Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-04-03
The Burglar and the Belle.

/ threshold, facing HIM.
| With one small satin shoe thrust deli
cately forward and one hand still resting
on the knob of the door, which she held
open, her lips parted in an inarticulate
gasp of surprise, and her great blue eyes
wide open in sheer amaze, she complete
| ly justified at that instant her claim to
be considered one of the prettiest debu
tantes of the last London season.
The Burglar at the very first glance
conceded it. The slight shade of annoy
ance that had crossed his features passed
| instantly, as he turned toward her with
| a little bow.
with your permission" he muir
INJURED politely, at the same time raising
the wineglass to his lips
who are your" demanded the girl,
her eyes still riveted on his face, as
| though in a kind of fascination, which,
nevertheless, seemed singalarly free
| from any element of terror-for the ae-
cents of the Burglar had instantly con-
veyed by their subtle tone of culture,
a strange and soothing sense of security
to her soul, with a wagner sense OF
something, at the moment elusively, ia
miliar to her memory-"Who are your"
she repeated, in a ratb"r more peremp-
tory voice, as he carefully set down his
empty wineglass on the sideboard again.
The Burglar passed cambria handker-
chief delicately across his lips.
| "0h, don't YOU know? ?" he replied with
i an apologize gesture. I'm a burglar"
| She regarded him for a moment with
the dawn of an appreciative smile how
ering round the corners of her beautiful
little mouth.
"Mr. Tolroy," she said sweetly, 81
think you would look ever so much nicer
| if you took off that stupid black mask"
| The Burglar gave a little resigned ges-
ture; then he sat up and carefully re-
moved the bit of black cardboard from
his forehead.
",To think that you should have recog-
nized mel" he murmured, as lie placed it
on the table beside him.
Recognized you'll" She uttered low,
musical laugh. Il recognized you the
moment | shut the door. Do you think
should have come into the room and
talked like this to a burglar l didn't
| know?"
ut certainly would not have been
strictly proper" he admitted; but l
imagined my disguise to be quite per-
| feet"
He looked at her reproachfully.
Surely you don't think ] am such an
| intolerable idiot as to break into per-
sons house at night and run the fearful
risk of being shot by Sir Thomas Just
for fun, do you? l was dining tonight
with Charlie Craster and Lord PEN
hurst, and they bet me pony that /
wouldn't burgle Sir Thomas house and
fetch away silver teapot, or something
of the kind-to prove had really got in,
you know; and / took the bet, and they
are waiting round at Craster's chambers
for me now"
''But"-she knitted her brows in per-
| plexity-"what do you want pony for
Mr.. Tolroyg You've got one horse al
ready, haven't your
"A pony" he explained, glancing at
her severely, sis not an ANIMAL mean
not always an ANIMAL" he corrected
himself. SIN this case it is a sum of
$50, which l should regret extremely
having to hand over to Penhurst and
Craster"
Il think l should, too" she remarked
pensively. Both Mr.. Craster and Lord
Penhurst are quite rich enough as it is,
whilst YOU" She paused and bit her
lip.
oh said the Burglar, don't mind
finishing the sentence, please. I'm not
rich. I'm only a younger son, and-to
be quite candid with you'll have been
seriously thinking of taking up some
profession lately. Burglary struck me as
not Improbable one"
You are not fitted to be burglar"
4 taNr -
another profession, in which you are less
| likely to-be shot by Sir Thomas!"
The Burglar sighed heavily.
| what does it matter, after all, if
am shot" he murmured.
1T matters good DEAL" she ex-
claimed with energy.
| ITO whom?' he asked in defect.
ed tones.
ITO whomP Well, toto" she
paused an instant, 'to lots of people
to your friends, for instance"
| ''0h, they wouldn't mind much,7 he
assured her cheerily. They'd get over
it in day or two. | really don't think
anybody would mind much. There are
such heaps of other fellows to take ones
place. you know"
Don't be sillyl They would mind.
Some would" she replied, becoming a
little confused.
The Burglar took a step forward and
stood looking down at her with a sudden
expression of earnestneSs.
would your" he asked bluntly.
Her eyes dropped, and she let her
cheek rest on her hand as she gazed at
the dying embers in the CRATE
who dares greatly" She murmured,
achieves much"
But you!" He made a mute gesture
of protest. You are the belle of the
London season--whereas am only"
She looked up at him under her lashes
without raising her head.
"A burglarl" she said softly.
/ 81 renounce the profession from this
moment he declared firmly.