The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-12-01

opened her lips to scream. but they
were dry. Her quick, logical mind and
vivid Imagination jumped to the utter
most conclusion. This, then, was a
burglar-nay, no doubt the very bur
glar man who had reduced the heroine
of Mary Doolin's story to the SEM
blance of a fish worm. Here was the
innocent aspect, the polite subserv-
ence, actually the black bag contain
ing the tools of his nefarious craft.
And Mary Doolin, singing in the
kitchen, was hundred miles away.
81 fancy that your sister has driven
to the station said the burglar and
waited but Pettikins did not speak.
And suppose you ask me in he con
tinued. or, as | am tired and warm. |
shall have to go in without an invita-
ton
He smiled and actually stepped upon
the porch. Pettikins sprang to her
feet. Which way" he said-"ths?"
Yes" breathed Pettikins, with
swift illumination of thought as the
burglar stepped within the darkness of
the summer pantry. In a second she
had slammed and locked the door upon
him, drawing from its lock the great
key which stayed outside. And then
her feet flew to the kitchen.
MARY Doolin," cried Pettikins, seiz-
ing Mary's skirt, I've got burglar
man. Yes, | have, Mary. He's the one
that burgled Mis- McCree of her red
cent. for he's got his black bag along
and his knives and things in itr'
rs 1t off yer head We are, Pettikins?"
cried Mary Doolin
But Pettikins' eyes were great and
impressive. Mary Doolin. I've locked
him in the pantry before he could bur
gle us like he did Mis- McCree, and
here's the key, and hesmakin' a awful
noise"
Mother av Moses exclaimed Mary
Dooln. Selling the key. IF it's the
truth ye're tellin' me. what'll become
av the pair av us, wild niver a man to
hand 'cept one, an him thafe an u
rohber? Come along, Pettikins, till
listen to him. Sure. Id rather be out
av the house than in 1t this mint be
fore he grapes out the pantry chin
bly,. It's the brave child We are, Petit
kins, to artist a thafe, but the saints
come down an help us If he gets out
av there
Mary Doolin cautiously approached
the summer pantry armed with
shovel. Strange sounds We're issuing
therefrom. Calls, eXpostulations and
raps followed in quick succession,
while Mary crouched upon the grass
muttering to the saints and Pettikins
stood by, thrilled with the solemn en-
,oyment of such excitement
When the yellow cart rolled in the
gate, with Marabel driving and Miss
Reed chatting to Uncle George. their
CONSERVATION may be imagined.
volley of explanations met them. ac-
centuated by the shovel, which Mary
Doolin waved alternately from Petit
kins to the pantry. Pettikins mean
while stood by drinking in the elabo
rated details with grave delight
"An the dirty thafe, wild his pistols
In his bag, ready to burgle us out av
the house, a-bowin an scrapin' an
shinkin' to take her in! Not she, in
lade Seem I'd tould her about pore
His McCree, she says, Walk in, SIR
swate as honey, says she, an in he
walks to Miss MarrybePs pantry, an
she up an shlams the door on him,
an there he is now a-burglin' Miss
Marrybel's preserves the owdacious
thafe"
"And my head wasn't like fish
worms, was it, Mary Doolin?" said
Pettikns softly, with her eyes on
Mary's face.
Marabel and Miss Reed looked at
each other in bewilderment, and Uncle