Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1904-11-18

opened her lips to scream. but they
We're dry. Her quick, logical mind and
vivid imagination jumped to the utter
most conclusion. This, then. was
burgar-nay, no doubt the very bur-
glar man who had reduced the heroine
of Mary Doolin's story to the SEM
blance of fish worm. Here was the
innocent aspect. the polite subservi-
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-
tion."
He smiled and actually stepped upon
the porch. Pettikins sprang to her
feet. (Which way" he said-"this?"
"Yes," breathed Pettikins, with a
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 Pettiklns. seiz-
ing Mary's skirt, "I've got burglar
man! Yes, l 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 itv'
"Is it off yer head ye are, PettikinsT"
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 he's maxim a awful
noisev
Mother av Moses"' exclaimed Mary
Doolin seizing the key. IF It's the
truth ye're tellin' me, what'll become
ay the pair av us, wild niver man to
hand 'cept one an him thafe an a
robber? Come along, Pettikins, till l
listen to him. Sure, I'd rather be out
av the house than in it this mint be-
fore he grapes out the pantry chin
bly,! It's the brave child ye 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 were 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-
1oyment 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 A
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
thlnkin' to take her in! Not she, in
dade! Seem I'd tould her about pore
Mis- 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
Pettikins softly, with her eyes on
Mary's face.
Marabel and Miss Reed looked al
each other In bewilderment, and Uncle