The Press., 1917-04-05
My Burglary H Had Forredching
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By ELINOR MARSH

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 am of an artistic temperament From my earliest girlhoOd had loved beautiful scenes. I took to drawing pictures early and in time became a water color sketcher. In summer time I drove around in a vehicle called a rockaway, drawn by an old horse that had been in my family a long while and fin whom had every confidence.
 At night would sometimes stop at a hotel, sometimes at a farmhouse, and occasionally would place my blankets on grassy ground and spend the night in bivouac.
 One evening when was some miles from a town. which I expected to reach before dark, Bob went lame. Looking about for shelter-for could not get on with q lame hOrse-I espied a short distance ahead of me, perched on a ledge, n cottage. It was as artistic a piece of architecture as I ever saw, with its grounds and vines growing over it. Indeed, the tout ensemble constituted a thing of beauty. If l could only he permitted to spend the night there would be delighted.
 managed to get Bob to the gateway of the place and up a short winding road leading to the house. was dis appointed in not seeing any one about, and as drew near it occurred to me that the place was unOccupied. The blinds were not closed and there was nothing to indicate that the house was empty. What was it that told me that the place was deserted?
 Leaving Bob standing in the road way, I went to the house and rapped on the front door with brass knocker. It did not seem to me. if there had been any one within, that those knocks would have sounded so hollow. I listen ed, but there was no indication of any one stirring. Going around to the rear I failed to see any indication of a liv- ing being. There were no chickens. no dog, not even a lonely cat Only a few flowers in beds near the house that I judged grew without being cultivated. There was a wOOdshed and some wood in 1t, but plenty of room for Bob in case l should have to leave him there.
 Looking in at window, saw d library with a fine broad fireplace and among the furniture a large lohnge The sash was locked. and I went to other windows, but found them locked also. A trellis led to an upper window. It looked easy to climb, and I went up it and found the sash unlocked. went into bedroom and down q staircase. The front door was locked and no key, but I opened q side door by turning the latch
 I could understand the fascination of burglary so interested was I in appro- priating the premises to my use for the night. There was a zest in temporarily owning this place, so beautiful and yet so desOlate, which was enhant ed by my having to break into 1t and learn what there was suited to my necessi- ties.
 The next thing was to unharness Bob and give him his supper. Then went into the house with my lunch box. in which always kept something and in which now fortunately had enough AC S1hAoA9 ny &HREAAAE@ 4hCAE WEEt cupbOards in which eatables might be stored. but they were locked. After eating lighted a lamp in the library and looked over the books. It was evi- dent that whoever had filled these shelves was a we'll educated and intel hgent person. I have never before come upon a library in which every book had a value. And what surprised me most was that some of the books were up to date. I read till quite late, then, throwing myself on the lounge. put out the lamp and went to sleep.
 On awakening in the morning I was astOnished to detect the odor of coffee. What did 1t mean? Was the house. after gil. occupied? Had the occupants returned late? I arose and went into the dining room. The table was set for breakfast. but for only one person. Hurrying on, entered the kitchen. On the range a kettle was slmmering. and there was a coffee pot that emitted the odor. X toast rack stood on the range, filed, and couple of eggs were ready for boiling.
 I started to find whoever had come in, to apologize for my burglary, and. not finding any one on the ground floor. went cautiously upstairs. The bedroom doors were open as I had left them the night before. but no one was in any of them The house was as free from any person except myself as it was when broke into it.
 I went downstairs again, looked about me and listened There was no sound save the simmering kettle in the Kitchen.
 Was I in my right mind? Was l asleep and dreaming? Was I enaeting n play for a movie show7
 But the odor of the coffee, the re O. the toast and the eggs.