Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1907-01-03
dark steps to see what he was after.

nave thken 10 buch wicked ways. lie
had taken on his own coat and vest,
and soon he began trying on some OF
Johns. Then I noticed that he al
ready had on a pair OF Johns trous-
ers. He was right particular. but at
last he found coat and vest OF brown
that matched the trousers. and put
them on. Then. would you believe II.
he put all the scattered garments
carefully back Into the trunk. blew
out the lamp. and almost before I
knew II was out OF the window. When
! looked In the morning. ! found that
not another thing was missing. though
there was plenty lying around that
might be supposed to be agreeable to
burglars. Ordinary burglars are bad
enough, Sue; but burglars that come
and pick and choose amang dead
mems clothes and take nothing but
one old suit are not natural.
"The next morning I made up my
mind that there would have to be a
man In the house; and since I'm past
the age when men will ask me to
marry them. I've simply had to ask
them"
When the postman came that after
noon. he brought Just forty.four let.
tiers. all addressed to "P.. 27l3 Sew.
enty-ninth street" Miss Pritchett read
them In u calmly critical spirit. THEY
are pretty poor lot to choose
FROM" she remarked CONTEMPORARY
to her sister, when she had finished.
II hope the morning mail will bring
something better. Most Of these fools
have wasted their ink describin' their
own handsome persons. or tellin' me
how despritly they have fallen In
love with me merely from readin' my
advertisement. ] don't believe any or
them know enough about farming to
tell the difference between a head OF
cabbage and peck of peas. There's
one, though that is respectful and
sensible. | think I'll write that man
that he can call in the morning. II
can do no harm to look him over. As
for the others" she finished her
sentence by gathering up the mass OF
correspondence In her capacious
apron and carrying 1t out to the
kitchen stove.
The morning mail brought even
more answers, and Miss Pritchett
was busily engaged in going through
them when there was a determined
null at the door-bell.
"Mary." giggled Mrs. Stubs. 70
turning from the front door. Its the
sutton"
Miss Pritchett put aside her let
tiers. carefully adjusted her neck-band,
and marched calmly to the parlor.
4 received your note asking me to
CALL" said a pleasant voice as she
entered, land came at once" The
speaker was tall and broad, with q
good face and clear blue eyes that
looked straight at Miss Pritchett as
he talked. His brown clothes were
neat and we'll brushed, but cut In the
style OF several seasons before. MY
method Of introducing myself, Mad
ame." he continued with quiet dig
nifty, us not such as | should, per-
haps have desired, but | trust"
"Jerusha!" interrupted Miss Pritch-
EFT, her equanimity for once shaken.
1.-THE burglar"
81 really don't understand. Mad
ame." said the visitor. mildly.
"Oh, yes, you do" retorted Miss
Pritchett, her courage returning I'M
der opposition. where did you get
those trousers, sir? And that coat
and vest? Oh, you needn't try to tell
me. know well enough. You stole
them out Of my house In the country
three nights ago."
A smile broke slowly over the
mans face. They are very COMFORT
able. Madame" he said coolly. Then
he added with grave concern. Il can't
explain, Madame, but pray believe me
that"
NO" broke in Miss Pritchett. We
hemently, "Tn not believe anything
until you tell me why you broke into
nv house in the middle of the night
and took poor Johns clothes"
John" he said, seemed to have
plenty more"
Don't be impertinent, sir." she
snapped. why did you break into my
house?"
THAT, madam" he said, after Q
thoughtful pause, lis a secret"
"A secret" screamed Miss Pritch
EFT, her buxom person almost burst.
ing with rage. you outrageous.
house breaking fellow, I'll teach you
to make fun Of Mary Pritchett.'
Then, as a smile stole slowly over her |
face, she continued, with half'laugh'
"A secret, is It? Well, like conun.
drums. Suppose we sit down and
talk about It."