The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-06-08

through the keynote OF the pantry
door, may l explain?'
'Certainly not" said Veronica; mot
on any account"
But if you will just listen for one
moment" pleaded the meek voice.
If you just say word" she an
nounced, I'll fire this big gun through
the key-hole.'
You are jolly rough on a fellow"
said the voice, and Veronica almost
thought she heard a sound remotely
like chuckle. May have some
thing to eat?'
She made no reply, and presently
sounds that reached her showed the
prisoner was making good use of his
opportunities.
Presently she began to entertain
feeling of some compunction as she
saw q little trickle of water issuing
from beneath the door and remember
ed how extremely wet his clothes had
been.
He'll catch his death of cold," she
said to. Andrews.
"A good job, too,' said Andrews,
with an audible sniff.
He had rather a nice face" OBJ
served Veronica. Il daresay he
wouldn't really have hurt US
Andrews shifted again.
Are you very wet?" inquired Yer
onica, tapping on the pantry door.
Its not what ] call exactly dry
night observed the prisoner.
Well. I 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, Il have still got my big
loaded gun
Grumbling, Andrews departed to OBJ
tain the necessary apparel from the
room of Veronica's father; but had
scarcely gone when she was back
again, trembling in every limb, her
face ashen.
Dear Lord have mercy on our
souls, she said; there's two more Of
EN- in the dining room.''
What do you mean?" stammered
Veronica
There's two more burglars in the
dining room,' groaned Andrews, "for
the lamp is lit and l hear EN- talkin'
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-
muir of voices and saw CLEAN of
light from the dining room. Her heart
almost stopped beating and her tongue
literally clung to the roof of her
mouth till persistent knocking at
the pantry door forced itself on her
attention.
Excuse me-" said the captive's
voice, lis anything wrong?"
oh, I had forgotten you,' said Ver-
onica despairingly; its only some
more burglars Oh! whatever will be-
come of us?"
Under those circumstances" said
the captive, with a low whistle, Il
think / had better come OUT and put
ting his shoulder to the door he burst
it open with a vigorous push.
Veronica gave a little cry, but, after
than they were already.
II didn't want to frighten you," he
remarked apologetically. Where are
these hurglars?"
In the dining ROOM" she answered
Then may l trouble you for the
poker?" he asked, and taking it he
ran swiftly up the stairs, with Ver-
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 Ver-
onica, wildly, from the background
Dear me-" said the elderly gentle
man, I'VE thought you had gone to
bed, Veronica. Captain Forester, is
that you? This is an unexpected
pleasure, but why are you endeavoring
to hide that poker behind you?" j
Captain Forestier:" gasped Veroni-
ca IL S not, II S burglar L have had
locked up in the pantry, and I thought
you were burglars, too. Oh, mother!"
Then she burst into tears, while her
father looked in mild inquiry at Cap
tain Forester. But he recognized Ver-
onica's father as Mr.. Lathom, whom
he had several times met in the CON-
pany Of his uncle.
You see," he said, my uncle, Mr..
Coping. used tc live here"
Il took the cottage over from him
three months back" said Mr.. Lathom.
Il was coming down to pay him a
visit" continued Captain Forester.
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 bed
room, so 1 thought that instead of
knocking him up on such a 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 nv foot