Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-10-31
The BURGLAR

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room on the first floor through the
open window.
A young man was sitting at a desk
covered with books and papers leaning
back In his chair lost In thought. Sud
denly he sat up. opened a drawer and
took out revolver. He looked at IT
a moment and then pressed 1t against
his temple. ~.
At the same moment the man In the
tree jumped into the room through the
open window. The young man turned
to him.
What do you want?" #
MY name Is Hook and am q burg
lar. l am rather new in my profession.
SO l could not help making q noise
when | came"
The young man stared at him In 81
lence. Then he said: 81
Il still have three hours to spare. Sit
down and let US have talk. You don't
look like an ordinary burglar. Help
yourself to a cigar and tell me what
brought you here
Hook shrugged his shoulders.
MY story cannot possibly be OF any
interest to you, Herr Halter"
How do you know my manner"
Lost His Fortune.
by & mere accident. But what can
I tell you about myself? | was once
rich, but began to gamble and lost
my whole fortune. For while made
a living as an actor, but then sank
lower and lower, until today, when !.
for the first time, made up my mind
to steal. You seem to have chosen the
more honorable evil of committing sui
eide"
Il do not know whether it is more
honorable or not" said the young man.
Imagine that you are In love. Your
sweetheart Is beautiful and in every
way far too good for you. You have
begun to gamble. You sit at the
gambling table every night and you al.
ways lose. Your fortune Is gone. you
get into debt, which you see no way
of paying. What else can you do but
end your miserable life?"
Halter had barely finished talking
when there was a knock at the door
and tall, broad.shouldered man en-
tered.
Good evening"" he said, shaking
Haller's hand. Il saw there was light
here and thought would give you re-
veuge for last night. l beg your par
don," he said, turning to Hook. my
name is Kerzien." ,.'
1T is pleasure to meet you," said
Hook. and there came strange CLEAN
into his eyes. Halter stood lost in
thought for a moment Then he said:
"All right. still have two hours and
may as well use them playing poker as
any other way"
KerZien produced deck Of cards
from his pocket and the play began.
Halter lost continually, and several of
his l. o. US found their way into Ker-
Zien's pocket. Suddenly Hook tore the
cards out of Kerzien's hand. held the
revolver which he had taken from the
desk close to Kerziens head and said:
you are playing false"
Kerzien was about to jump up, but
pressure OF the cold muzzle and con-
temptuous command from Hooks lips
held him motionless in his seat.
Marked Cards.
"Will you please examine the cards,
Mr.. Haller?"
Halter took the cards and examined
them carefully.
\ h@ ~
last.
What do you say to that, Herr Ker-
zien?" asked Hook. Rather an un-
fortunate coincidence, Ell! Look at
me! Perhaps you recognize an old
acquaintance. Ten years ago under
another name you robbed me Of my
whole fortune. Today you have played
your last game of cards. You have
won Herr Haller's whole fortune. !
hear. Now make out check for the
whole amount, or Herr Halter will ring
up the police. There are plenty Of
proofs 's-a~2 a..
Kerziene glared at him. Then he
slowly took out his check book and
fountain pen, made out the check and
was permitted to go.
"Too late! Too late!" groaned Hal
Ter as the door had closed behind the
gambler. He looked at his watch,
which showed two o'clock Il am very
grateful to you, Herr Hook, but it is
of no use any more. II this had only
happened last night. Now It is too
late. She has come home from the
ball and has read my letter. II don't
shoot myself now she will think am
coward"
You need not despair" said Hook.
"You are still alive and there is no
harm done. Perhaps she has not yet
received your letter."
Halter shrugged his shoulders.
Then you compel me to tell what l
would rather have kept to myself. l
made my debut as burglar In the
home Of your sweetheart. had bare
ly entered the apartment when
heard steps. hid myself. saw a serv-
ant enter and lay letter on the desk
had never before opened another
persons letter, but strange power
compelled me to do So l read the
name Kerzien. and as read the letter
through knew that every moment
was, precious. The rest you know.
Here is your letter."
Halter took the letter and tore it
to pieces. His face beamed with hap
piness as he took Hooks hand and
shook it.-Chicago American.
helpful Hints. 81 .-r