The Topeka state journal., 1900-09-22
A LOGICAL THIEF.
TFrom Black and White.J ]


had come up toI4ondon from Bourne
mouth, and one thing and another had
detained me in town; so determined to
return to my little suburban retreat at
Alperton for the night and travel back
to the seaside on the morrow 1t was
nearly o'clock when arrived opposite
my little home Ihad to pass it on my way
to the general shop, where had left the
door key for safe keeping. looked up
at my bedroom window, when to my
horror and surprise I saw the curtains
move, then long, thin hand, a mans
hand, latched the window and diSap-
peared. For a moment felt frightened;
the evening was fast fading into dark
ness My cottage ought to have been
as had left it two weeks ago, empty,
and yet. unless my eyesight had played
me some fanciful trick, there was hand,
and if hand, as natural sequence, a
man. do not know what made me do
it, if it was the outcome of fOolhardiness
or courage. or extreme nervousness. or a
mixture of all three, but marched to
the front door and gave a rat-tat-tat
that would have reused the seven sleep
ers-
If it's thief he will bolt, I thought,
and if-the door opened and a young
man in his shirt sleeves stood before me.
.Well?" said he, interrogatively.
isWell," said /, feebly.
do you want anybody"
Yes" I answered. rs Miss Christine
Smythe at homer
oh, yes; she expected you. Step in,'
and mechanically stepped in
Take seat in the parlor," said he,
affably, and here must apologize to any
of my friends who read this. T. Christine
Smythe, a woman noted for her strength
of mind and immunity from feminine
weaknesses, /, who had always der'fded
hysterical and fainting women, well--I
tainted.
When regained consciousness he was
standing beside me with some brandy in
one of my best wineglasses.
Drink little, it will do you good,
Miss Smythe''
You know my manner"
yes. Now drink 1 did so.
I Will draw the curtains and light the
lamp, only don't you move or speak" He
said the last three words in such a pc
culiar manner that I imagined it better
to obey him, but thought would give
tremendous scream if I could see any
body passing, and I looked out of the
window.
He had lit the lamp. and, having drawn
the curtains, turned to me.
L shouldn't do that" he said
do what?" asked.
Scream for help if you saw anybody
pass the window. 1 should have to'' -
and he stopped and smiled pleasantly at
Have to what?"
Even see a woman gagged, Miss
No" I answered. I felt quite a creepv
sensation all over me.
GU viii excuse my shirt sleeves but
TOOK OH my coat when was working
about the house this afternoon He sat
down on the easy chair opposite me-
He wasn't at all a bad looking young
man; IN fact, perhaps he was rather
handsome; and then his eyes were so in
Senuous, his manner so candid.
suppose you are wondering who I
am?' he said pleasantly.
looked round the room, and nv ac-
cusIomed eye missed my silver candle
stateuettes; even the Persian hearthrlIn
was rolled up and stood waiting in a cor
We'll" I said, sI should think Won
were a" stopped. I was alone in a
country cottage with a desperate Grim
mai, and candor seemed strangely out
of place
Go on he remarked. pers11a sive1v
Remember that you are my guest. and
tnat you will be treated with all the
de1erence and chivalry which your
charming sex commands; that is, of
course, as long as you don't scream y
1 did not like to say burglar: besides.
he was so unlike one; and as for call
ing him a thief, couldn't, and so I
compromised matters and said, Il sup
pose you-are-a-
Now, that is where you are wrong
entirely wrong; and really L am sur
pr1sed that a young lady who is not
the usual brainlesS female-you VIII
pardon the reflection on your sex-but
who has written SO clearly and explicitly
on the question OF capital and labor and
on the division of wealth. should call
word is misplaced
1 really felt quite ashamed ''It is not
often, he continued, that in the pur-
suit of my profession I have the on
portunity of a tete-a-tete with a charm
ing authoress whose books have given
me such great pleasure, and if YOU
would allow me to make use of the op-
should be obliged. Understand me,
madam, do not insist The few things
that have thought worthy of collec-
f1frr1
least morally. Shall we exchange
ideaS?"
Involuntarily my eye fell upon a little
sack in the corner of the room, peepine |
out of the mouth of which I could dis |
Germ the only piece of silver possessed. |
1 sighed.
why sigh?'' he urged. surely a |
lady endowed with SO much philosophy |
exchanges of everyday life; or can it be |
that your books are only a sham? |
Why, only lately a charming little |
treats of yours fell into nv hands 61lr- /
ing professional visit which l paid |
one evening to the house of a well l
known money lender. 1t was entitled |
The inequality of Wealth., a charming |
pamphlet, most logical and so true" /
His expressive eyes dwelt upon me with |
an admiring glance.
began to feel indignant
Surely" I remarked, with asperity, |
-nav1ng robbed me of my valuab bleS YOU /
can now spare me your brutal wit"
20. madam, you pain me- But, with |
your permission will resume my coat"
made no response, but stared at him |
in my iciest manner.
'Then, madam" and he put on his
coat, without your permission. But |
there" he continued, It am forgetting
my duties as a host. While inspecting
the lower regions I discovered six half
pint bottles of champagne. Three have
gone-the other three are here
He placed two glasses on the table,
a frfaT71 dob
and continued: Unfortunately the
nippers are downstairs. To procure
them 1 should have to leave you. 1 |
could not be so rude-ergo we must have