Putnam patriot., 1914-08-28

V Ht ahN lHM AOWh tnE SttEE MM she splashed into
 puddle an d spoiled a shoe shine An obstinate lock of hair kept coming down from under her helmet.
 Overcome with a sense of her un- fitness to ornament the highways, she began to maneuver into the shelter of every shadow When a low-hanging branch dashed off her helmet and fear fully mussed her hair, she decided to journey to the next signal-station by way of the alleys.
 For half a block she trudged down one of these alleys where the black ness was almost as unrelieved as in a cave. In the dark she quickly be- came again what we are accustomed to describe as @manful."
 A faint noise, something like the snapping of a piece of kindling wood, caught her ear!
 It was followed by the unmistak- able tinkle of bits of glass dropping on stone. Mamie paused and listened calmly.
 Five minutes later came some more tinkling of glass and the thump of two heels on the pavement The po- liceweman pressed button and the burglar was illuminated as if by sud den spotlight He scarcely needed to be told to throw up his hands Mamie dexterously acquired his revolver, his tools and jingling bundle in canvas bag.
 Then she marched him on down the alley and out in the glare of an arc light. They were at the edge of q little park The alarm box. toward which the policewoman was headed, was in a shelter house straight ahead. When they reached the door of it she commanded:
 Step ini"
 She followed him, switching on the electric lights.
 Holy mackereli" the burglar gasped "A woman copl Pinched by a skirti"
 Put up your wristsl" she ordered Not that way! Like this!" She laughed You've never been arrested before?"
 Never by a woman," he agreed.
 "Cut that stuff" she interrupted testify. Tor I'll paste you one over the dome."
 Did any one ever tell you that that uniform sets you off handsomely ?"
 "Not"
 Well, it does, just the same though it would make most women look as ugly as clay bank"
 Pm sure it's very kind of you to say SO"
 "I mean it." he insisted. "I wouldn't take the trouble to say so if l didn't. l honestly admire you"
 Lord The nerve of the man!" she sighed. What blarney!"
 "Blarney, nothing What am I to do? If you were in my place, and knew you had only a few more min utes of freedom, and you found your self alone in the park with handsome young lady, wouldn't you improve the sEining moment? The answer is 'Yes!'"
 The big blue eyes surveyed him hungrily
 Billy" she cried. 'I'm plain as a brick wall. Why, I've never even had a proposall' The burglar gasped astonishment How the devil could that be? Un- less you wouldn't let them?"
 I'd let them soon enough" she as- sured him. Nobody ever wanted to-" The burglar made a fine figure ao he drew himself up like soldiey about to salute superior. But as he tried to straighten his arms the hand cuffs jingled The policewoman vol unteered to take them off.
 Don't" he protested. "I deserve them. al right. l don't ask unfair faVurs."
 Ser embarrassment was extreme, amounting almost to nervousness. T was about to say" he continued, that you're braver and franker and more handsome than any other woman l ever met. And if you've never had a proposal you're about to hear one now. I
 I'm not a crook. You guessed that right enough when you put the hand cuffs on me. I'm an excitement-crazy ! adventurer. making a fool of myself l on bet. A lot of women would like to have me. I don't mind telling you so. If you'll shut up about this little escapade and let me sneak away. I'll give you my written word of honor | that I'll marry you. My name" Swift and straight the policewom ans club descended on his head He sank forward limp and gasping | Her cheeks burning with indignation Mamie turned her back, dashed across | the room and rang in an alarm or | the Gamewell box.
 That done, she knelt on the floor her eyes brimming with tears, and pillowed the burglars head on hel | lap.
 "Beast," she sobbed- He tried tc bribe mel"