Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-04-25
CAPTUR NG A BURGLAR.

|
Through the open door came the sound
OF feminine voices animated and eager
The young mans eyes scanned the
landscape with something of wistful'
ness in their depths. He had noticed
one OF two pretty girls in the throng
of older women who were engineering
the church supper, but apparently
they were all too buoy for converse
tional advances He reflected with
sense of Injury that bis visit was open
ing tamely.
Chester !" 1t was his aunt's brisk
voice. and Scott rose with alacrity.
Energetic Aunt Anne liked to see
people busy In her summons he read
a promise of occupation and wecomed
it regardless OF it's nature. Nor Was
he destined to be disappointed.
This lie my nephew. Mr.. Scott,
said Aunt Anne, addressing a group
of ladies, who acknowledged the IN
PRODUCTION by collective smile. And
he'll be delighted TODD any little er-
rands for US, she added generously.
Now, Mrs. Anderson, tell him about
your Spoons,
Mrs. Anderson beamed gratefully
Oh the young man. I'm sure It's
awiully kind OF you, Mr.. Scott. You
see, we're short OF spoons, and want
TO eend you Tor niue. Do you know
Fayette street, Yes, it crosses Main
at right angles, and my house Is d
yellow cottage on the right, wood
bine over the porch. You'll find the
key under the mat. Go straignt
through the hall into the dining room'
and the spoons are In the left hand
drawer OF the side. board. 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
sppreciative gl4nces IN his direction.
SCOTS spirits rose. He promised
speedy return and started on his er-
rand, rejecting as he went on the re-
treshing confidence of a community
which left its keys under the door
mats and permitted strangers to have
access to its homes
He had no difficulty in finding the
yellow cottage, and the key was In Its
place. He made bis way through the
silent hall into the dining room, and
here he encountered his first check.
The spoons were not in the drawers
of the sldeboard. In fact, they were
not in the sideboard at all, though he
rausacked 1t thoroughly to make sure
Opening the closet door, he was re-
warded by the sight Of a well stocked
| silver chest, aud he possessed himself
of the spoons, promising himself
laugh at the expense of the owner OF
the silver, whose memory was so un-
reliable.
"Hold up your hands !"
The request came in tones whose
determination could not be mistaF en-,
and Scott spun on his heel to 6nd him.
sell facing revolver. B,ck of the
revolver was a girl She was rather
tall girl with very white cheeks and
sbsurdly long l.shes. She wore gar,
| den hat, beneath which little tendril-
like curls festooned themselves about
her forehead. Under other circum
stances Scott would have voted her
charming.
Hold up your hands u said the girl
again, and Scott obeyed, reAectlDg that
it was better to humor her first and
explain afterward. The spoons N his
pocket seemed to weigh ton. He
felt hot and ridiculous
"Your mother asked me"-he began
The girl interrupted him. L have
no mother. Your excuses will only
make bad matter worse
Scott bit hisIip. Absurd as the sit
ustion was, it had serious side. He
| spoke with as much dignity as was
consistent with standing before beau
tiful girl with his hands on level
with his ears. 81 was requested to
come here by the lady Of the house.
be insisted.
"oh, indeed Then perhaps you
will tell me her name.
Scott racked bis brain. In the dis
traction Of that general introduction
Mrs. Anderson's name had failed to
imprint itself on his memory.
4 II don't know her name." be &C.
knowledged, hut she lie dark haired
woman, about forty-6ve. should say,
with good deal Of color" BE would
have gone further with bis descrip-
4 ton, but the young woman checked