The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-02-24

tCSE9fSH~t 49,
The burglar was standing at the
sideboard. pouring himself a glass Of
wine from a decanter He wore .
mask and overalls A click at the
knob OF the door behind him arrested
his attention. He turned glass in
hand, and faced young lady in even
Ing dress.
There was something very unlike the
class to which the burglar belonged in
bis courtly bow.
aYou surprise me-" he said. II did
not expect to flnd any Of the family up
at this time Of night I am about to
take a glass Of wine. VIII you permit
me to pour one for your
you win find the silver kept for
daily use in that drawer" pointing to
the sideboard. Take it all and vel
come. Don't 90 upstairs You will
frighten every one dreadfuliy'
81 don't need more than one piece"
said the burglar, ''but Il must bear the
lHktlhic VI ltb RLCnChb OWhSAs
"onIy one piecei May ask the
cause Of such modest demand2 /
was not aware that burglars took such
frightful risks to Intentionally leave
the piunder behind"
Whether It was the burglars courtly
manner, his wen modulated voice or
an air about him Indicating that he
had been to the manner born, the girl
ceased to be afraid of him.
Perhaps" she added, 'you are some
respectable man who has been led into
this life by force Of circumstances
and. smfttsn by conscience, you con-
fine yourself 10 q very small robbery.
Just enough 10 gain the means for
meal. can give you money instead,
in which there Is nothing to betray
you. That would be much better than
to take piece Of silver with our mark
on It."
aYour kind thoughtfnlness delights
me. But money Is no object to meat
least your money. can make more by
taking these sugar tongs. Probably
they didn't cost $40. They are worth
$500 10 me-"
give hundredg'
aYes, and IL I don't get away with
them on some other article in this
drawer 1t will cost me S500-in other
words, there is difference to me OF
$1,000"
aVo,, n~a fnirsno
"Hthel!' called mans voice from
the ball above.
eyes, fatherr'
what are you doing down there.
Go to bed"
sereIl him." whispered the burglar,
athat you are getting some refresh
ment"
'Tm getting some refreshment.' she
repeated.
..who is with your heard some one
talking
esay gentleman you met during
the evening who came home with you
and whom you asked in"
.That would be flb."
"wen, then. say gentleman friend
of yours"
THAT would be worse fib. DON'T
make friends with burglars"
There was a sound Of slippers flap
ping ON the stairs. The burglar pulled
off his mask and threw 1t under the
dining table, then, unbuttoning his
overails at the back Of his neck, they
foil to the floor, and he kicked them
under the sideboard. He was In even
ing dress. his bosom covered with
cotfIlon favors. Scarcely had the
change of costume been made than an
old gentleman in dressing gown ana
clippers entered the room.
aFather.v stammered the girl, this
Il Mr.. Merryman. He was at Mrs. APP
pIeton's this evening, and he kindly
saw me home"
Mr.. Merrynan bowed The old gentle
man bowed stifiy and said to his
daughter:
II didn't hear any one with you
when you came in."
Didn't yeu, father3'
81 have on my rubbers," said Mr.
Merryman. 'sThey exclude water ana
have the advantage Of making no
noise"
convenient fer thieves remarked
Miss Ethel. in whose eyes there was
nov dancing much merriment..
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