Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-12-12
A
DONATION
By OLIVER J. LARNED

taken. You wouldn't nave the coolneSS
to save yourself"
II wouldn't mind trying it just once"
"I'n give you an inducement. I'll bet
you a hundred you won't go into the
house Of some eminently respectable
family-whom you don't know, mind
you-and rob them Of some article"
/ That's just the kind Of job I'D hike
to try. The danger in it would make It
fearfulIy interesting"
And If you got caught it would give
you an excellent opportunity to show
your presence of mind"
so it would. think I'll so you."
Here's my check. Well put the
stakes in Hawkins hands"
This dialogue occurred between Dick.
Thurston and Ned ChamberIin at a
club. aud the next night Chamberlin in
evening dress sailed forth to burglar
lie a gentleman's dwelling. He walked
slowly up an aristocratic avenue, and.
selecting a house midway between two
street lamps and standing well back in
shadow, he entered the yard and, TAX
ing the parts Of burglars jimmy from
his side pocket, began to screw them
together in order to secure the length
Of handle required for leverage. Then,
mounting side porch. he pried up a,
window and entered room.
He stood listening for awhile. but,
hearing no sound, began to explore. A
faint light from without barely en-
abled him to move without stumbling
against anything. and he got his hand
on large uncovered table. Suspect
ing be was in drawing room, he was
hunting for the sideboard, when there
was sudden burst of light. A young
| lady stood at the door Of the room.
with her finger on an electric button
She appeared astonished. not at find
ing some one in the room, but some
one in evening costume.
Chamberlin braced himself for the
encounter 1t was his right, under the
| provisions Of the bet. to tell any story
he pleased, and he decided to tell the
true one. ,.- -...s '..
II beg pardon for the trespass," he
said, ''but am sure-that is, If you are
woman of the world shall have
your sympathy after you have heard
the reason for my being here. Last
night at the - club bet friend
a hundred dollars that would bur-.
glarize dwelling, bringing him some
stolen article to prove the robbery.
If you will permit me to take away
spoon will be happy to donate my
winnings to any charity you may
suggest"
The girl by this time had regained
her composure, for Chamberlin spoke
softly and did not seem one to be
afraid Of Nevertheless she consider.
! ed him to be one Of those villains who
dress themselves like gentlemen for
the purpose of aiding them to hood
wink whoever they may meet. She
pretended TO believe his story and. 60
| ing to sideboard. opened drawer and
took out silver spoon with the family
| initial letter on it. This she tossed
on the dining table and stood waiting
for him to withdraw. He saw by the
pailor on her face and other signs
that she was badly frightened, and he
felt pang at having caused her an
! noyance. So instead Of going at once
he stopped Sto reassure her. Taking
card from his pocket and pencil.
he asked her to what institution he
should send a donation. She was not
especially interested in any and for
| moment could not think Of any. While
she was trying to do so an elderly
gentleman. with gray mustache, STEP
! ped into the room. .....
The girl turned paler still. IT, that
were possible, fearing that the story
would not go down with the new
conner and there would be trouble.
Uncle" she said, this gentleman
has made a bet that he would rob this
house"
"Indeedr' said the uncle quietly.
ayes, at the - club. He is to win
| 500 and give it to any charity l may
suggest"
"a hundred dollars! That's no price
for a gentleman burglar to pay for the
privilege of robbing house. He
might have got away with 5000 or
$4,000 worth of property. Couldn't
you make It $1,000, sir?
Chamberlin was very rich. but rich
men don't like to part with their mon
ey any better than poor men. He said
| he might double the amount Of his
winnings. The gentleman stepped to
a telephone In the hall and called for
police station.
ChamberIin was cornered. He called
out that he would make his donation
| $1,000.
II have called the police" said the
gentleman; 1T will now cost $1,000"
"Done!" cried Chamberlin, fearing
that before he could assent the price
of his experiment would so up another
! thousand.
"'All right" remarked the gentleman.
Never mind the police. Have you
hlonL- nhacl- In vour n0cket Sir9 If