The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-28
A BURGLAR.
BY HARRIET LAMMIE SMITH.

Scott sat on the step Of the guildhaU
and famed himself with his hat Through
the open door came the sound of feminine
voices, animated and eager. The young
mans eyes scanned the landscape with
something Of usefulness in their depths
He had noticed one or two pretty girls
IN the throng of older women who were
engineering the church supper. but APP
parently they were al too busy for con-
versati0nal advances. He reflected with q
sense Of injury that his visit was opening
tamely.
Chester II was his aunts brisk voice
and Scott rose with alacrity. Energetic
Aunt Anne liked TO see people busy. In
her summons he read a promise of occu-
patton, and welcomed it. regardless Of its
nature. Nor was he destined 70 be dis
appointed.
This is my nephew. Mr. Scott" said
Aunt Anne, addressing group of ladies'
who acknowledged the introduction by 81
collective smile. And he'll be delighted
to do any little errands for US" she added
generously. Now. Mrs. Anderson, tell
him about your spoons.
Mrs. Anderson beamed gratefully on
the young man. I'm sure it's awfully
kind of you, Mr.. Scott. You see. we're
short of spoons. and want 10 send you
for mine. Do you know Fayette street?
Yes; il crosses Main at right angles. and
my house is a yellow cottage on the right
with woodbine over the porch. YouH
find the key under the mat. Go straight
through the hall into the diniug-room.
and the spoons are in the left-hand
drawer OF the sideboard. It's just lovely
OF you to help us out, Mr. Scott"
The other ladies' mUrmured assent. and
one or two OF the younger flashed appre-
ciative glances in his direction. Scots
spirits rose. He promised a speedy re-
turn, and started on his crrand, rejecting
as he went on the refreshing confidence
of d community which left its keys under
the door mats and permitted strangers 20
have access to its homes.
He had no difficulty in finding the vel
low cottage, and the key was in its place
he made his way through the silent hall
into the dining-rOOm, and here he en-
countered his first check. The spoons
Z Z.
In fact, they We're not I'm the sideboard
at all, though he ransacked # thoroughly
10 make sure. Opening the closet door.
ne was rewarded by the sight of a we'll
stocked silver chest, and ne possessed
himself OF the spoons, promising himself
laugh at the expense Of the owner OF
the silver, whose memory was so unre-
liable
Hold up your hands"
The request came in tones whose de-
termination could not be mistaken. and
Scott spun on his heel 10 find himself
facing a revolver. Back of the revolver
was girl She was a rather tall girl.
with very white cheeks and absurdIy
long lashes She wore Il garden hat. be-
meath which little tendrll-Ike curIs fes-
TONED themselves about her forehead.
Under other circumstances Scott would
have voted her charming.
Hold up your handsr' said the girl
again, and Scott obeyed, rejecting that
1t was better to humor her first and ex-
plain afterward. The spoons in his pocket
seemed to weigh ton. He felt hot and
ridiculous
Your mother asked me-" he began
The girl interrupted him. It have no
mother. Your excuses will only make a
bad matter worse"
Scott bit his lip. Absurd as the situa-
ton was, it had a serious side He
spoke with. as much dignity as was con-
sistent with standing before a beautiful
girl with his hands on a level with his
ears, I was requested to come here by
the lady of the house." he insisted.
"Oh, indeed. Then perhaps you will tell
me her name"
Scott racNed his brain. In the distrac-
ton Of that general introduction, Mrs.
Anderson's name had failed to imprint
itself on his memory
L don't know her name he acknowI-
edged, but she is dark-haired woman
about forty-five / should say. with a good
deal Of color" He would have gone fur
Their with his description. but the young
woman checked him by a gesture not te
be misunderstood.
L prefer TO know no more Of your pre-
pOsterOus fiction" she said witheringly
| Evidently you are not as shrewd as YOU
think yourself. 1t happens that / am the
lady Of this house and / am going to keep
you right here until my uncle comes"
Scott cursed his folly. Doubtless there
We're yellow cottages on every block. and
all the neighborhood kept its keys under
the door mat. He tried to say something
about mistake, but she would not listen
Keeping her eye upon him, she seated her
self deliberately. Please do not move, 3"
she said, "or l shall be compelled to
shoot and that would be very disagree
able for me, and considerably worse for
you"
In the position he was compelled to
assume. Scott had an excellent opportun-
ity for studying his captor. She was GER
tainly remarkably pretty girl. The stern
determination of her eyes could not hide
their depth and lusteT. The pallor OF her
cheeks failed to disguise their exquisite
curves. The hand that held the revolver
was very shapely one 1t panied him 10
notice that the girl was gradually growing
nervous. Her hand trembled. Her bosom
rose and fell as If s0bs were struggling
to escape. once or twice her eyes seemed
almost to waver before his own stop
looking at me like that" she suddenly
commanded.
Il beg your pardon" said Scott humhly
rI~sr 4 Trss. 81.