The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-12-04

e want to ask you q lot of questions.
In the first place. are you the genuine
John Bull?'
p The burglar regarded her Sinquir-
ingly. We'll, yes" he said slowly, 81
think can aspire to that dist 9
2 Sne could not resist clapping her
hands. Il knew It! knew it!'' she
declared TRUMP antly. You see. I
read all about you in the Post this
very evening, and now to actually see
you" She drew long breath and
eyed hin critically. * 81 ..=: T. :.
A queer expression crossed the bur-
glars face. Was it embarrassment or
amusement? -. ..s.=,.--. -. 4.
Really" he murmured, "it's awful
ly good of you, I'm sure"
Sine contemplated Dim with gravity.
'You see," she said, earnestly, Il can't
help being sorry for you when I think
OF the dangerous life you are leading,
the awful risk you rim. To think (she
clasped her hands excitedly) that at
any moment you may be captured.
Haven't you found out that you are q
tremendous catch?"
The burglar raised his eyebrows 4
trifle. II confess" he began lightly,
that thought has never occurred to
me before
How careless and incredulous his
tone was! Her heart beat fast and
thick. Could 1t be possible he did not
realize that he was hunted man, a
price on his head? The girl rose to
ner full height
Don't sou know" she ollrted out,
that the whole country is on your
track. your name is in all the papers
and full description OF you has been
cabled all over the United States?"
But the man only stared at her
blankly moment and then burst out
laughing.
"Now you are chaning me-" he de-
clared. you're not in earnest. can't
believe that you Americans would
make such fuss over a mere title."
His 'title?" Did he mean his So
briquet, his alias?
"Ah; WE'LL" she said, REFRESHING an
inclination to laugh, you're a noto-
riOus character. you know"
Il am afraid you were hard up,"
she continued, -hesitatingly. Il know
nothing but pressing need of money
would have brought you here tonight,
and I want you to let me help you out
Yes" she continued emphatically, warm
ing to her scheme, ''I'm going to make
you fair and square proposal. I'll give
you the things, instead of your er-tak-
ingthem! These rings, for instance" (she
was stripping her bejeweled f1ngers)
and this bracelet ought to be worth
something in ready money" She held
them out to him with an inviting
smile, but the burglar recoiled, his face
working strangely.
Are you mad?" he said in quick,
staccato tones,'' or is this one OF your
American jokes?"
"Of course, it isn't" the girl pro-
tested, Indignantly. I'm in dead ear
nest, and this isn't all, nearly all that
I want to give you. We've some old
family silver, hideous but valuable,
and lots Of other things that I'm going
to get this very minute"
She was mos rig rapidly towards thu.
door, as she spoke, but the burglar
made no attempt to follow her this
time, he only stood rooted to the car
pet, his face expressing utter bewilde,-
ment.
Suddenly his heel crushed some
thing that rustled crisply. He stopped
down with an exclamation. It was
only a newspaper in crumpled heap
by the arm chair, and he was aboat to
replace it careless.y on the table when
a certain paragraph caught and rivcted
Ills eye.
One instant he stood staring at it in
silent amazement. the next a peal of
deep bass laughter rang through the
room. Surely the burglar seemed like
one possessed. He Rugged himself
mirthfully, chuckling like a schoolboy,
and staggering about in spasms of I'M
contro---ble laughter. These lasted
only for few moments, however, for
light footstep in the hall recalled
his self-possession.
The girl came towards him breath.
lessly, her arms laden with a varied
collection Of silverware which she pro-
ceeded to place on the table one by
one.
"1'll just stow this ere in my valise
right hoff if you'll allow me-" He
fetched it from the hall forthwith and
proceeded to pack away each article
with great care. The girl watched him
with wondering eyes. A change sud-
den and unmistakable had come over
him in the last few minutes. She sup
posed it was the sight of the silver
that had turned the gentleman into
the burglar, and cockney at that,
for now that he was off his guard a
lack of ''h" was painfully evident.
She turned on him impulsively.
''Tell me, have you never done any
honest work in your life?"
mo num- he confessed, 1--WE never
done a st1oke~ of honest work in my
life"