Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-14

| AWOkE Tuesday morning before day.
nght with feeling that something pleas.
ant was going 10 happen remembered
| having similar sensation years before
| when, as child. wakened on Christmas
morning Then reveed IN the prospect
~ toys and bonbons and Christmas tree
| This morning J was happy IN the anticipa-
tion Of long. delightful rambIe In the
country with DicRy II would be our nrst
whole days outing together since our mar
raRe.
| slipped my hand under my pillow and
| pulled out my small electric torch, one NJ
! DckyH Eifta. Pressing the button liz light
struck the face Of tho tiny clock which
! stood on the stand near my bed six O'Clock
did not need 10 get up for another hour
Shifting my pillow 10 a different position.
| ! tried to go 10 sleep again But II was
no use. was like child In my excite
ment over the days pleasure. tossed
and turned ur1il 1 was sure II was o'clock.
Then flashed my little light again--it was
ten minutes after
can dress very quickly. 30 that really
| there was no excuse for getting up 80 early.
But II thoro was no aecp 10 be had. there
was no use lying In bed awake. 70 J re-
solved 70 get M and read until II was time
to rouse Dicky.
4 terrifying thought camo TO me- hasten
ing my movements. Suppose u were rain
ing or showing or had turned cold In the
nlEht, no that We could not go I had not
realized how much ! was counting ON this
trip until tho possibility ~ not being able
10 take II came 10 my mind
a STARTLED KATIE
Hurriediy I drew on my stockings and my
furTed bedroom slippers Then put on my
heavy bnthrobe, knottlnR It's cords securely.
and throwing scarf over my head, tptoe9
Ia. INnN M IaFl lNF
aH ! could, | unlocked the outside door and
stepped out on the porch. The air was de-
lightful even with the chill Of the early
dawn upon t. I had never experienced
such weather In January.
There was no hint Of dampneRs, such M
threatening rain or snow would bring. |
drew long breath OF relief The weather
was perfect We were sure Of our outing.
The porch was very dark fumbled for
quite n minute before 1 found the door
knob As | pushed open the door | was
startled by long, high-pitched shrlok from
Katie.
"oh, help Help There's burglars in
IIelpl oh. OH
heard Dlcbys feet strike tho floor OF his
bedroom and come running. turned on
tho electric switch I entered the kitchen
and the three Of us met In the middle Of the
floor
'.What In bIazesl" DlckyB exclamation
held dlBRuat ana relict cuflouAlN mingled
why did you scream. katicg' | asked,
calmly, for had realized the cause OF her
fright.
"oh. MissIs Graham, ! joost wake up
and hear somebody outside on porch. Den
| hear door 40 squeak, and ! holler and
lump | 80 'fraid, Where dot burglar
go2''
"I am tho only burglar, Katie" said
smiling. II went out on the porch To see II
II were raining or showing. ! did not In
tend to frighten you
DICKY-PULLMAN PORTER
To an outsider the picture we presented
must have been highly ludicrous. Dlcky
had rushed out In painmas. Katie had on
her pink nRnnelette nightgown, while my
bathrobe and slippers completed the col
lection Of bedroom attire. Katie was the
nrst to realize her appearance She gave
one frightened glance Rt her attire. then.
with hysterical gigge, vanished into her
bedroom.
Dcky gave a whimsical glance at his
paJamas.
"SInce / don't have to Rrapple with a
murderous burglar. suppose | might ns
well put on some clothes" he said what
on earth are you M so early for?'
81 couldn't sleep, Dicky. I woke at 6
o'clock and | couldn't make myself sleep
after that. Then thought I'd see what the
weather was ! was no afraid IL might be
bad 80 we couldn't 60"
You must be quite Interested in this
little trip Of ours2"
"Oh. Dicly, you can't know how / am
counting on H."
Well, I'll try to give you the best time
can"
II know you VIII What shall wear?"
Anything, 80 it's warm and loose and