The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1910-06-23
BURGLARS
AS LOVERS?
BY M A s o N r A Y

|, the slightly stopped hgure IN black
broadcloth fade into the darkness.
Been seeing me home from meet
| ing every. Thursday night night two
years. and can't get up courage to
| propose" she unused as she entered
and automatically climbed the
stairs. In the upper hall she paused
at door, fished key from her hand
bag, unlocked the door and entered.
Land sakes," she thought, seeing
the room lighted, II sure turned out
the gas. What ever does this mean?
Burglars?" a T.
Miss Prindle claimed the quality OF
courage Each night she inspected the
housebreaker's well-known strong
hold. Now as she stood glancing
about a slight sound-as Of muff1ed
sneezing-attracted her attention.
1T is burglar" she concluded. In
confirmation of this pair of boots
| showed beneath the valance at the
foot of the bed. -. ~.
Don't move" she said sternly, ad-
dressing the feet. IF you do Ill
shoot" s
At the hall phone she hurriedly
called up central, was connected with
the police station and asked for men
and a patrol.
Hustle lively; I've burglar for
you" she explained. -
. From beneath the bed came in hol-
low tones: For heavens sake, Miss
Prindle. don't call the police. I'm no
thief" a ',
"Then," demanded the astonished
maiden lady, who are you?" s....
I'm Arthur Higgins. You've often
met me on the stairs" declared the
subterranean voice. .a@,. ~. r..
If that's the TRUTH" doubted Miss
Prindle, why are you concealed under
my bed?" r.'.
I'm not" denied the voice. This
is my bed. Your room is across the
hail. Nd
Miss Prindle looked about at the ia.
miliar furnishings. She remembered
that the rooms were as similar as
peas in pod. She had, indeed, turned
to the left instead Of to the right and
her key proved suited to both doors.
But" she argued, unconvinced, III
you are that putty-faced bookkeeper
why are you hiding under your own
bed?" ~
Because" patiently explained the
voice in natural tones, having reversed
position with the feet, II thought you
were Mrs. Buckley" ii ,I...... .........
well, amt Mrs. Buckley, thank
goodness, so crawl out and I'll send
back the police" .....-.-.'. -.
you can't" declared Arthur Hig-
gins appearing at the door of his room.
And you've spoiled everything" he
added gloomily 30, +
Miss Prindle surveyed the pale
young man with establishment.
III" she cried. II spoiled what?"
the elopment," he declared. Il
was about to elope with Mamie Buck
ley" +
"Then," said Miss Prindle with en-.
ergy, If you have enough spunk to
save that poor girl from her heathen-
ish aunt I'll help you off,"
II have an auto waiting at the cor
ner," explained the lover. II thought,
when you came, that all was discov-
cred. I hoped to escape an interview
with Mr.. Buckley. Such an interview
would be painful"
1T would" agreed Miss Prindle.
"And now the police will stop every
thing"
mot If can get you and the girl to
the auto before they come" declared
their friend.
IT you only WILL" implored Mr.. Hig-
gins. -@
Go on and I'll have Mamie there in
minute" she promised.
In the family sitting room, guarded
by her hard-faced, portly aunt, Miss
Prindle found the fuffy-haired orphan.
Mamie" the spinster ordered,
"come and assist me a, moment. You
neglected to turn my bed around. !
can't sleep with the head west"
But in the hall behind the closed sit
ting room. door the girl was made to
understand. In another minute: they
were at the side of the green auto. At
! the request of the lovers, Miss Prindle
climbed in by Mamie and they were
of with a whir. or Ia
Z. At the same instant, NAMES sus-
picious aunt flung wide the front door.
Her quick eye detected the runaways
passing under an arc light. The police
patrol at the moment entered her
vision. They dashed up to her very
curb.
"There they are; there, in the green
motor. Fifty dollars reward II you get
them" she screamed.
Instantly the electric patrol darted
in pursuit The officers had no reason
to doubt that they were on the track
Of daring porch climbers.
Mamie, half fainting, sank back in
the seat between Miss Prindle and her
lover. The former snatched her own
veil from her bonnet and tied it over
| the flying locks of the bride-to-be.
With bent head. Arthur guided the
/ speeding motor between impeding car