Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1911-11-17

take, ana struck across the lawn to-
wards the small building, formerly
carriage house, in which Aunt Sophia
kept her pets, an ordinary hen house
being considered by her not good
enough for them.
Margaret realized that if anything
was done it must be done quickly. 1t
would not take the man long to open
one of the windows
Her first thought was to telephone
for the police. Then she saw the fu-
tility of that move. Come as quick
ly as it was possible for mortals to
come the fellow would have ample
time to disappear, red auto, chickens
and all, before they arrived
There was streak of fighting blood
in Margaret's veins, and it came to
the surface now, nearly obliterating
her natural feminine nervousness.
She looked about her for some
weapon OF defense-she could not go
upon the fellow empty handed-but
the dim light revealed nothing that
would answer her purpose.
Suddenly she remembered her
Uncle Warren's shotgun which for
years had hung upon the dining room
wall
It's just the thing" she thought. 81
don't suppose it's loaded but the chick
en- thief won't know that"
Having softly unlocked the back
door, Margfaret 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, as
she rushed forward But in her ex-
citement she failed to notice an empty
box which was in her path. Over it
she tripped. The gun few out of her
hands, and she fell in a frightened, al
most insensible heap to the ground.
The next moment she was being
supported by strong masculine arm.
Did the gun go OFF," she gasped,
struggling to a sitting posture as
full remembrance Of the circum-
stances rushed in upon her dazed fac
ulties, and she realized that this man
must be no less a person than the
chicken thief.
Then she heard Freddie Lebar's
kindly voice saying gravely, 1T is
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 dizzy
than she had realized. I'm so glad
it's you"
Freddie was glad, too, and he let it
be known in way Margaret could
not misunderstood if she had wanted
to.
How did you come here, and how
did you know it was l, and did the
chicken thief get away?" she finally
asked all in 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 l knew you were visiting your
aunt and l 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 l didn't know
about there being any chickens till
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. l found
his chauffeur had cleared out, and as
there We're 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 we'll mixed up. | went as
slowly as could, watching for pos
sible familiar landmarks, and when l
got here | thought I'd reached the
place. These old-fashioned houses do
seem all to have been built from one
plan. AS everything was in darkness,
| thought | wouldn't distul anyone,
but would go and open up the garage
before drove the car in found the
door locked, but | tackled the window.
Id found, though, that I'd made
thrilling mistake just as you appeared
on the scene"
I'm SO glad you weren't the chicken
thief" Margaret sighed contentedly.