The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-02-19
n Gentleman
BurGIor

copyright. 1909. by American Press Asso-

The burglar was standing at the
sideboard, pouring himself glass OF
wine from n decanter He wore
mask and overalls. click at the
knob OF the door behind him arrested
his attention. lie turned glass in
hand, and faced a young lady in even
ing dress.
There was something very unlike the
class to which the burglar belonged in
Ills courtly bow.
"YOu surprise me-" he said. 81 did
.lot expect to find any of the family up
ct this time Of night. | am about to
take glass Of wine. VIII you permit
me TO pour one for your"
"You will find the silver kept for
daily use I'm that drawer" pointing to
the sdeboard. "Tnke It all and well
come. Don't go upstairs. You will
frighten every one dreadfully."
81 don't need more than one piece"
said the burglar, but It must bear the
Initials of It's present owner"
."Only one piece! May I ask the
cause of such modest demand1
was not aware that burglars took such
frightful risks to Intentionally leave
the plunder behind"
Whether IL was the burglars courtly
manner, his well modnlated 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 smitten by conscience, you con-
fine yourself to very small robbery,
Just enough to gain the means for
meal. I can give you money instead,
in which there Is nothing to betray
you. That would he much better than
TO take piece OF silver with our mark
on It,"
"Your kind thoughtfulness delights
me. But money is no object to meat
least your money. l can make more by
taking these sugar tongs. Probably
they didn't cost $40. They are worth
$500 to me-"
give hundredw
Eyes, and If I don't get away with
them or some other article in this
drawer it will cost me $500-in other
words, there is a difference to me of
81, 1000"
you are joking"
"Ethelv' called mans voice from
the hall above.
"Yes, fatherr'
what are you doing down there.
Go to bed"
"Tell him." whispered the burglar,
"that you are getting some refresh
ment."
I'm getting some refreshment,' she
repeated
"who is with your I heard some one
talking"
"Say n gentleman you met during
the evening who came home with you
and whom you asked in"
"That would be fib."
"Well 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 It under the
dining table, then, unbuttoning his
overalls at the back of his neck, they
fell TO the floor, and he kicked them
under the sideboard. He was In even
ing dress, his bosom covered with
cotillon favors. Scarcely had the
change of costume been made than an
old gentleman In dressing gown and
slippers entered the room,
"Father," stammered the girl. this
is Mr.. Merrymap. He was at Mrs. APP
pleton's this evening, and he kindly
saw me home"
Mr.. Merryman bowed. The old gentle
man bowed stiffiy and said TO his
daughter:
81 didn't hear any one with you
when you came In"
Didn't you, fatherT"
81 have on my rubbers," said Mr..
Merryman. "They exclude water and
have the advantage Of making no
noise"
Convenient for thieves" remarked
Miss Ethel, in whose eyes there was
now dancing much merriment.
your daughter kindly asked me in
for glass of wlne,' said the intruder.
"Can induce you TO join me, sirf"
At this master stroke OF impudence
Miss Ethel repressed smile, and her
father repressed an exclamation Of
dissatisfaction With mo, | thank
You" he turned on his heel and went
upstairs.
"Bob Merryman," exclaimed the girl,
what does this neanf"
at means this: After the last time
you favored me In the eotlllon-th this
badge here-I left Mrs Appleton's for
the club There I met party OF fell
l-sTs-and after lei OF talk bet Per