The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-12-03
THE CROOK TRAP.
By EDGAR FRANKLIN


ciety met at Hawkins home the very
day they moved In ofhcially: and II
had been hanging over me. more OF
less. that the next assembly Of that
body was TO be held at my own resi-
dence.
Not that ! am In any way unsym-
pathetic as TO church work and be-
nighted savages and such matters: but
when half a dozen women get together
and discuss few heather and great
many hats and similar things. the
solitary man In the house is apt TO
feel
Al any rate. when saw Mrs. Haw-
kins enter my door that evening. the
first Of the Executive Committee to
arrive, ! experienced sinking SEN
sation for the moment. Then Sc
cured my hat. mumbled a few excuses.
and disappeared. 70 see how Hawkins
was spending the evening.
The inventor himself answered my
ring.
"Ah, Griggs." he remarked Com
mitiee talk you out Of the housei"
Something Of the sort" admit
ted.
Glad you came in. There's some.
thing | want to-but hang up your
hat"
Hawkins" said, closing the door.
why do you pay a large overfed Eng
lish gentleman TO stand around the
premises II it's necessary for you to
answer the bellz I'm not much on
style. you know. but"
William? Oh. it's his night out
laughed Hawkins. Il believe the cook
and the girls have gone. too. for that
matter"
Then we're altogether alone7"
Yes" said the inventor. comfort !
ably. pushing forward one OF the big
library chairs for my accommodation.
"all alone in the house."
And igs a mighty nice house."
mused gazing into the next apart
ment. the dining-room. That's a
splendid room. Hawkins"
Isn't III" smiled Hawkins. drawing
back the heavy curtains rather proud
". Most OF the little wrinkles are
my own IDEAS. too"
That sIdeboard7" I asked. indleat-
Ing fraIl-looking but artistic BIT Of
furniture built into the wall.
THAT, too--combination OF side.
board and sllver-safe."
"Safel" laughed. "You don't keep
he silver IN there1"
why notg"
My dear man. anyone could pry
hat door on with a penknife."
Admitted. But supposlng your
anyone to be a burglar. he'd have to
'et to the door before ne could pry
OF. would he not. Grlggs7"
Burglars do not. as a rule, hnd
ireat dificulty in entering the average
ouse, suggested.
~A.ai That's Just 1.-THE average 1
ouse," cried the inventor. "rhis {
sn't the average house. Grlggs. The I
urelar who tries to get into this par
Icrlar house is distinctly up .
gainst III" 8
sllndeed?"
''Yes. sir. The crook that attempts I
nocturnal entrance here has my sin. .
ere and heartfelt sympathy" q
Hawkins Patent Automatic Bur /
lar Alarmf" I suggested.
What the deuce are you sneerlng %
y" snapped the inventor. ~No.
lere's no patent burglar alarm in this :,
ouse." :.
Hawkins Steel Dynamite Proof a
hutterr
Hawkins ignored the remark and :
lsied himself lighting a cigar. !
Hawkins Triple Expansion Spring !,
uns" hazarded once more. :, 4
"Oh. drop IT. Drop III" cried
awkins. Positively, Griggs. your :,
iorts at humor disgust one. In some :
ays. You are as bad as woman. = :
back and sit with the Executive :,
q =
What's the connection"
why, the thing expected to show :,
n In few minutes is the very
ainst Tor Two weeks before she let b,
: put II into operation peacefullyt"
'"kins burst out ihere's where n,
connection comes N between your a.