The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-12-19
A Burglar
At Bay.
BY Frances Keller.
111TNNNN1@N.

by brilliant flood OF electric light.
So Unexpectedly il came and so
dazzlingly that l was struck all of a
heap. as ii were, and stood stupidity
caught in the very act, with one hand
lingering over my booty and the other
raised instinctiyely TO shield eyes and
face from the binding glare.
\ pretty position for a professional
burglar. Taken completely at disad-
vantage. like any greenhorn. Held
up, as you might say, AT the very
psychological moment and by n girl
the prettiest creature. l swear. that
ever donned lace and cambric for the
distraction Of mankind.
She sat up in bed, a symphony in
white, all be-laced and be-ribboned,
and confronted me. bending upon me
two eyes as blue as twin sapphires. in
which was neither alarm nor suppl
cation. but satisfaction only-satisfac-
tion complete and apparently long an
ticipated.
The loveliest hand in the world,
white as the lawn that fell back kind
1y to reveal II. and nodded like that of
the Medicean Venus, held, as II well
accustomed TO ii, silver mounted re-
volvec toy, yet Enthusiastically a
weapon; a trinket such as a dainty
woman might hang at her chatelaine.
but still sufficiently convincing to hold
me planted there deprived Of any in
cllnatlon to run the risk of testing its
mettle.
We'll" said my apprehender in
voice that betrayed no more emotion
than did her lovely face, which was
so intoned as TO set my susceptible
heart beating. 'at last I've got you!
Now. drop into that chair, If you
please. Now keep your hands in front
of you, il you don't mind Yes, so, and
let me talk to you. Good gracious,
But I'm in luck! To think OF my get
ting hold Of a burglar at lastr'
Her charming features beamed with
delight. She even smiled, revealing n
double row of the whitest. dearest lit
tie teeth it is possible to imagine. still
keeping the muZzle of the little pistol
leveled straight at me with hand
that never trembled. with the other
she reached down TO the foot of the
bed and drew up a delicate wOolen
wrap Of pale blue, which she flung
deftly about her shoulders, after which
she raised the pillows at her back so
that they should support her in an up
right position, and sank back upon
them with luxurious air of establish
ing herself i'm comfort. 1t was evident
from look, tone and gesture that the
situation was exceedingly agreeable to
her, and that she was bent upon en-.
joying it TO the utmost.
Now" she commanded. with n nod
In my direction. tell me about your
self. All my life I've longed to hear
something Of a burglars history from
his own lips. Pardon me, but would
you very much mind removing your
mask? 1t is only anticipating matters
n little. you know. The police will do
II. anyhow. when they come in"
The police" l exclaimed, inyolun.
tarlly.
She nodded.
Eyes; they're all over the place. you
know. Or perhaps you didn't know
that we were warned Of your coming?
One of their confidence men (stool
pigeons, | think they call them dis
covered your intentions and divulged
them"
"Confound IT," I calculated beneath.
my breath. THAT skunk of a Boyn-
tom
What did you trust him for?" she
said with a note Of reproof in her
voice
Heaven only knows" I replied I'm
fierce elf-condemnation. "But he'll
pay for 1t yet. Just let him wait till |
get my grip on him"
Ny fair captor interrupted with
mockng laugh.
Hell have 10 wait long time, |
expect" she remarked. "I shouldn't
wonder IL you got about five years for
this Shouldn't you consider that
would be about ity'
regarded her anxlously through
the holes in my mask.
$50 you mean TO give me mp. them"
I hazarded.
She returned my scrutiny with
look Of humorous surprise.
What had you supposed I meant 10
do with youT she asked Wear you
on my watch chain as n curiosity. or
I'LL your pockets with those trinkets.
which appear TO have caught your
fancy. and show you a safe and sure
way of making of with them:"
II don't know" said I. gloomlly, for
I really appeared 10 be In rather a bad
hole. Women sometimes have tender
hearts Beauty and youth have often
shown themselves generous end merci-
ful 10 the unfortunate" / broke Of
doubtfully.
The sleam Of humor In her eyes
deepcned.
Eyes" she remarked. ''the female
heart might well be moved 10 pity q
man in your embarrassing position.
Are you. perhaps. an orphanl And is
your present condition solely the re-
suit q the evil influence 90 which you
have been exposed since early YOUTH"
I shook my head. entering into her
mood. The girl was certainly a char
acter. and I lost sight Of my own dan
ger for the moment I'm enjoyment Of
her raillery.
"Ah. poor man. she exclaimed. "No
wonder you have been driven 10 irreg
ular courses with such incentives 70
crime. Now. would you mind renov.