rhythmicaIly snoring at the cell
ing in the second story Of the Trotter
home. four blocks away. That an
svenging nightmare, or something
more demoniac, did not seize and
strangle him is but one more illustra-
ton of the mysterious passivity and
indifference of nature often displayed
at one point while the most moment
Gus matters are in process Of accom-
plishment at another. Surely if there
is any truth in the theory of soul-com-
munion Tom should have awakened
and rushed TO the rescue of his lady
love. but the fidelity of this chronicle
permits nothing Of the sort TO be re-
corded; Tom snored on until break Of
day.
However, Susan's peril, for the mo-
ment at least, seemed anything but
serious. since her delightful burglar
was as tender and solicitous as any
one, save Tom. could have wished. As
proof of this have TO state that they
had no more than passed through the
gate when they paused, and in the
midst of the pause Susan again
expressed her SORROW that he had
thought it necessary TO eat onions. 1t
spoiled the flavor of-of everything"
she said; but she did like the mus
tache. and hoped he would cultivate
one of his own as soon as possible"
4 viii. my darling eooed Burglar
Ben; lit shall be world beater. Say,
you didn't forget your jewelry, did you
the diamond ring and-and the
''Oh, you silly thing! how could
forget those?" came Susan's painting
whisper.
Where did the dear ducksy put her
trinkets? In the valise. of course" He
had that in his hand. and was debating
if the present moment were not good
time TO bolt
"Oh. dear no, not in that" gurgled
sweet Susan.
You didn't put your diamonds in
here with the swag-the siIverware,
did you?' murmured the solicitous
burglar.
No, no." Uttered Susan, 4 can't
tell you now-wait - maybe after
awhile" But she added nothing
more. The darkness and fog mercifulIy
covered her bushes.
She's hid the sparklers somewhere;
probably inside her Clothes was the
disappointed mental comment of
Burglar Ben. He was silent a moment
as he slowly picked his way down the
dark street Lets see. your next birth
day isis" he hesitated.
why, Tom, have you forgotten? It's
the 23d, OF course,''
''Oh. yes, certainly. How stupid I
am! Then you viii be just-just-"
Just 10. Amt you ashamed TO for
get like that? you naughty. bad boy.''
and she squeezed his arm affectionatelv.
I'm not used TO this I never eLoped
before, and I guess I'm slightly rat
tied" murmured the burglar with a
smotbered laugh. Its fun. though. =