The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-10-05
Mollie's Burglar.

into a den of thieves; but as yet, she hat
met with no adventure worthy of note
and was fast reaching the conclusion
that city people were no worse thar
their country neighbors, when something
occurred which caused her, tor a shor
time at least, to change her mind. Blu
Of this, more anon.
She was still heart-whole, although
she had been sought by several very eli
gible suitors since her arrival in the city
for she was pretty girl, very desirable
for her own sweet sake, but still more
still more so as Mary Wilson, sister o.
the wealthy and influential Lawyer vii
when one Sabbath she CHANGED to see e
stranger in the pew adjoining her bro
theirs, and could not help seeing that the
stranger was regarding her with admir-
ing eyes, and they were beautiful brown
eyes, too, but she tried to dismiss al
thought of him and them, as she haC
done of others on similar occasions, but
found it impossible. Those dark eyes
presented themselves to her mental visior
with a persistency with which she coulG
not account.
On Monday evening her brother
brought tickets and invited his wife anc
sister to attend lecture, and Miss Mol
lie caught herself wondering, as she don
ned her cloak and hat, if the dark. eyec
gentleman would be there, and if hi
would look for her. She found the lee
ture insufferably dull, and concluded
after a time, to return home. She whis
pered this intention to her brother, who
saw her to his carriage, and giving in
structions to the coachman to return fol
them, he went back to his wife, while
Miss Mollie was driven rapidly home
ward. Arriving there, she left her hal
and cloak in the hall and ran lightly VI
the stairs to her room. The door wa:
partly open, although she was sure she
had closed it. The gas was turned low
as she had left it, and in the half light she
saw, before she reached the doorway, {
man in the room. His back was toward
her, and he was walking toward a closet
at the other side Of the apartment. He
opened the door and stepped inside; one
glance told her that the key was in the
lock; sheran swiftly across the room. hel
feet making little or no sound on the
thick carpet "Confound it," she hearG
him mutter, why can't they leave things
where fellow can find them? ?" Yes,
she thought, cher first surmise was cor
rect; it was a burglar" Like a flash she
threw herself against the door and turned
the key. She was terribly frightened
and felt sure that she should faint, but as
her prisoner made no demonstrations be-
yond trying the door gently, this feeling
soon wore off She turned on the gas
drew a chair in front of the closet door
where she sat down to consider what
was best to do If she called the serv
ants they would be frightened; there
would be noise and confusion, and per
haps he would get away. If she went
down after a policeman, he might gel
out while she was gone. No, she would
stay where she was and keep guard unit
her brother should return. She had sure
ly caught him, and did it very neatly
too; and the more she thought of it the
drawer and more jubilant she grew. She
wished he would speak; she was anxiou:
to know how he felt about the situation
Presently he did speak; he had a very
pleasant voice; he tried the door agar
and asked:
"Who locked that door,"
And she answered promptly, Il did,"
what for ~
"Why. to lock you in there, of course
and l don't intend that you shall ge
away, either"
There was silence for a minute or two
then the prisoner remarked: Don't yol
think this joke has gone about fa
enough, Mollie. dear? Now let me out
There's darling"
"Oh! you wretch, you villain! How
dare you?
"How dare what ?"
why call me that"
Thought it was my sister. BY Jove =
he exclaimed in a lower tone. Then h
bent down and looked through the key
hole. This is what he saw: graceful
girlish figure, robed in some soft, cling
ing material; bright, selfreliant face
framed by masses of fluffy brown hair
| 1t took him sometime to make these oh
servations, for the key-hole was so small
that he could see but part of the prett,
| picture at once. Then he remarked, "
think, miss, that there is some mistake.
Oh! yes suppose So" sarcastically
81 think came into the wrong house.
II think you did"
Isn't this No. 4 ?"
mo, indeed, it is No q"
"Well, stop at No. 4; came there Sat
urdaV to visit my sister, Mollie Brown
The houses must be just alike. Invent t
the lecture and found it dull, so cam
home, or thought did"
"Humph! likely story"
Il hope you may find it acceptable,
remarked the young man, who occasion
ally dabbled in literature. Then tn
comical side of the affair forced itse
upon him, and he laughed, actual
laughed; she heard him.
You seem to enjoy the situation" ST
said somewhat spitefully, thinking
proof of his total depravity.
II do, immensely"
Il should think you would, with tt
gallows staring you in the face"
THE gallows ?"
l "Yes, am sure my brother will hay