New Britain herald., 1915-12-06
What Happened on the Evcntful Morning of the First Days
 nntinU

l membered having a similar sensation years before when, as a child, walk ened on Christmas morning. Then I reVelled in the prospect of toys and bonbons and Christmas tree. This morning I was happy in the anticipa- tion of a long, delightful ramble in the country With Dicky. It would be our first whole days outing together since our marriage.
 l slipped my hand under my pillow and pulled out my small electric torch, one of Dicky's gifts Pressing the buttOn it's light struck tho face of the tiny clock which stood on tho stand near my bed. Six o'clock. I did not need to get up for another hour!
 Shifting my pillows to a different position, I tried to go to sleep again. But it was no use. I was like a child in my excitement over the days pleasure. I tossed and turned until was sure it was ' o'clock. Then I flashed my little light again. It was ten minutes after six!
 I can dress very quickly, so that really there was no excuse for getting up so early. But if there was no sleep to be had, there was no use in lying in bed awake. so I resolved to get up and read until it was time to rouse Dicky.
 A terrifying thought came to me, hastening my movements. Suppose it were raining or showing or had turned cold in the night so that we could not go! had not realized how much I was counting on this trip until the possi- blity of not being able to take it came to my mind.
 A Startled Katie.
 Hurriedly I drew on my stockings and my furred bedroom slippers. Then I put on my heavy bathrobe, knotting it's cords securely, and, throwing a scarf over my head, tip toed my way to the kitchen. Moving as quietly as I could. I unlocked the outside door and stepped out on the porch. The air was delightful, even with the chill of the early dawn up- on it. I had never experienced such l weather in January.
 There was no hint of dampness, 1 such as threatening rain or snow 1 would bring. I drew a long breath of 1 relief. The weather was perfect. We 1 were sure of our outing.
 The porch was very dark. I fum- 1 bled for quite a minute before found 1 the door knob. As l pushed open the 1 door, I was startled by a long, high 1 pitched shriek from Katie.
 "Oh, help!. Help! There's burglars getting in. Help! Oh, oh!''
 I heard Dicky's feet strike the 1! floor of his bedroom and come run ming I turned on the electric switch as I entered the kitchen, and the three of us met in the middle of the floor
 l<Ir'S ton held disgust and relief curiously mingled.
 why did you scream, katic?' asked calmly, for I had realized the cause of Ter fright.
 ooh. Misses Graham, I joost woke ID, and I hear somebody outside on the porch Den hear door go squeak, and I holler and jump, I so fraid. Where dot burglar go?' "I am the only burglar, Katie,' said. smiling. CT went out on the porch to see if it were raining or snowing I did not intend to frighten you.'
 Dicky Pullman Porter. To an outsider the picture we pre- ! sented must have been highly ludi- l crous. Dcky had rushed out in pa 1 jamas Katie had on her pink flan- 1 nellette nightgown, while my bath robe and slippers completed the col l lection of bedroom attire. | Katie was the first to realize her | appearance. She gave one frightened glance at her attire. then with a hys | terical giggle vanished into her bed i room.
 Dicky gave whimsical glance at his pajamas
 "Since I don't have to grapplc with a murderous burglar, I suppose I might as well put on some clotnes,' he said. ''What on earth are you up so early for?'
 "I couldn't sleep, DicSy. ] woke at o'clock, and I couldn't make my self sleep after that. Then I thought I'd see what the weather was. I was so afraid it might be bad so we could not go.'
 "You must be quite interested in this little trip of ours.'
 "Oh, Dicky, you can't know how am counting on it.'
 time I can"
 "I know you will. What shall I wear?''
 Anything, SC it's warm and loose and comfortable. Be sure to wear sen- ] sible snoes."
 'I have pair that I know will do. They need brushing, though
 Leave them outside your door," Dicky gayly commanded. "I'm the best imitation Pullman porter you I know"
 "Ill give them to you now and you can do them while I take my bath. Will that be all right?" i Sure. Anything to oblige."
 I, bathrobe wrapped tightly around me, I al ,i1 tyyo nf