Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1909-11-05
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initials Of its present owner"
cause Of such modest demand? II
was not aware that burglars took such
frightful risks to Intentionally leave
the plumber behind"
Whether it was the burglars courtly
manner, his we'll 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, smitten by conscience, you con.
fine yourself to very small robbery,
just enough to gain the means for
meal. 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,
'Yo,lr kind thoughtfulness 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 So They are worth
$500 to me-"
Give hundred"'
Eyes, and If 1 don't get away with
them or some other article in this
drawer it will cost me $5OO-in other
words, there is 4 difference to me OF
$1,000"
You are Joking"
"Ethel! called mans voice from
the hall above.
Eyes, fathery'
"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 you? heard some one
talking"
''Say a gentleman you met during
the evening who came home with you
and whom you asked in"
'That would be a fib."
''Well, then, say gentleman friend
Of yours"
''That would be worse fib. I don't
make friends with burglars"
There was 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.. Merryman. He was at Mrs. Ap.
pleton's this evening, and he kindly
saw me home"
Mr.. Merryman bowed. The old gentle
man bowed stiff1y and said to his
daughter:
Il didn't hear any one with you
when you came in"
Didn't you, father?'
II 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 wine," said the intruder.
"Can induce you to join me, sir?''
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 mean?"
1T means this: After the last time
you favored me in the cotillon-this
badge here-I left Mrs. Appleton's for
the club. There met party Of fel-
lows, and after a lot Of talk I bet Per-
kins that would burglarize your ia
theirs house, bringing away some ar
ticle of silver properly marked as evil
dence Of the burglary. You interrupt
ed me in my honest work Of making
money enough to buy wine and cigars
for month. and unless you let me
get away with the proof instead OF
winning I'll loose an equal amount"
upon my word! What pranks you
men will be up to! Take the sugar