Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-07
opportunities.

served Veronica. T dnresay he wouldn't really have hurt lA"
 Andrews sniffed again. Are you very wet?" inquired Yer. onica, tapping on the pantry door.
 Its not what I call exactly a dry night" observed the prisoner
 Well, am going to give you a change of things" announced veroni- ca. We will put them through the little square window in the wall"
 That's awfully good of you" said the captive gratefully.
 "Only mind" added Veronica in her deep voice, T have still got my big loaded gun.'
 Grumbling. Andrews departed to ob- tain the necessary apparel from the l room of Veronica's father; but had scarcely gone when she was back again. trembling in every limb. her l face ashen.
 Dear Lord have mercy on our souls," she said; there's two more of 'em in the dining room What do you mean?' stammered Veronica.
 There's two more burglars in the dining room," groaned Andrews, flor the lamp is lit and I hear 'em talkin' i and plannin' how to murder us. Oh! our throat's as good as cut already"
 Veronica crept to the foot of the stairs and heard, indeed, low mur- mur of voices and saw gleam of light from the dining room. Her heart almost stopped beating and her tongue literally chung to the roof of her mouth till a persistent knocking at the pantry door forced itself on her i attention.
 Excuse me" said the captive's voice, ifs anything wrong?' "Oh, had forgotten you" said Yer onica despairingly; its only some more burglars. Oh! whatever will be- come of us?"
 Under those circumstances" said l the captive, with a low whistle, T i think had better come out" and put ting his shoulder to the door he burst it open with vigorous push. l Veronica gave little cry, but, after all, things could not be any worse than they were already.
 T didn't want to frighten you" he remarked apologetically. Where are these burglars?"
 Tn the dining room," she answered.
 "Then may trouble you for the poker?" he asked. and taking it he ran swiftly up the stairs, with Yer onica hard at his heels.
 They burst together into the dining room. where two mild-faced elderly people were having some wine and biscuits.
 Father! Mother!" screamed Yer onica. wildly, from the background.
 Dear me" said the elderly gentle man, i've thought you had gone to bed, Veronica. Captain Forestier. is that you? This is an unexpected pleasure but why are you endeavoring to hide that poker behind your"
 Captain Forestier." gasped Veroni- ca. Its not; it's burglar have had locked up in the pantry, and thought you were burglars, too. Oh, mother!" Then she burst into tears, while her father looked in mild inquiry at Cap tain Forestier. But he recognized Yer onicas father as a MT. Lathom, whom he had several times met in the com pany of his uncle.
 You see." he said, "my uncle, Mir. Coping, used to live here" T took the cottage over from him three months back" said Mir. Lathom.
 q was coming down to pay him a visit" continued Captain Forestier. "but my bicycle broke down and was late getting here. Just as I arrived I saw the light go out in the room across uncle used to use as a bed room, so I thought that instead of knocking him up on such wild night, would just camp out in the kitchen. I was in the pantry getting something to eat when Miss Lathom appeared and locked me in. Of course, guessed at once how badly I had put my foot in 1t"
 Dear me-" said Mir Lathom, i've ourselves returned rather unexpected ly, as my wife thought Veronica might be nervous at being alone so much. So she locked you in the pan. try. eh?" Then he began to chuckle. "well. you must stay the night now, Captain" he continued, "and. veroni- ca, you will have to try to make amends to your prisoner"
 Tt was my fault" said Forestier hastily.
 He never was my prisoner" said Veronica. flor he could have got out any time he liked"
 But I didn't Ike" said Forestier in low tone under cover of the laughter that Mir. and Mrs. Lathom had been politely endeayoring to repress. T am quite content to remain your can tive all my life. for you are the pluck fest girl I ever knew"
 "Oh, but you are set free" said Veronica. blushing.
 But I won't be set freq retorted Fofestier; and he and his wife appear SC happy together that there Is no reason to suppose hs has ever regret ted his determination to surrender his liberty and remain permanently Yer onicas Captive"
 A
 Cat and Ostrich Farms.
 Cat farms are numerous all over the