Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-07-01
HER GREAT CAPTURE
BY lRMA D. WILSON.
copyright, 1909, by American Press Asso
cioTiOn.l

Cl3tion.J
Miss AMY Pettengil was in Il dread
full position. 1t was o O'Clock at night.
She was alone in the house. and she
had warning that burglars We're com
ing. There had been 4 ring ut the
| doorhell. She had answered it, but
found no me. y bit of paper 1iuttered
down as she opened the door, and,
picking it up, she read, Burglars to-
night
This bare statement OF the fact vas
enough to put Miss Pettengill in Il
tremor. She was not interested to
know why or by whom she had been
warned. but the thought flashed through
her mind that sone Il OF the gang
had turned against his fellows either
through a stricken conscience or re-
vense.
But what was she to do? The fam
lily had left her for the night with
only a maid. and the maid had disap-
peared. Had she anything to do with
the proposed burglary: Probably. She
was 4 new girl and had been employed
Il q liz INV u AC
telephone connection. the house stood
half a mile from any other, and the
night was stormy. Nevertheless Miss
Pettengill put on her rubbers, took an
umbrella and was about to go for as
Sistance when she heard voices with
out. She stood still in the hall. para
lived With terror. Then anne a ring
at the doorbell.
To refuse adnittaGce to any Il who
proposed TO rob the house was absurd.
An entrance could be forced at any
opening. The front door wen was not
locked. Her only defense was strata
gem. She would admit the burglar.
for and watch an opportunity-that is,
if be did not bind and gag her-in the
hope of putting him in a corne Sum
moning all the resolution there was
left in her, she opened the door.
There stood a man in a rubber suit
from which the rain was dripping.
Il would like he said. "to get shell
ter for awhile. It's a bad night and
I can't go on"
certainly" said Miss Pettengill. dis
semblins. Come in"
Where shall l. put this wet suit:"
he asked u don't wish to spoil your
rugs
Go right up on to the third floor.
There is Il bathroom there. You can
lay Your suit in the tub"
The man looked 4 tritie surprised.
but made no objection. Miss petten-
gill led the way. The prospect Of sue
cess of q trap she was laying gave
her courage. and she became momen-
tarily elatcd. The bathroom was in
the center Of the house, with no win
dow. ventilated and lighted by 4 small
opening in the roof. The man entered
and was throwing off his rubber coat
when Miss pettengill. who had CONS
q little ahead and changed the key
from inside to outside. closed the door
and locked il. Then she proceeded to
faint.
When she came to herself she heard
q loud knocking at the bathroom door
She got on her feet and staggered
downstairs. Doubtless the mar she
had shut up had been sent in to rec.
onnoiter. His pals would probably
wait for a signal. She sat down tc
think.
She sat perfectly still for a lons
while. an hour perhaps. but heard nc
sound except an occasional knocking
, above. After awhile even it ceased
Midnight came. Being tired and wor1
with excitement. she threw herself OF
a lounge. The excitement kept be,
awake for awhile. but in time sh,
; fell asleep.
When she awoke it was broad day
light. She was surprised to see tn,
sash Of q window raised. There wa
also q peculiar smell. which she sool
. recognized az chloroform. Getting up
she went across the hall into the din
ing Don The drawers of the side
: board We're open and what silver ha'
been left there was gone. Runnin;
upstairs. she found that the burea1
drawers. closets. etc. had been ran
sacked.
: She listened for a sound from tn
bathroom. where she had Gagged tn
advance burglar. Hearing nothing. sh
ran upstairs, tripped lightly to tn
door, listened, tried the knob an,
found it still locked. There was
faint sound as of one breathing i
sleep.
3 Miss Pettengill ran all the way t
the nearest house, where she foun
the family at breakfast.
Our house has been robbed..' sh
exclaimed and dropped into a chair.
Are you Miss Pettengill:" asked
: lady at the head Of the table eXcitedly
l Yes"
. "Oh, heavens. Has my son bee
& killed."
Your SOM"
Yes. \ bit of paper was left her
last night saying that your hous
would be robbed during the night. N
sou thought it might be q hoax, BIT
r concluded to go to your protection. II
: said he wouldn't brighten YOU by tel
ing you about the robbers. He'd jus
s go in and be there in case they came.
ooh, my goodness gracious"