The Democratic advocate., 1908-02-28
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 20, 1908
A Sentimental Burglar.
BY ERNEST ROEsER.

He knew how to step lightly and
s.jimmy'' the long French window in the
dark corner of the veranda, so he must
have understood his business. No anna
teur burglar could have effected entrance
into the house so neatly and surely.
And after he was in the room he ex-
ercised the same deliberate care, the
seeming unconcern, and sat down by
smouldering fire to warm his hands.
When he was comfortable he surveyed
the room with an electric flash lamp, and
then calmly ransacked the tall desk in
the corner. One drawer was locked, but
he fooled this with ease, and then, for
the first time, evidenced excitement. He
scooped out its contents.
Seventeen dollars he muttered,
disdainfully. "Hardly worth taking. y
But he had no idea Of leaving it, evil
IDENTIFY, for he carefully slowed the bills
in his vest pocket.
He continued his search of the room,
picked up a trinket here and something
there, all of which he placed in the mid
die OF the table, preparatory to wrapping
them together when his task was finished.
In one corner of the room the glow
from his fash lamp glinted on shining,
polished surface. He reached into the
shadow and lifted cello into the dim
light of the fire. After examining the
instrument critically, he dropped its base
to the floor and, as he idly swung it to
and fro, seemed specializing. Then he
looked at the instrument long and in
tensely and sat down in meditation. He
unconsciously thumbed the strings and
the touch evidenced knowledge of the
instrument.
eff I had chance to run the bow
over the strings for minute or two"
he muttered, ~ might be able to tell its
worth. It's too big and suspicious Il
package to carry away at this time Of the
night, and then, after all, it may not be
genuine.
After short pause, he arose abruptly,
like one with his mind made up. He
walked softly and quickly to the door
leading out of the room, closed it, went
to the corner, and then returned to the
instrument with the bow in his hand.
"I'n chance it," he said below his
breath.
Softly-very softly-he drew the bow
across the strings, and then, after tuning
little, he tested, with the anxiety of a
purchaser, the qualities of the cello. If
it was a good one, he would take it; if
not, it was not worth the trouble and
risk. Evidently he was hard pressed
for money when he was quite willing to
steal anything that might be converted
into cash.
As he played, very softly. note
seemed to catch vein of song and
climbed sweetly until it swayed in tender,
sweet and trembling tones.
Sometimes it seemed that he was play
ing on the heartstrings Of II woman, and
she was weeping, more in sorrow than
pain. Then again he was conversing
with his soul, and the melody ran on the
strings until it found man voice and
Aoated in the air He laughed and cried,
he sang and then moaned, and all the
time his lips parted, his head and body
swayed, and he seemed to be unconscious
Of where he was, how he came to be
there, and of everything else.
He did not hear the door softly opened,
nor did he see the figure of young girl,
her dark hair falling on the cloak she had
thrown around her, and her face express
sive of wonderment, fear and admiration
all at once. She stood immovably by
the doorway, listening, and she, too,
became lost in the wonderful melody pro-
duced by the burglar artist. And then
A coal in the fire CRATE snapped, and,
with nervous start, he leaped to his
feet, turning about swiftly. Instinct
lively he knew that he was not alone in
the room. The girl pressed her hands
to her bosom, and shrank against the
wall. For fully minute they surveyed
each other, and then the girl, breaking
the spell, made a movement toward the
door as if to flee. He quickly raised
his hand.
"Stop p he said. "You need have
no fear. II am sorry that I so far
forgot myself as to arouse you." And
he seemed ashamed that he had been so
unprofessional
"Who are your she cried. "And
what are you doing here p
"Who Iam," he said bitterly, "makes
no difference. As to why 1 am here, I
was trying to better my condition with
anything I might find" Pointing to-
ward the window, he continued: e'I
came in there. I was fortunate enough
to find this instrument in the corner and
then I was fool enough to allow it to
betray me. Iguess it's about time I'm
going. It's yours, isn't it p he asked,
simply.
She nodded her head, too frightened
to speak.
'sI guessed as much-otherwis I
would take it with me. It's a grand
instrument. Do you play it?''
Again she nodded, then, with effort,
she hastily added:
.sBut not like you-not like you p
''You must study-study hard. You
have the face Of an artist.
He walked toward the window to de-
part, when, recollecting himself, he took
the $17 he had stolen from the desk and
dropped it on table.
He stepped onto the veranda and,
before closing the window, he took last
look at the girl, who still stood like
statue near the doorway.
s'You must study hard, :" he said, and
was gone.