The Prescott daily news., 1911-12-20

 the stockings were to be hung.
 Well. Amabel," her father was say ing, what did Romeo have to say to- night?
 The reply was sniff from Amabel, which Andrew interpreted as being suggestion to her father that he mind his own affairs.
 Amabel's mother asked.
 "Yes."
 Did he like it?' He never looked at it."
 Well, I must say! In my time a young man would have shown more gallantry.'
 Not a Hillington, mother" MT. Futile said. They never think of what to say until week later"
 Andrew grated his teeth. This was true, but not pleasant.
 Well you couldn't expect him to tell how he liked 1t when he hadn't seen it." Amabel said, stoutly. And 1t wouldn't have been polite for him to look at it right there-besides,
 
 shouldn't have given it to him to- night
 No" her mother said. That made it look as though you expected some thing from him."
 Andrew was standing in the dark ness, in the middle of the room. He wished the family would quit talking especially as they were talking of him-and go to bed and allow him to drop his gift into Amabers stocking. He did not dare to move, for fear of running into some furniture. He hardly dared breathe.
 Suddenly from down street came the clang of gong. Also the chatter of horses hoofs on the frozen high way and the rumble of wheels. The noise increased as the horses drew near, to subside and cease in front of the house. The Tuttles heard it.
 Must be a fire, or the patrol wag- on," MT. Futile exclaimed, throwing open the room where Andrew stood. Andrew darted behind bookcase just in time. MT. Futile went through the room to the hall and opened the front door. Mrs. Futile followed him, de- spite Amabels remonstrances that she would catch cold.
 There was the sound of hurried footsteps up the walk Whats the matter?' MT. Futile asked
 Where is he?" said a voice.
 "Where's wbo?"
 "Patrolman Jones telephoned tt7t he saw man breaking into your house."
 Andrew shivered with alarm. This was a predicament. To be arrested as burglar, to be carted off to jail, without a chance to explain. He peered from behind the bookcase and saw Amabel dreamily hanging her | stocking. He swiftly came from his hiding place, and silently hurried to her side Taking the package from his pocket, he whispered: i "Amabel! I-I forgot to tell you | love you, and here's my proposal, and | the engagement ring, tool" The mere fact that he had appeared thus mysteriously at her side did not appeal to Amabel. She did not think of that at all. She said:
 "Oh, Andrew!"
 And she then allowed herself tC fal. into his arms. That there was much excited COZ versation in the hall, that men were running around the house and peerine into dark corners in the basement ano in the upper rooms was something ot which Andrew and Amabel were en tirely unaware. Mir and Mrs. Futile came back after the officers had goue away utterly bewildered. Even thev had been so excited that the presence of Andrew struck them as nothing un. usual. Amabe's shy but delighted an. nouncement of her engagement was re. ceived merrily, however. In fact, father and mother Futile and the ] young people got so deep in their ! plans for the future that they almost | forgot the incident until suddenly MT ! Futile said:
 'I wonder who the dickens that burglar was, anyhow"
 Tn bet 1t was mel" Andrew stammered.
 Well. I must fix that window tomor row. Mir. Futile decided. E,=z--sA~%