The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-12-02
Penelope and a Burglar
By CLARlSSA MACkIE


coat; her cheeks were crimson now
with mingled anger and embarrass-
ment, and, recklessly. she tore of the
obscuring goggles.
'To-your Identity" said the man,
somewhat ]amely. He was staring at
Penelope with thoughtfully knitted
brows. Where have I seen you be-
fore:" he burst forth, suddenly.
I'm the rogues' gallery. I suppose"
retorted Penelope. Nov, my good
man, do not care to listen to your
nonsense any longer; If you do not
leave this place Immediately, shall
II shall-scream for assistance"
The man looked thoughtfully at the
red slipper and then at Penelope gaz-
Ing sternly at him. II really thought
you were lady Raf1es," he said, with
note Of doubt in his voice. III you
have any right here shall be glad
to hear your explanation. Mrs. Brad
ly gave me to understand the apart
ment was quite vacant"
Mrs. Bradly!" gasped Penelope
do you mean to say that Mrs. Lean.
der Bradley told you our apartment
would be vacant?"
Mrs. Bradley said her apartment
would be vacant" he corrected. mild
ly; II happen to be Mrs. Bradly's
brother and she sent me here to So
cure small package from her writ
ing desk, but
Penelope's brown eyes we're dane
ing now and her uplifted hand halted
the words on her lips.
This isn't Mrs. Bradly's apart
ment," she said. sweetly. Its on the
| floor elow-underneath this one!"
He stared incredulously at her.
| ''Why-I couldn't have made such q
mistake" he said, helplessly.
Have you ever been to Mrs. Brad.
ly's apartments" asked Penelope.
"No-she described it to me and
gave me the key, and as the elevator
was not running I walked up. We're
all staying down at Breezehurst, and
we motored up for the theater-the
rest of the crowd are down at the
door In the car! BY Jove-how could
l make such a mistaken" He glanced
apprehensively at Penelope and then
at the writing desk, Uttered with let
tiers and packages from the pigeon
holes
you're awfully untidy," complained
Penelope, as she crossed the desk an6
tucked the letters back in their places
One envelope she held toward him;
he read the address and gave 1t back
1t was now his turn to redden.
IT don't know what to say, Miss
Farnum," he murmured, contritely
"You must think me silly to breal
into your rooms here and ransack YOU
desk and then accuse you Of being {
burglar! IL really didn't know wha
fool could make OF myself till thi:
night"
"You should feel encouraged" sale
Penelope, wickedly. you're really
doing very we'll, indeed"
An automobile horn brayed impa
tiently in the street below.
Il must go-they are waiting fo1
me, Miss Farnum. I'd like to bring
my sister upstairs to assure you tina
1t Is all mistake, you know"
But do believe you, Mr.. ~
Penelope floundered helplessly.
"Drayton-Jack Drayton," he said
II suppose you know my sister Pegg!
well?"
Yes, indeed-Peggy and arr
great friends-in fact I was going
| down to Breezehurst for the week
end"
"Was?" he repeated, anxiously.
II am going." corrected Penelope
demurely.
Then l can make my apologies al
over-1ts awfully funny, but l know
I've seen you before, Miss Farnum."
Peggy has my picture-we wer'
roommates at college,"
THE little violin GIRL" he said
dreamily; and then his face colore<
and he laughed boyishly Il always
liked that picture-but didn't recog
nize you in that disguised" =.
All Peggy said was a simple "Goot
night" but as he ratified down tn
stairs to the floor below he whistlet
softly to himself
And Penelope locked the door an,
went back to bed; but she slept neve
wink the whole night through. Morn
ing found her propped among her pill
lows with dreamy Blown eyes.
II shall take the pink evening
gown-it's the most becoming frocl
I've got How foolish of me to hav
thought he looked like burglar. Why
he's splendid!"