The Newtown bee., 1897-07-09

sig of acquiescence and was thrown of
his guard. Its Just across
the flats and up the hill little
piece" he whispered, confdentially.
"They's lots of trees around in the back
yard. The cellar window goes up just
as slick, and you can see rows of things
in a kind of a but'ry. [ went in there
one day when the dog wasn't there"
Suddenly Selma started and a quick
suspicion flashed over her face DOG?
What you?" she demanded, "Joe An
dersen, you amt goin' to steal from the
-sup'rintendent's cellar, and take his
preserves and things?"
"What did I tell you?" said Jack
Davis, turning to Joe with disgust:
then obstinately to Selma; eyes, it's
that cellar-and we mean to clear out
everything we can get there. We don't
never get no jell. They're rich; let 'em
get some more"
but the dog" suggested Selma, with
faint hope. Hes awful fierce, anc
they keep him for watch dog"
Jack hesitated, and his face darkened
He was the leader, the most hardened
and daring among the recognized gang
of youthful thieves and "hard cases.
which inhabited the settlement. -"Nevel
you mind the dog" he muttered mean
ingly. He'll be took care Of"
There was an ominous silence after
this threat; then Selma looked full in
Jacks face, a great resolution hardening
in her own. Jack Davis she said
her voice trembling little, ''you know
how good the sup'rintendent's been tc
us that goes to the mission, and how he
come here to see me when | was sick
m all. He got your father work, too,
last winter, m you know how much he
thinks O. that dog. 1t goes out with his
babies and the nurse girl and with hin
when he takes a walk. He's worth q
| lot of money too. An you shan't touch
him, so" she went on, her anger rising
as she saw the obstinacy in the boys
face. "I'll 60 there myself, first, and
tell 'em to look out"
Another dire silence in the court at
this declaration. Selma and Jack
looked full In each others faces as il
measuring strength. Then the be
turned On his heel with grim,
ado it if you dare!" and stalked
away, accompanied by his own immedi-
ate friends and followers.
At seven o'clock Selma stood peering
out of her upper window. The night
was very dark, and it was beginning to
rain. The fretful baby, her special
charge, had gone to sleep. 20, dear ~
thought Sis, tremblingly, "whatever
shall do? They'll try it tonight; it's
Just the time. I'll have to hurry. Jack
Davis k'l do something awful if he
ketches me. There won't be no peace
for me now as long as live here, any
how" She hesitated, then seemed to
see kindly, beloved face rising up
before her. She reached for her old
waterproof, wrapped it around her, put
on straw sailor hat. Her face looked
thin and old with anxiety as she turned
back for an instant before descending
the shaky, unlighted stairway.
At the bottom she paused again and
took survey of the court. Near the
into the street she saw
lurking, shadowy figure. They're
watchin',' she muttered 81 can't get out
there. I'll have to go.through Rat Al
ley"
FRAT Alley" was simply a space about
q foot and half wide, which ran be-
tween two of the tenements to street
beyond. 1t was dark and damp and
musty-a thoroughfare for the creatures
which gave it its name. and carefully
summed by every child in the place.
No one would think of 1t as
,hance OF escape for Selma. She