Evening journal., 1909-05-17
HER GREAT CAPTURE
BY IRMA D. WILSON.
copyright, 1903. by American Press Asso
ciafiOn

Miss Amy Pettengill was in a dread
ful position. 1t was 8 o'clock at night
She was alone in the house. and she
had warning that burglars were com
ing. There had been a ring at the
doorbell She had answered it, but
found no one. A bit OF paper fiuttered
down as she opened the door. and,
picking it up, she read, Burglars to-
night"
This bare statement OF the fact was
enough 10 put Miss Pettengill in a
tremor She was not interested to
know why or by whom shC< had been
warned, but the thought flashed through
her mind that some one Of the gang
had turned against his fellows either
through a stricken conscience or re-
venge.
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 a new girl and had been employed
without a character" There was no
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
lyzed with terror. Then came a ring
at the doorbell.
To refuse admittance TO any one who
proposed TO rob the house was absurd.
opening. The front door even was not
locked. Her only defense was strata
gem. She would admit the burglar,
pretend not 10 know what he had come
for and watch an opportunity-that is.
If he did not bind and gag her-in the
hope of putting him in a corner. 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. ito get shell
ter for awhile. It's a bad night and
1 can't go on"
Certainly" said Miss Pettengin. dis
sembling. Come in"
Where shall I put this wet suitY'
he asked. "I don't wish TO spoil your
rugs"
go right up on TO the third floor
There is n bathroom there. You can
lay your suit in the tub"
The man looked a trife surprised.
but made no objection Miss Petten-
gill led the way. The prospect Of sue
cess Of a trap she was laying gave
her courage. and she became momen-
tarily elated The bathroom was in
the center Of the house. with no win
dow, vent ated and lighted by a small
opening in the roof. The man entered
and was throwing of his rubber coat
when Miss Pettengill, who had gone
a little ahead and changed the key
from inside to outside, closed the door
and locked it. Then she proceeded to
faint.
When she came TO herself she heard
a loud knocking at the bathroom door
She got on her feet and staggered
downstairs. Doubtless the man she
had shut up had been sent in to rec
onnoiter. His pals would probably
wait for a signal. She sat down to
think.
She sat perfectly still for a long
while. an hour perhaps. but heard no
sound except an occasional knocking
above. After awhile even it ceased.
Midnight came. Being tired and worn
with excitement. she threw herself on
a lounge. The excitement kept her
awake for awhile. but in time she
fell asleep.
When she awoke It was broad day
light. She was surprised to see the
sash of a window raised. There was
: also a peculiar smell, which she soon
, recognized rs chloroform. Getting up,
she went across the hall into the din
ing room. The drawers Of the side
board were open and what silver had
been left there was gone Running
upstairs. she found that the bureau
drawers. closets, etc, had been ran
sacked.
She listened for a sound from the
bathroom. where she had Gagged the
advance burglar. Hearing nothing. she
. ran upstairs. tripped lightly to the
I door. listened tried the knob and
= found It still locked. There was a
:, faint sound as Of one breatL-lg in
s sleep.
Miss pettengill ran all the way to
= the nearest house, where she found
. the family at breakfast
"Our house has been robbedr she
d exclaimed and dropped into a chair.
Are you Miss Pettengill:" asked a
lady at the head Of the table excitedly
YES"
ooh. heavensl Has my son been
killed%
"Your SOM"
"Yes. A bit Of paper was left here
last night saying that your house
E would be robbed during the night My
son thought it might be a hoax. but
concluded to go to your protection. he
= said he wouldn't frighten you by tell
> ing you about the robbers. He'd Just
60 in and be there in case they came
"Oh. my goodness graciousw
Tell me quick. Is he deadr
"No."
D "Where is hep
e II locked him in the bathroom"
] There was a hurried return to the
plundered house, and the bathroom
was unlocked. A young man who hat
made a bed of the tub emerged. who
2 without his rubber outfit and Miss Pet