The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1908-01-30
The Burglary in
Lark Spur Lane
.,-s*.s.s.s.s+s.ss.+s.s-s.t.s.s.+.s.s+'

! Iarkspur Lane, with ltS tDree de-
tached villas, was deserted and silent.
The postman had left the last post at
"Moneta" and "Delphlnium," and
trudged wearily away. A policeman
had strayed down the road short dis
tance, and had thrown his lantern neg
ilgently on the oak fencing, and then
he, too, had turned hack to the main
road and Eliza the cook, at "Valevlan
VILLA who awaited him.
Nothing broke the calm Of Larkspur
Lane. for the figure that entered 1t
from the lighted street neglected the
pavement and came forward In silence
on the soft, badly paved road. There
was no hesitation In his movements (;
apparently his actions were part OF a
premedltated plan. lie glanced up and
down the little cul-de-sac. and then
threw his leg over the oak fencing and
dropped on the other side. Here he
paused listening, but no sound came
from "Moneta" to disturb him. Who
over the intruder might be, he evidently
knew his ground, and had studied his
plan Of campaign with asslduity. He
crossed the little square Of turf and
Jumped lightly across the gravel path,
where the scrunch of the stones would
have betrayed him. Any one casually
approaching the shed in the dark could
not have noticed the path I'm the deep
shadow OF the trees. Silently he open
I'd the door, disappearing one moment
into the darkness, then emerged car
rying short ladder. The incredible
nolselessness of his movements would
have nstounded n watcher. lie walked
up to the house and planted the ladder
against window. Again he paused to
iisten and then ran lightly up 1t, The
window was open, and he swung him
self into the house. Swiftly he sped
upstairs The house had evidently no
more secrets than the garden had held
for him. On the next landing he stopped
n moment outside door, his ear to
the lamb. then he opened 1t. closed Il
after him, and walked straight over
TO a chest that stood beneath the dress
Ing table. From the pocket OF his long
coat he produced a steel chlsel. the
chest emitted one sharp, startling crack
before the lid few open.
The intruder glanced hastily to the
door before he plunged his hand amid
the contents OF the box. Papers, letters
be cast upon the floor, then held a
barge bundle up In the moonlight and
looked at II carefully. Apparently he
was satisfied with his scrutiny, for he
dropped the packet into his pocket. lie
rose from his knee, and lndlscrlminate.
ly swept brooches. bangles. little gold
watch. necklace, and II ring o" Sc
into bag.
The thief looked round the room Will
smile. and then opening the door
made his way downstairs. But the re-
turn journey was fated to be noislel
than his advent. As he passed the bath
toom he jabbed his foot with crash
against n can.
"Lawks! Who's thereg" cried d
voice from within.
The man did not answer. but sped OF
with n laugh.
Whoever had heard him crash int,
the can evidently heard his laugh n,
we'll, and did not recognize II, for h,
heard the bathroom window hastll,
thrown up. lie flung his handkerchle
over the lower part OF his face as h,
climbed out TO his ladder
"Murder" shrleked the servant CIR
from tho bathroom. Fire"
The still laughing burglar slid to tn
ground. but not before there came
mans voice from the garden.
"what Is III" he called, coming RAP
idly nearer. What Is II, Mary7 wher
are your"
''The bathroom. sir" came the mui
hed reply. as decency overcame incl
nation.
The man In the garden watched
maie form pass the window he ha
lust quilted. He scaled the palins