Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1909-01-14

1t ought to work the same way with
the girls. You're so detected
You're a regular Sherlock
Holmes" said the girl sarcastically.
l'Y GU should have applied your tai
ents to the hunting of criminals than
to being one yourself. But what If
you were right?'
Nothing, my lady, except that
fellow loves company in his misery
You and l seem to be in the same
boat. If we nad met on more con-
ventional terms | would suggest that
we drown our mutual sorrow in each
other How long has 1t been?"
About two years" she answered.
Her thoughts had strayed from the
conversation now, and she was won
dering how much longer she would
have to entertain her burglar ac-
quaintance, before help came. The
man was so exaspera ting.
That's nice" he said. We're
getting more in sympathy with each
other every minute. AS a matter of
fact, I've also been a strayer from
the fireside and loved ones for near
ly as long. It's queer coincidence,
isn't 1t, and pity that we don't
know each other better? That l have
never seen your face, and you have
never seen mine? You may not be
anxious, but | am. My curiosity is
aroused. l would much like to steer
another brother of the fraternity on
to this pleasant place of entertain
ment, and be able to describe to him
the face of the girl who acts as the
reception committee. Now, let's
see. It's nearly midnight, quite an
propriate hour for unmasking. What
do you say? 1t will be good joke
and q very fitting ending of the
nights escapade, for you, at Least.
Is it agreed?"
Yes" said the girl, "I'll agree,
but then"
You were thinking that you
would not be able to recognize the
phiz of your erring knight, and you
weren't anxious about exposing your
own countenance. Is that it?"
Eyes, that's it. You see, | have
no burglars among my intimate ac-
quaintances
quite possible" the intruder said,
: with weak smile, as the bitter
irony of her answer cut him, but
suppose he has turned burglar?
did"
"oh, no." the girl cried hastily,
2 Jack would never do that, 1 know
l quite possible again. But sup
Z pose he did. The girl l left prob
ably thinks the same of me as you
I do of him. Then what? ust sup
l pose,' he continued, that he should
have been the one to pop into this
i house tonight instead of me. You
! would have to admit then that you
had burglar among your acquain-
! tances. Or, would you refuse to re
q ceive him?"
! mo" answered the girl, with {
y little laugh, II wouldn't be so harsh
d as that. I'd forgive him."
e You're magnanimous."
e I'm not. l love him..
g "He's a lucky dog, he is; and {
d blame fool to leave such a girl al
5 you"
d "As to his being lucky, can
q say. But as to his being foil, why
) he's not. 1t was all my fault tina
he went away, and Pm sorry, blu
e much good it does me to say 81
L. now"
e 1.-THE which is just my case again
d I'm sorry l went, and | think it wa
my own fault"
e why don't you go back then, an'
% tell her SOP
,, What! Go back to her burg
IL lar? She wouldn take me. She
l. hate me. How could l tell he
e this?"
e ooh, but you must. You mus
=, go to her and tell her everything
- She'll forgive, l know We're al
le alike And then, you know, She
a, probably waiting for you You'll &c
II won't you?"
Yes, | will, And I'll tell he
u about the girl that sent me. Good
lie "oh, not right away. It's 1
m o'clock, you see and you said w
would unmask then"
lie That's right. Now, when 1 sa
three"
re "Jack!p
"Marionl"
+ After their sudden outburst O
mutual recognition, they stood trans
S, fixed in dumb amazement, his fac
covered with shame and surprise
lie hers drawn in pain and pity me
>" ment they stood without speaking
~ when the sound of footsteps on tn
IL. veranda caused him to turn to flee.
IN He was too late, and before h
had time to take step handcuI
snapped about his wrist.
er He submitted with weak smile, to
surprised to resist. The girl, for
lg moment, was dazed by the sudden
es ness of the capture, and then sh
Id exclaimed, with laugh:
g. "Why you Stiles, it's Jack com
of home. 1 met him at the party /