Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-03-11
A BURGLARS ROMANCE
ssWelll"

Bill Evans, gentleman burglar, who
by the dimmed light had been quietly
working at the combination of the
library safe, turned with start.
Standing in the doorway, with lev
eled revolver, was a beautiful white
robed girl. Thick, wavy brown hair
fell in tumbled masses on her shout
ders, her cheeks were slightly pale
and the hand which held the revolver
slightly trembled.
"Well?" drawled Bill, slowly rising
to his feet. He was handsome fel-
low, manly built, with frank open
countenance.
Mechanically, his hand went to his
coat pocket.
Don't you dare!" TREMENDOUSLY cried
the girl.
Evans pulled cigarettes from his
| pocket.
Have one?" he queried approach
ing.
I'll scream; keep away she
threatened.
"Oh, won't harm you," remarked
Bill, closing the box.
Are you real-real burglar p
naively asked the girl
Bill laughed "No-bless your heart,
little one. I'm financier. ! live on
borrowed capital
But what are you doing in here at
this time of night, kneeling before
papa's safe?" queried the girl in sur
prise letting the gun fall to her side.
well, IT'S this way. Your father
is busy man; he does not like to
be annoyed Knowing this, and need
! ing money, | just slipped in here TO
borrow some, while he slept"
"Oh, oh. but that IS
/ Now. now, | know what you are
going to say" interrupted the burglar
| financier. "You are going to say that
| is stealing Usually it would be so,
| but / never borrow at night without
leaving properly signed note. He
pulled out a slip of paper. Handing
! it to her, the girl read:
Ten days after death | promise to
| pay 10 the order OF ----, at the
Bank of Hell's Fire, the sum of ----
| "R T. NEXT
The girl fingered the note gingerly
r. L. Next" she repeated slowly.
! Then her eyes twinkled merrily. She
| seemed 10 forget fear; forgot that ii
! is very unconventional for a young
! girl. attired in night robe to sit chat
ting with a burglar.
You're joking!" she exclaimed
cycling him roguishly. "You are a bur
| glar, I'm next"
AS Bill looked at the smile-wreathed
face he sighed inwardly.
Why had he not met a girl like her
before? Oh, if he could only hope.
But pshaw! She is a millionaire's
daughter, and he burglar.
''S-s-s-sh," warned the girl. noise
was heard in the room above.
Come with me-" She seized his
hand and led the way into an adjoin-
inc room A window, strangely open
looked out upon the broad porch.
Now, 60" she said, giving his
hand warm pressure. He looked
deeply into her eyes. GO and try
to be better; be better, for er--my
sake" Her head dropped prettily.
Instantly Evans caught her in his
arms, and, drawing her to him, plant
ed a kiss, hot and burning, on her
warm. .upturned lips. Then he stepped
through the window and was gone.
The memory of that kiss still lin
! gered whe nhe picked up the paper
al breakfast the next morning. Glar-
inc headlines met his gaze: $4,000
STOLEN FROM
COL HEFFERMAN'S HOME
Safe of Well Known Bachelor Looted
by Robbers.
Woman's night robe, and note for
$4,000. evidently left for joke, the
only clues. Note says: Ten days
after death. | promise to pay to the
| order of Col Hefferman, at the Bank
of HelPs Fire, the sum of $4,000.
(Signed) h U. NEXT.
On the back is Endorsement in
woman's handwriting. 'R. U, Next y
Then below are the words Get
Wise-Better Reform-Ha, ha!"
"Stung." calculated Bill, crumpling
the naper and throwing it from him
"And | had resolved to reform and
was dreaming Of marrying an heiress.
Outwitted by a female crook. -
Brooklyn Citizen.
Work Cut Out for Pa.
Tommy-Pa, did you really mean 1t