The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-09-20

ms soon rs the echoing tread Of Police
man Watkins boots became audible
she called her companions.
That's him. she said, proudly.
"Thats my Robert. Isn't he hand.
some?"
Your Robcrtw echoed Susan. in
ama2ement "What are you talking
about? That's my Bobw
"Your Bob! How dare you! or all
the impertlnence! lie wouldn't look at
the likes Of you-not through the big
end of n telescope. Why, he's been
Keeping company with me ever since
he came to this beat, and we are going
to get married next spring. SO there"
81 don't believe word you say!
| That's my Bob! Do you think | can't
believe my own eyes? And we are GO
ing TO get married, and live in the
Bronx, just as soon ais he can furnish
a fiat"
The dispute waSed fierce, and It is
| hard TO say where ii would have ended
had not the ringing Of bell called
| Susan TO duties upstairs. When the
| girls next met, couple of hours later,
they were in a calmer frame of mind.
Mutual explanations followed, and the
dupllcity of the policeman was estab-
lished beyond all possibility of doubt.
"The wretchw exclaimed Mary Ann.
I'll pay him out for thisl III never
speak TO him again-neverw
Couldn't we punish him In some
other way" suggested Susan. "He de-.
serves something to show that we are
not to be trihed with. I'd like to stick
hot needles into himw
Let me see" said Mary Ann, re-
| flcctively. 81 shouldn't wonder IL he
| should drop in to see me after the
roundsman hn' r,ssed. We might get
even with him then"
For fully half an hour the two girls
remained in deep consultation, matur-
ing plans for the humiliation of the
tickle policeman. and when at length
the conference broke up it was with
smile that boded him no good.
about the region of his waist belt, COM
bined with the feeling of security en-
genderod by the fact that the rounds
mans visit was Il thing of the past,
turned Policeman Watkins thoughts
in the direction of the hospitable kitch-
en- at No. 1444 Madison avenue, and on
the first opportunity he directed his
steps toward that haven.
Pausing for moment at the head Of
the steps leading to the basement, he
glanced cautiously round. The coast
was clear, and with celerity begotten
of much practice, he darted down and
tapped stealthily at the door.
The door was opened by Mary Ann,
who surveyed him with a look of af-
fected surprise.
what in all the world do you want
here?" she exclaimed. "There are no
thieves here that l know Of"
Isn't there? Faith, there's the
charmingest little thief in the world not
two yards from me-a thief who has
stolen my heart away entirely, and it's
my duty, as a member OF the force,
to place her under arrest Immediately"
And the policeman made n playful at
tempt to put his arm round the girls
waist.
Skillfully eluding the attempted en-
brace, Mary Ann retreated TO the kitch-
en-, and the officer followed, pondering
on the vagaries of the sex.
whats the matter?" he exclaimed,
as an attempt to imprint salute on the
girls lips met with another repulse.
Nothing" replied Mary Ann, briefly.
"What should be the matter?"
"You seem to have your dander up
about something. It's very hard on a
fellow when he comes to see the CIR.
he loves, and especially when he is
cold, and ed-and-and-hung
At this point the officer cast a quick
glance of survey round the kitchen.
ITS very hard to be treated as if, for
all she cared, he might be at the North
Fole! Why do you treat me so, Mary
Ann? l love you well enough-to-to
eat you"
"Ah, if I could only believe you"
said the girl, doubtfully. You men
are such deceivers. For all l know.
you may go straight away from here
and say the same thing to some other
girl"
'Neverr exclaimed the amorous po-
liceman, stoutly.
Mary Ann shook her head, and ut
tered dubious little sigh.
Il was at clair-clair-what do you
call it?-clairvoyant's, two days ago.
and he told me such awful things. He
looked in a crystal, and then said
must beware, for my lover was false.
He said rival had crossed my path
a fair lady, with blue eyesw
II wonder you would be so foolish
ms to go to such Places" said the Of
ficer, with an uneasy laugh. Surely
you don't believe such rubbish?
Th'se people ought to be in jail. They
ara swiudlers."