The Imitation Burglar

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 80, 28 December 1940, Page 12

The Imitation Burglar

(Original, by Peter (It!), Haumoauu.) ( 77ns teas « prize-winning Christmas story, which was written last year bn Peter of Jlaumoanu. It did not yet printed at the- time, and even though Peter has long since left th e I’ut/e. we are sure that you will ' enjoy this folly tale which she wrote when she was lb.) OOBIN lav tense‘and still in bed and listened. She was sure she heard R footsteps in Tex’s room. Quickly she crept out of bed and stole into her broU Hi'r’eves soon became accustomed to the darkness, and sure enough—there was a shadowy figure moving around the room! Kobin held her kreata as he reached the end of Lex’s bed and stretched out Ins hand for tne stocking, which wasn’t a stocking but a pillow-case-—for lex had Ing ideas. The light of the moon shone on the figure tor a moment as lit bent > v the stocking and Robin gasped with dismay. It was a man, but certainly "°‘ "Tex 1 quick* A burglar!” Robin cried. At the sound of her voice the man leapt like a fawn and ran to the door. Tex scrambled out of bed. “Flo’s 'roue There.” Robin pointed to the door. Then the chase began. They went down Hie passage, through the breakfast room, into the sitting-room and up the stairs. They were gaining on him f-ist and halfway up they could hear his breath coming and (more o ten) <‘ohig like the rise and fall of the waves on the beach. At the top Tex reached out a hand and grabbed the foot ahead of them with a trium Pl ‘ a Tlmvictim was eaught and down he came. Like an avalanche he sped and gathered up Robin and Tex on his journey. On and on they went, down and down until at last, with a loud bump, they landed at the bottom. Robin scrambled off the burglar none too gently. Tex was less fortunate in disentangling himself, but the thief was least fortunate of all—acting as bumper f ° l Light flooded the room and Robin gasped with horror as the man rose with muttered exclamations. It was Uncle Clarence, a plump, pompous gentleman who had come to spend a quiet Christmas on the farm. “Robin! Tex! What does this mean? It was mothei. There were tedious explanations and apologies to follow ' "What was Uncle Clarence doing in my room, anyway, demanded .Lex, after Uncle had retreated to his room with many injured remarks. _ "He had a little gift he was going to leave with the things Santa Claus 1C “ There was an expressive silence. "I wonder if Santa has been yet, anywav.” Robin remarked at last. ‘ "1 don’t know; lie may be late.” "How do vou know, mother?” ... . , ~ "He sent me word. There isn’t any snow tor his reindeer, mother exPliU “There wasn’t anv snow last year, either.” Robin retorted. "Hasn’t he got an aeroplane yet?” Tex asked disappointedly. "What’s all this?” demanded a gruff voice, before mother could reply, and there was Santa, standing in the doorway. .... This time mother explained while the children watched anxiously to hear " ba -’Disgraceful '’Disgraceful,” he muttered. "Now go to bed and to sleep, or I won’t leave’you anything at all!” he said grimly, but a twinkle in his eye baek into bed willingly enough and once more S ' |U "l in<e n Christmas Eve,” Robin decided. She chuckled. "Didn’t Uncle for he had a big hole in the toe of his Slipper—just like daddy’s." Robin murmured sleepily. just. as the dream man carried her off.