The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-12-23
THE BURGLARS TWO.


ourselves almost the only visitors in
the place-quite the only ones. in fact,
at the Park hotel. Consequently We
mad choice of rooms. and 1t was pure.
iy accidental that we chose the corner
sltting-room on the second floor
'front.'" overlooking the grounds Of the
nctei and also the Peoples park.
The western wall Of the hotel gar
dens formed the eastern boundary OF
the park. and our room was at right
angles to the wall. Immediately be-
meath it. on the park side. was row
OF garden seats.
One night Hargreaves and were lux
uriating in lounge after dinner. The
room was in darkness and We were
quiet for once-enjoylng smoke and
half doing.
Presently / was reused by the sound
OF voices talking outside. The window
was open and drew aside the curtain
and looked out.
Two men occupied the seat just be-
low me. on the park side OF the wall
decent looking fellows, as far as could
tell in the dusk. / looked ca-elessly
at them for a moment. and was about
to return to my pipe when word or
two caught my ear / leaned forward
and listened eagerly.
Then it's all settled. We sneak "
the drive, steal ladder and you climb
In at the landing window. We shan't
be disturbed; old Seaton sleeps at he
back OF the house. so do the servants.
Go en-"
''Her room Is in the front-the first
on the left from the landing window.
I spotted 1t the other night when ! was
strolling up and down"
ooh! never mind that. Hurry up"
We'll, you know what to do next.
Seize the little darling, gag her. lower
her down to me-she's a mere feather
weight-follow. and ri manage the
rest"
'Sh-sh! Not so loud"
The speaker glanced apprehenslvely |
over his shoulder at the hotel.
You're sure this place is empty"
he went on. "There1l be Pretty COW |
dye do if we've been overheard!
'Of course it's empty. How funky
you are."
We'll, 1 don't care about the Susi- |
ness. IT'S internally risky, and
"Oh! come. you can't back out OF It
now. You understand? Meet me ct !
1880 o'clock at the cross roads half
mile from Seaton hall. Then
tramp, a few minutes wild excitement.
then-Dora and bliss!"
Catch your hare before you cook it.
Tom. It's far cry tonlght's affair 10
bliss and Dora"
"Oh, shut up! rn off,"
$50 am IT,
The two men moved away. and III
sank back in my chair and gasped.
What could 1t mean? Did these cold
blooded rufIians really contemplate
breaking into a mans house and steal
ing his daughter under his very nose?
1t was incredible. impossible: it WAS
/ reused Hargreaves with vigorous
shake. Wake up!" I shouted. wake
up! Thieves! Burglars! Kidnapers!
Miss seaton of Seaton hall"
What the deuce are you talking
about?" cried Hargreaves. starting up.
Are you mad?"
I pulled myself together with an eff
fort. and rapidly ran over what J had
heard.
Hargreaves listened-and scoffec. 1t
was the greatest rubbish he had ever
heard. Garry off a girl in that des-
perado fashion in these days! Absurd!
eco to sleep again, my dear fellow. and
dream some sense!"
This was Irritating. II there had
been time I should have been annoyed
with Hargreaves. but there was not
assumed a lofty Indifference.
Believe 1t or not, as you like"
said. "it's true enough. ! shall be at
seaton hall at midnight to stop this
desperate deed, and II lose my life in
the interest of my fellow creatures my
blood be on your head"
This rhetorical display impressed
Harsreaves. Seeing which. followed
It up with hint Of ignoring the Lyn-
caster police, and capturing the bur-
glars off our own bat.
Hargreaves was fetched"
"A couple of hours later two Williams,
armed with blackthorn cudgels. strobe
along the road from Lancaster to Sea-
ton-myself and Hargreaves on the
warpath.
We were horribly nervous--at least,
was. A four-mile walk in mud and
n thick mist had cooled my enthusiasm.
and nervous tremors trickled down my
spine as I thought OF attacking those
rufians alone and unaided.
Visions foated before me in frightful
procession. / saw myself and Har-
greaves a pair Of mangled corpses well
terlng in our gore. Horrible! Wiping
the cold perspiration from my fore
head stole a glance at Hargreaves.
He was stalking along in silent
gloom, his hands thrust into his pock-
cts, his cap tugged down over his eyes.
"Hargreayes," I began. He started
as though he had been shot. This was
encouraging.
"H-Hargreaves." rsid. trying to
get the nervous CULVER out Of my voice
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