La Junta tribune., 1907-06-29
Capturing
A Burglar.
., u..,;.s l...s. sa,sA.
Copyright. iss. sy Mary NeK<os.
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8uO Iauotu uInbNh WIN uiS hAA.
Through the open door came the sound
OF feminine voices. animated and eager.
The young man's eyes scanned the
landscape with something Of wistful-
ness In their depths. He had noticed
one or two pretty girls In the throng
OF older women who were enEineerIn.
the church supper. but apparently they
were all too busy for conversational
sdvancex. He reelected with sense
Of injury that his visit was opening
tamely.
Chester II was his nunt's brisk
voice. and Scott rose with alacrity. En
erHetic Aunt Anne lied to see people
busy In her summons be read prom
.ise Of occupation and welcomed II re-
gnr1le~s OF Its nature. Nor was he
destined to le disappointed
This is my nephew. Mr.. Scott" said
Aunt Anne. addressing group Of Ia
dies. who acknowledged the introduc-
ton 10y collective smile. .'And he'll
he delighted to do any little errands
for u.s. 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 to send you
for mine. Do you know Fayette street:
Yes, Il crosses Main Mt right angles,
and my house Is yellow cottage on
the right. with woodbine over the
porch You'll find the key under the
mat. Go straight through the ball 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 murnured assent
md one or two of the younger flashed
npprecintive glances in his direction
Scotia spirits rose. He promised a.
speedy return and started on his err
rand, rejecting as he went on the re-
freshing confidence of 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 his 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 sideboard. In fact, they were
not ia the si1eboard mt all. though he
rlnSacked it thoroughly to make sure.
Opening the closet door. he was re-
war,lcd by the sight OF a we'll stocked
silver chest, and he possessed himself
OF the spoons. promising, htsnseif a
laugh ut the expense OF the owner OF
. the silver, whose memory was 80 un-
reliable.
Held up your hands!'' -ssa esssss '''ss'
The request came In tones whose
determination could not be mistaken,
and Scott spun OF his heel to find him
self facing n revolver. Rack of the
revolver was u girl She was n rather
tall girl with very white cheeks anl
absardly long lashes. She wore u gar
den hat, beneath which little tendrIl-
Ike curls festooncI themselves about
her forehead. Under other circum-
stances Scott would have voted her
charming.
Hold up your hands.' said the girl
again. and Scott obeyed, reficcting that
It was better to humor her first and
explain 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. Il have
no mother. Your excuses win only
make bad matter WORSE
Scott bit his lip. Absurd as the sit
untion was. 1t had serious side. He
spoke with as much dignity as WIS
consistent with standing before a beau
tiful girl with his hands on level
with his ears. II was requested to
come here by the lady of the house,
lie insisted.
"Oh, indeed. Then perhaps you will
tell me her name"
Scott racked his brain. In the dis
traction OF that general introduction
Mrs. Anderson's name had failed II
imprint itself on his memory.
Il don't know her name" he ac-
knowIedged. "but she is a dark haired
woman. about forty-nve. should say.
with a good deal OF color" He would
have gone further with his descrip-
tion. but the young woman checked
him by gesture not to be misunder-
stood.
II prefer to know no more OF your
prepostprous fiction" she said wither-
ingly. Evidently you are not as
shrewd as you think yourself. 1t hap
pens that am the lady OF this house.
and I am going to keep you right here
until my uncle comes"
Scott Cursed his folly. Doubtless
there were yellow cottages ON every
block and all the neighborhoOd kept its
keys under the door mat He tried to
say something about q mistake. but
she would not listen. Keeping her eye
upon him, she seated herself deliber-
ately PLEASE do not move" she said.
''or shall be compelled to shoot. and