The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1919-03-07
THE BURGLAR
A
BY GERALD ST. ETIENNE.

working without a stop at her type
writer. Not once had she raised her
eyes from her notes. AS she finished
the last letter she put it with the 9TH
ers and placed it on the managers
desk, ready for his signature in the
morning. She looked at her wrist
watch, and discovered that she had
finished sooner than she. had expected.
She sat down at her desk again and
fingered the keys of her machine: She
was tired, but it seemed good to feel
their touch again after being away
from them so long.
Night work the second day was
record for her. The salary was large
one, however, and it would not hurt
her to do little extra work after the
three months vacation she had had.
The thought of the vacation was
pleasant one. For eight years she had
worked and saved for that one winter
vacation at Long Beach. 1t would have
been worth while tC have saved TWEEN
ty-eight years, she told herself, as she
thought of the glorious time she had
had. 1t had been exciting from the
start, but the real pleasure had not
come until after she had met Oliver
Law. 1t seemed now that she had
known him all her life. In just
month he would be back home, and
then it wouldn't be long before she
would give up office work forever, she
felt sure of it.
The gloomy stiffness of the Office
brought Katherine back to earth. She
had been building castles for half an
hour. The realization that she was the
only person In that vast Office building
was rather chilling one. The thought
of the dark corridor she had to pass
through on her way out, at that late
hour, caused her to put the cover on
her machine and hasten into her coat.
She was just slipping on her rubbers
when she heard a sound outside in the
corridor. Her heart gave jump and
she caught her breath. A slight cough
told her that someone was there. A
shuttle of feet told her that it was
man. The door opened suddenly.
"Well," Katherine said as coolly as
she could. 81 have my hand on the
telephone"
The man faced her in surprise
katherine" he cried, 'what are you
doing here?"
! "Oliverr' There was surprise and
horror in Katherine's tone. "You a
burglar!'
''But, my dear" he began.
"Stopl Not another wordi Don't
dare call me your dear. How dare
you come here to rob this offiee?"
He laughed. The laugh seemed to
kindle spark of primitive rage in
Katherine.
s'You wretch! Don't you dare taught"
she cried. Don't you speak another
word. / will not listen to you. The
sound of your voice will make me feel
nothing but repulsion for you. To
think that cared for crook like YOU
To think that I thought I loved you
and you allowed me to think it! You
are burglar, common burglar, who
came her to rob this Office.
II would not really do such thing"
he said. Il was only testing you. I
love you, Katherine, no matter what
your opinion is of me-
''Love me? Then why have you done
this?" Her tone had changed, her an
ger almost disappeared.
Perhaps I was driven to it," he
suggested This is my first offense."
Driven to it, she asked tremulous-
". Surely man does not have to be
dishonest. Oh. Oliver, We're you too
extravagant this winter9 Why didn't
] think of that? You spent LOT of
money on me, and allowed you TO do
it because I thought you were rich"
ut would be awful to spend a term
in prison." he muttered wistfully.
Il will not call the police" She
pushed the telephone away from her.
Promise me this will be your last at
tempt at burglary"
Il promise" he declared. earnestly.
"Can / see you homer
Il am too nervous to. go through the
corridor" she said, doubtfully. you
can see me safely that far"
He did not leave her until they
had reached her boarding house. She
would not allow him to kiss her in
parting.
There were traces of the trying
night in Katherine's face the next
morning. She was dazed when she
arrived at the Office, but as she start
ed her work she banished the feeling
with an effort. Shortly after ten she
heard the outer door open and no
ticed the other members of the staff
glancing in the direction of the person
who had entered. As she faced around
Katherine could not hold back her
cry Of surprise. "Oliverl" He was
coming toward her, but the manager
intercepted him.
When did you get back. Mr.. Law?'
she heard the manager ask. as in a
dream.
LAST night. dropped into the
Office on my way TO see If there were
any letters that had not been for
warded to me-" Oliver said, as he
pushed his way past.
II know now she said before he
could speak. "You are the junior part
ner. oh. Oliver, what an idiot you
must think me. ] must have been