The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-05-19
THE BURGLAR.
From this June Smart 6st

rIOIu viz SuAo osVSEs we
II am awake" said the lady.
The burglar wheeled around and
confronted the gaze of the unfright-
ened eyes. Then his hand went to
his hip pocket.
''Are you a coward as well as a
thief" she asked scornfully. He
dropped his hand to his side. and
stood undecided.
PUT them back" She pointed
an imperious finger at the dressing
table.
Out of a spacious pocket the bur
glar drew rope Of pearls, and
threw it nown amid the confusion
of brushes and combs and powder
puffs and laces and ribbons.
AS he did SO he caught sight Of
card on top of the jewel case. ITO
my bride to be- was written on it,
above the name of well-known
man of millions-an old man.
rs that alll' asked the lady. She
sat on couch. Herpale blue gown
fell about her in straight folds, the
red-gold braids of her hair touched
the floor. A photograph slid from
her lap and lay face upward on the
rug-a photograph worn with much
handling.
The burglar. reached inside his
coat and fished out a strip of blue
ribbon on which glittered five dia-
mOnd butterflies.
The lady drew long breath.
'Oh those" she said, and snatched
them from him, eagerly.
is there nothing else9" she again
demanded.
''That's ALL" said the burglar.
The lady went over to the dress-
ing-table, and looked through the
contents of the white velvet case.
That's ALL" repeated the burglar.
But tte lady continued her search.
Presently she turned around and
faced him. where is the ring2"
she questioned, sharply.
The burglar was embarrassed.
''Oh that" he said, that little
cheap thing?"
Its worth more 10 me than all
the rest" she cried, and the pearls
dropped at her feet unheeded, as
she crossed the room and came to
where he stood on the hearth rug.
Give it to men'
He opened his hand and it lay in
the palma little thin gold ring,
set with half dozen cheap blue
stones.
She took it from him and slipped
it on her finger, where it fitted
tightly.
Then she sank into deep chair,
and motioned him to another. He
seated himself on the extreme edge
and looked at her uncomfortably.
"Why did you keep that ring when
there were others more valuable.
III wanted to give it away" he
bIurted out. | didn't think you would
hunt il. it was so cheap.
"ro a girl?" she asked; softly.
lie nodded, and then they both
looked into the fire.
"You love her?said the lady at last
His face bazed. Yes, he answered,
slouLly.'
"Docs she know you area thief?"
Her clear eyes were searching.
He moved restlessly, and his face
hardened.
YES he said again.
"And yet she loves you?'
Another nod, as a frown settled
over his visage.
Into her eyes there came look of
contempt.
"She must be Il strange woman she
said coldly.
"To love Il theft" There was dan
ger in the controlled voice and danger
in his somber eyes. Aud yet men
have loved you"
Her eyes looked straight into his
surprised, wrathful. .
What do you mean3' shedemand
ed.
He laughed, recklessly.
What do you give for those'"
His arm swept out toward the jew
eled table. when I steal your
pearls and diamonds l getsomething
for nothing. When you take them
from that old man, what do you
give him in returnf'
How dare you How dare you2
she cried. She sprang to her feet
and placed the room.
Her foot touched the photograph,
she picked it up.
II can't be poor!' She spoke to
burglar, but her eyes appealed to
the face in the picture-the face Of a
young man.
Neither can l." said the burglar;
1--WE arr two Of a kind"
The lady drew herself up with
dign ity.
"You forget yourself"
The burglar ! laughed, insoleutly.
III forget nothing"
But | would rather die than he
poor" Again she appealed to the
picture.
Then sM tossed 1t on the couch
and went swiftly to the DRESSING
table. She threw the rope of pearls
over her head and the llong strands
fell down over her blue gown. Then
she pinned the butterflies in her hair
coronet fashion. and turned to the
burglar.
"see" she cried, "they make me
a quecn!'
The burglars breath was quick.
aned at her wonderful fairooss,