Connecticut western news., 1909-03-04
AAAAAAAAAAAAl 4 Gentlemen
 B1srgior
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ICopyright, 1909, by American Press Asso-


 wine from q decanter He wore a mask and oyeraIs. click at the knob of the door behind him arrested . his attention. He turned glass in ! hand, and faced young lady in cven- ! ing dress.
 There was something very unlike the | class to which the burglar belonged in ] his courtly bow. "You surprise me-" he said. Il did not expect to find any of the family up at this time of night. I am about , 1! take a glass of wine. Will you permit me to pour one for you?' You will find the silver kept for daily use in that drawer" pointing to the sideboard. "Take it all and well come. Don't go upstairs. You will frighten every one dreadfully." "I don't need more than one piece" said the burglar, 'but 1t must bear the Initials of it's present owner" "Only one piece! May ask the cause of such modest demand? l was not aware that burglars took such frightful risks to intentionally leave the plunder behind"
 Whether 1t was the burglars courtly manner, his well 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. I can give you money instead, in which there is nothing to betray you. That would be much better than to take a piece of silver with our mark on it."
 "Your kind thoughtfulness delights me. But money is no object to meat least your money. I can make more by taking these sugar tongs. Probably they didn't cost $1O. They are worth $500 to me-
 "Five hundredw
 "Yes, and if I don't get away with them or some other article in this drawer it will cost me $5O0-in other words, there is difference to me of s1,0OO."
 . You are joking"
 "Ethelr' called a 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.
 seWho 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 fib."
 "Wel1, then, say a gentleman friend of yours"
 "That would be a worse fib. l 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 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 hada the change of costume been made than an old gentleman in dressing gown and slippers entered the room.
 "Father." stammered the girl, ''this is MT. Merryman. He was ateMrs. Ap- pleton's this evening, and he kindly saw me home."
 MT. Merryman bowed. The old gentle man bowed stifhy and said to his daughter:
 q didn't hear any one with yos when you came in."
 Didn't you, fatherp'
 q have on my rubbers," said MT Merryman. "They exclude water and have the advantage of making nc noise"
 "Convenient for thieves" remarked Miss Ethel, in whose eyes there was now dancing much merriment.
 "Your daughter kindly asked me II for a glass of wine," said the intruder "Can I induce you to join me- sir?"
 At this master stroke of impudenc' Miss Ethel repressed a smile, and he father repressed an exclamation c SatiSfaction. Wltn NO, InaAi you," he turned on his heel and wen upstairs.
 Bob Merryman," exclaimed the gir "what does this meanT
 sIt means this: After the last tim you favored me in the cotillon-th1 badge here-I left Mrs. Appletons fo the club. There I met party of fe 1oxx,c o1d flor o Iot of talk | bet Per kins that I would burglarize your fa ther's house, bringing away some al ticle of silver properly marked as ev dence of the burglary. You interrup ed me in my honest work Of makin money enough to buy wine and cigar for a month, and unless you let m get away with the proof instead c winning I'll loose an equal amount"
 "Upon my word! What pranks yo mon will bn mn tOf Take the Sug1