The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-27

weapon OF OeleuS078u0 COulU uOI 81
upon the fellow empty handed-but
the dim light revealed nothing that
would answer her purpose.
Suddenly she remembered her
Uncle Warrens shotgun which for
years had hung upon the dining room
wall.
Its Just the thing" she thought. Il
don't suppose it's loaded but the chick
on thief won't know that"
Having softly unlocked the back
door. Margfiaret took the gun from its
rack, and tip-toed silently out OF the
house and towards the chicken house.
She was just In the nick OF time for
the intruder had raised a window. and
was in the act Of stepping through the
opening, or SO Margaret thought.
stop, or I'll shoot" she cried. -
she rushed forward. But in her q.
element she failed to notice IN empty
box which was In her path. Over II
she tripped. The gun dew ont Of her
hands, and she fell In . frightened. a.
most insensible heap to the ground.
The next moment she was being
supported by . strong masculine arm.
Ibid the gun 80 Off, she gaspsd.
struggling to . sitting posture -
full remembrance Of the ci5cum-
stances rushed in upon her dassd fao-
ultiss, and she realised that this man
must be no less = person than the
chicken thief.
Then she heard Freddie Lsbar's
kindly voice saying gravely. 1T 10
lucky for you, Margaret. that the gun
wasn't prepared for business"
"Freddie!" she gasped. sinking back
into the shelter Of the protecting arm
again. After all she felt more diszy
than she had realized. I'm 30 glad
It's you"
Freddie was glad. too. and he let It
be known In way Margaret could
not misunderstood II she had wanted
TO-
How did you come here. and how
did you know 1t was |. and did the
chicken thief get away?" she finally
asked all In a breath.
Your voice gave you away when
you threatened to shoot" Freddie
chuckled happily. for although he had
not proposed again he knew there was
now no need of his doing SO. "Of
course knew you were visiting your
aunt and intended looking you up
In the morning anyway. Your mother
told me where you were. But guess
I'm the only chicken thief that's been
here tonight. though didn't know
about there being any chickens till a
moment ago. ! suppose you have been
hearing about that chicken thief with
the red auto, but he's been caught
you see. came down today to see
Jack Trently safely married. found
his chauffeur had cleared out. and as
there were no end Of things to be seen
to ! volunteered to drive the machine
for him. I've been making the old car
hum all day. I'd just taken the happy
couple to the railway station. and was
bringing the car back to Jacks faith.
er's place, when not being very famil.
lar with the streets, | must have got
pretty well mixed up. went as
slowly, as | could, watching for pos.
sible familiar landmarks, and when I
got here thought Id reached the
place. These oldfashioned houses do
seem all to have been built from one
plan. As everything was In darkness.
| thought | wouldn't disturb anyone,
but would 90 and open up the garage
before drove the car In. I found the
door locked, but I tackled the window.
Id found, though. that I'd made a
thrilling mistake Just as you appeared
On the scene"
I'm so glad you weren't the chicken
thief" Margaret sighed contentedly.