The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1913-01-01
CAPTURING
A BURGLAR
And What Happened After
the HoIdup.
BY HARRIET LemMIe SMITH.

Scott sat on the step Of the guildhall
and famed himself with his hat.
Through the open door came the sound
of feminine voices. animated and
eager. The young mans eyes scanned
the landscape with something of visit
fulness In their depths. He had noticed
one or two pretty girls in the throng
of older women who were engineering
the church supper, but apparently they
were all too busy for conversational
advances. lie reflected with sense
of injury that his visit was opening
tamely.
Chester 1t was his aunt's brisk
voice. and Scott rose with alacrity. En-
ergetic Aunt Anne liked to see people
busy. In her summons he read prom
Use of occupation and welcomed 1t re-
CARELESS of its nature. Nor was he
destined to be disappointed.
This Is my nephew, Mr.. Scott" said
Aunt Anne. addressing a group of la
dies, who acknowledged the introduc-
ton by collective smile. And he'll
be delighted to do any little errands
for u.s." she added generously. Now.
Mrs. Anderson. tell him about your
spoons"
Mrs. Anderson beamed gratefully on
the young man. I'm sure it's awfully
kind of you. Mr. Scott. You see. we're
short Of spoons. and want to send you
for mine. Do you know Fayette street?
Yes, 1t crosses Main ut right angles.
and my house Is yellow cottage on
the right. with woodbine over the
porch. You'll find the key under the
mat. Go straight through the hall into
the dining room. and the spoons are
in the left hand drawer of the side
board. It's just lovely of you to help
us out. Mr.. Scott"
The other ladies murmured assent,
and one or two of the younger flashed
appreclative glanjes in his direction
SCOTS spirits rose He promised a
speedy return and started on his er-
raid. rejecting as he went on the re-
freshing confidence Of community
which left its keys under the dco.
mats and permitted strangers to have
access to its homes.
He had no difficulty in finding the
yellow cottage. and the key was in its
place. lie made his way through the
silent hall into the dining room. and
here he EN- ountered his first check
The spoons were not in the drawe of
the sidebOard. In fact. they were moi
in the sideboard ut all. though he ran
sacked IL thoroughly to make sure
Opening the closet door. he was re-
warded by the sight of well stocked
silver chest. and he possessed himself
Of the spoons. promising himself Il
laugh ut the expense OF the owner of
the silver. whose memory was so unre
liable.
Hold up your hands,
The request came In tones whose de-
termination could not be mistaken. and
Scott spun ON his heel to find himself
facing Il revolver. Back Of the revolver
WIS II girl. She was II rather tall girl
with very white cheeks and nbsurdly
long lashes. She wore Il garden hat.
beneath which little tendri-like curls
festooned themselves about her fore
head. Under other circumstances Scott
would have voted her charming.
Hold up Your hands" said the girl
again. And Scott obeyed. rejecting
that 1t was better to humor her first
and explain afterward. The spoons in
his pocket seemed TO weigh ton. He
felt hot and ridiculous.
Your mother asked me- he began
The girl interrupted him. Il have
no mother. Your excuses will only
make bad matter worse"
Scott bit his lip. Absurd as the stu
alton was. it had II serious side. He
consistent with standing before II beau
tiful girl with his hands on II level with
his ears. II was requested to come
here by the lady of the house" he IN
sisted.
"Oh. indeed. Then perhaps you will
tell me her name"
Scott racked his brain. In the dis
tractlOn OF tnut Seneriil lhtrouucti"n
Mrs Anderson's name had failed to
imprint itself on his memory.
Il don't know her name" he ac-
knowledged. hut she Is u dark haired
woman. about forty-tive. | should say,
with good deal of color" He would
have gone further with his descrir
ton, but the young woman checked
him by gesture not to he misnnder
stood.
IL prefer to know no more OF your
preposterous fiction" she said wlther
ingly. Evidently you ARE moi M
shrewd as you think Yourself II hap
pens that am the lady of this house.
and am going to keep you right here
until my uncle comes"
Scott cursed his folly. Doubtless