Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
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,x.u - 80
Miss MayheW's
Burglar
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Obeying a sharp, premonitory CLICK
from the direction Of the curtained al
cove where but a moment before all
had been quiet save for the steady,
sonorous breathing Of human being
behind the heavy drapery, Mr.. BIZ
Garlin dropped his black bag of booty
to the floor and held his hands high
above his head. Experience had taught
Mr. Garlin a number of things, ana
ono was that the etiquette or the
drop" is not always recognized by
Deaceable householder awakened In the
dead hour of the night by a proving
burglar Therefore 1t was discretion
rather than cowardice that prompted
him, in the present instance, to assume
the formal position of surrender with
out waiting for the verbal command.
A glance toward the alcove convinced
Mr. Garlin that he had indeed acted
wisely. The shining weapon peeplng
from the parted curtains was held with
,disconcerting steadiness, and above and
beyond were two unwavering points of
optic light which contained a deadly
purpose not to lose the advantage held.
The marauder reassuringly spread his
fingers widely apart, realizing that the
very appearance of evil was here
menace to his physical Wilderness, and
stood before his captor in the obscure
light more like the shadow of an elon-
,gaeed statue than Bill Garlin, alias
'Crackey," alias "Blll the Brick"
"A pretty fellow! !" came in rasp-
ing voice from the curtains-"a pretty
fellow to rob a lone woman and what
I'm going to do with you, that's the
question"
"A Teddy, by hockey" was Mr.. Gar
Inns inward comment Begin your
poidon. Teddy, I've bloindered inty the
wrong room,' he continued aloud.
'.Hopin' you'll excuse me, I'll just take
myself off,
You villain, don't you dare to
move :" said the voice. DO you think
that kind of subterfuge would de-
celve anyone? AS if you didn't know
that | have the entire proceeds of last
nirht's lecture here in my travelling
bag! Oh, this isn't the first attempt
that's been made to rob me in my tray
els but no brute of man ever en-
tered nv room before. Mighty lucky
90 armed and know how to protect
myself. Now, I'm going go keep you
covered with this revolver while you
empty your pockets of everything in
tEem. Then you'll step into that ward
robe there and be locked in while l call
the people of the house"
Your poidon again, loidy," said Mr..
Garlin In a peculiar tone; ARE you
Miss Gertrude Mayhem that lectured
IN the town hall here last night?"
"yes." came the brisk answer Now
YOU lay your coat on that chair-and
hurry"
.rrhen you'll remember me, Miss
Nayhew," pursued the burglar, losing
no time In complying with the sharp
command; you'll remember little Will
re Garlin, surely-why, you Joined me
70 read. you did, in Sceneryville. Ohio,
wears and years ago"
queer sound came from che lips
Of Miss Gertrude Mayhem, temperance
advocate and ex-schoolma'am, and the
revolver in her hand described nerv-
Gus seni-circle that brought to Mr.. Gar
lin a poignant fear of its accidental
discharge Then the curtains were sep
arated to permit the protruSion of a
head and hand; in the latter held
small night lamp, and the burglar saw
dimly the face of his boyhood's in
structor-a face he would even vet
have recognized anywhere. though the
rlrlish features he remembered were
Swallowed by the hard lines Of a self
dpnendent woman Of the world. whose
fifty years were marked by straight
iron gray hair, which in youth had
been Of inby blackness.
a Garlin-and burglar !" he heard
her -nurmur as II TO herself. She re-
placed the lamp behind the curtains,
not forgetting her control OF the
weapon. I'D know a Garlin any
where" she continued raptly. The
harsh tone came back to her voice sud
denly, and she went on: Yes. you are
VIII Garlin. but you are dangerous
criminal. Now, l want you to take
from each hip pocket revolver, muz-
zle down-and mind, one little move
the wrong way and I'll shoot"
Honest. there's only one" be pro
tested, and the weapon was laid on the
floor.
Disarmed, he made a step toward her
with a plea for mercy on his lips.
This means good long trip for me,
Miss Mayhem, for there are two or
three other things will come up against
me when I'm taken. l want you to
think minute before you do what
can't be undid. I'm not as bad as many
of 'en. / never robbed woman and
l always picks on the high-toned ones"
"Oh, / think you're bad enough. VIII
Garlin-bad enough to be put behind
the bars for term, and 1 doubt not