Evening journal., 1899-10-07
FOR THOSE OLDtDAYS


even when she rolled her very best IL was
a porientous, pounding roll thst put deck
carro ia deadly peril.
When the hrolo dropped down the AIor>
sey one late spring afternoon She had three
passengers on board. all men. Each had
probably chosen 20 sail in the lrokc because
The fares were low. That 40 amy rate, was
John Crcgan's reasons. which he made nc
ecrupics 10 disclose. "l'm not rich, - he said
"and that's a fact. I've a little money. but
III maybe want that at the other side.' lie
was an experienced traveller, but had tho
lrishmans faculty for making the best OF
strange surroundings. In two days he was
perfectly at home.
They were three DAYS out when a fourth
passenger unexpectedly appeared on deck
He was o. black retriever dog, eossy-coated.
well fed, perfectly at his case and inclined G.
he polite TO every man on board he went on
20 the bridge to see Capt. Hammond. who
swore more than the occasion demanded
Capt. Hammond walked up to the three
passengers, who were playing a game Of
poker on deck
Gentlemen he said, "there's dog
aboard this ship. Irechon be s got riaster
Does he belong TO any of youg
lie looks like dog of mine," said Gre
gan.
Did you bring him on board. sirg"
"lle came with me"
"lou should have let me know, Mr. Gre
gan"
Sorry captain. didn't lnowyou liheo
dogs
II don't ike 'em on my ship. Some peo
pied throw him overheard, Mr. Crecan.'
"Ah, would thoy2 There'd be the devil
and an TO pay If they did. A lot depends on
that dog, Capt. Hammond I'm stand for hn
keep and lodgng--that's fair" Punch shook
hands al around and Capt Hammond was
appeased.
At Rio de Janeiro John Cregan disem
barked with Punch and his few belongings
No one on board had succeeded in discover
ing bis business, not even the captain, who
had done his best to draw him.
When Cregan landed he put up at the most
moderate hotel he could find, and lookeo
about him for a family named DOYLE. lie
found families called Doyle in every con.
ceivable condition Of life, but from an OF
them he turned away unsatished. Wherever
Cregan went Punch went, too; he was as
alert as a fox.
Come, Punch wen take a turn" sai0
Crogan one cool evening
The main thoroughfares were crowded.
lighted saloons, not too choice, shone upon
the street; the people of Rio wore mallina
merry in Characteristic fashion. Croean
turned into darker and narrower ways. non.
derng deeply on the strange fortune that
brought him 30 far on 60 So poor q chance of
success Suddenly Punch started forward
nose to ground. Cregan sawsa figure pas.
into a squalid-loohng house.
Back, dogl" he called. Punch came &c
heel al quiyering with excitement
Is it q true find, wonder" he thought
drawing back into the shadow with his HAND
on the dogs collar.
IN half an hour the figure camo.out; 10 wa.
a woman in the dress Of a nurse. puncl
strained to free himself
Cregan was more excited than the dog; hI
could have danced for joy. When the WON
an was out Of sight he went up to the hous
which she had left and knocked. A draggle,
child came to the door.
"Who was the lady who just left?"
"Sure, twas Sister Moira."
"Where does she live"
"How could i know, sorr"
''Wil she be here tomorrow"
'She will, sorr.'
Cregan scribbled his address on a piece O
paper and slipped it and a coin into Tia
! ohild's hand.
Give her the paper tomorrow and tel
her to come at once. Spend the money
dacent, now, avick."
He hurried back to the hotel and tried tl
/ sleep, but the morning found him with hoavi
/ eyes and aching head. All day he eat az
his window with the dog, watching for thI
woman in a nurses dress.
At last she came. It was toward evening
and the cool wind was blowing up again
/ She was shown into an empty room accord
ing TO his instructions, and he and the dol
went down to meet her
When the door was opened Punch spran
to her joyfuily; with little startled cry shI
drew away; then she fell on her knees anl
buried her face against his shoulder.
"Punchl Punchl" she cried, 'is it your
I've brought him to you, Moira," salt
Cregan Twas he who found YOU"
"And you, too Oh, John"
lie took her hand and held it for a lon
time in silence, gazing into her eyes The
be Jet it fall with a sigh that showed wha
WEAKNESS had been lifted from him.
Il didn't write" he said, because m
name could be nothing but trouble TO you,
! reminder Of bitter days"
Never thati" she cried
1T was through my father that you wer
made poor" he went on. firmly, 'otherwis
you would never have left home. Let m
speak, MORA. l have had enough good foi
tune to be able to repay Mr.. Doyle evef
penny. Here it u.s."
He took draft from his pocketbook an
laid it on the table.
"Don'tl" She cried.
"You must take it to him."
John, he died a year ago."
"Ihen I'm too latel"
'Not too late, for your goodness was
the thought. never can forget that"
'Then it's yours now; you're alone an
need it. The things been hanging aroun
my neck like a milestone. Take IL, MORA.
"For the sake Of the old days" she sal,
"don't ask me-"
'It's for their sake do ask. Dear Go,
the old daysl"
"When are you going backs"
"Never. l shall stay here to redeem m
fathers name"
"John, are you illY
"Only a little feverish."
"The old daysl Noira, if only we coul
bring them back, if only dared"