Middletown transcript., 1903-04-11
mother, but you need not hurry
in the morning.

/ OfOulh6 Ch1 &C OilOAAO h6 ~ % ooOAO
into an unused COW shed COM,
manding view of the spot un-
der the oat bin. They had Ca
mera with them and. after care
fully getting it poised and every
thing ready for speedy picture
taking, all grew silent, except for
an occasional whisper. Three
whole hours they waited. The
village clock, in the distance,
tolled the hour of eleven, follow
ed by long-drawn sigh from
Annie and "Sh-r' from Nina.
Burt's eyes were peering out
into the darkness and all ears
were strained. Yes, someone
was around, but he carried no
light. They heard someone get
the ladder down and fix it in po-
sition. Straining their eyes,
they could dimly see hulking
form silhoutted against the starry
sky, as he made his way up the
ladder. 1t was an exciting mo-
ment, and presently they heard
the swish of the oats as they fell
into the receptacle. Then-won-
ders! what change! The man
who was catching the oats in a
bag was suddenly covered with
a binding flash of light; he was
heard scrambling from the lad
der, stumbling at every rung,
and taking himself away out of
the barnyard just as fast as ever
his trembling limbs would allow.
Glory! exclaimed Nina. That
was great! 1t was the man that
mother spoke of the other even
ing when father told her about
the oats disappearing. Wasn't
he badly frightened!
The light Of Burt's lantern,
that he had now lighted, revealed
a sack partly filed with oats and
oats were still rapidly pouring
through the knot hole. Burt
hurried up the ladder to plug up
the hole.
And now, said Nina, let's go
back to your house and develop
that plate. We will leave the
oats, bag, ETC., just as they are
for father to see. It's no won
der Major did not bark last night
for the man was as quiet in all
his movements as a mouse.
We will be on hand early to-
morrow morning with our mega
tive, said Annie.
Just before breakfast the next
morning three laughing young
people appeared at Mr.. Wilton's
and presented themselves before
the farmer.
Well, father, have you seen
your oats this morning? asked
Nina.
Oats! where? returned her
father.
Down under the shed, said
Nina.
I have not been down there,
he replied.
Please come, then, and you too,
mother. They piloted the puz-
zled couple to the scene of last
nights thieving. Many were
the exclamations of surprise as
they dramaticallytold their story
and showed the excellent mega
tive they had of the thief.
| Purity good! Purity good! That
is what call downright good
detective work, exclaimed Mr..
Wilton. Who does the twenty
dollars go to?
To Nina, answered Annie and
Burt together. She planned it
all herself; we simply helped her
to carry out her plans.
Here, said her father, as he
dived into his trousers pocket
and produced his wallet, from
which he took a crisp twenty
dollar greenback, is the reward
1 promised.
Thank you, returned Nina.
with an elaborate bow; but I
think I ought to divide with you
and Burt, she said, turning to
Annie.
We sha'n't take anything, if
you do think so, asserted Burt.
Then I shall buy a camera. with
it-that is, ii father is perfectly
willing.
1t is yours to do just as you
please with, said her father.
Nina executed few elaborate
waltz steps, Indicative of the
keenest delight, but paused to
give her father a grateful hug
and kiss.
Come, folks, interrupted Mrs.
Wilton, leading the way to the
dining-room. Breakfast is cool
ing. and I do not want my bis
cults spoiled by waiting,
| Say, Nina, remarked Burt, as
they fingered behind the others,
l always had some doubts about
L l.