Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-04-23
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Miss Mayhew's
Burglar


~NO~N~O7~N~O~1O~O
Obeying 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 a human being
behind the heavy drapery, Mr.. Bill
Garlin dropped his black bag OF booty
to the floor and held his hands high
above his head. Experience had taught
Mr.. GarIin a number of things, and
ono was that the etiquette Oh the
drop" Is not always recognized by
fDeaceable householder awakened IN the
dead hour of the night by a proving
burglar. Therefore it 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 peeping
from the parted curtains was held with
disconcerting steadiness, and above and
beyond were two unwavering points or
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 a
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 "Bill the Brick"
"A pretty fellow" came in a rasp-
ing voice from the curtains-'a pretty
fellow to rob 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, "Beggin 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
moyel !" said the voice. DO you think
that kind of subterfuge would de-
eeiye anyone? As If you didn't know
that | have the entire proceeds of last
nights lecture here in my travelling
bag! OH this isn't the first attempt
that's been made to rob cue in my tray
els. but no brute OF man ever en-
tered my room before. Mighty lucky
go 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
them. Then you'll step into that ward
robe there and be locked in while 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
vou lay your coat on that chair-and
hurry"
Then you'll remember me. Miss
Mavhew," pursued the burglar, losing
no time In complying with the sharp
command: you'll remember little Will
lie Garlln, surely-why, you Joined me
"a read. you did. In Sceneryville. Ohio,
years 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 a nerv-
Gus semi-clrcle that brought to Mr.. Gar
lin poignant fear OF its accidental
discharge. Then the curtains were sep
arated to permit the protrusion OF Q
head and a hand: In the latter held q
small night lamp. and the burglar saw
dimly the face OF his boyhoods in
structor-a face he would even We
have recognized anywhere. though the
glrlish features he remembered were
shadowed by the hard lines OF a self
dependent woman of the world. whose
fifty years were marked by straight
iron-gray hair, which in youth haC
been o. inky blackness.
"A Garlin-and burg,ar." he heard
her murmur as II to herself She re
placed the lamp behind the curtains
not forgetting her control of tn,
weapon. I'D know Garlin any
L
harsh tone came back 10 her voice sud
denly, and she went on; Yes you ar,
WIN Garlin, but you are a dangerou
criminal. Now. l want you TO TAX
from each hip pocket a revolver, muz
zIe down-and mind. one little NOV,
the wrong way and III shoot"
Honest. there's only one" be pro
tested, and the weapon was laid on III
floor.
Dlsarmed, he made a step toward he
with a plea for mercy on his lips.
This means good long trip for me
Miss Mayhem. for there are two o
three other things will come up agains
me when I'm taken. want you {
think a minute before you do wha
can't be undid. I'm not as bad as man
OF 'en. / never robbed a woman an
/ always picks on the heightened ones
"Oh. think you're bad enough. VII
Gariin-bad enough to be put behin'
the harn for a term and I doubt no