The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-26
Those Old pavs.

sttCcC 0r1
The Frolie was q cargo beat, but she
carried passengers when eha could set
them Il was suggested that she had
been christened the F'rulic In bitter irony
She certainly never Justified the name.
not even when she rolled her very best
Il was Doztsntouss poundfng ron that
put deck cargo in deadly peril.
When the Fxolic dropped down the
Mersey one late spring afternoon she had
three passengers on beard. all men. Each
had probably chosen to san in the Froiic
because the fares were low. That. at any
rate, was John Cregan's reason. which
he made no seruples to disclose. I'm
not rich he said. ..and that's q fact
I've a little m0ney, bat IN maybe want
| that 1t the other side Hewas an ins
experienced traveller. but had the Irish
mans faculty for making the best OF
strange SURROUNDINGS. In tive days he was
perfectly at home.
They were three days cut when fourth
passenger Unexpectedly appeared On deck.
He was black retriever dog, glossy
coated. well-fed. perfectly at his ease ana
inclined to be polite TO every one on
board. He went on TO the bridge to see
Captain Hammond, who swore more than
the occasion demanded. He called the
crew aft and asked them who brought
the dog aboard.
A chorus OF 81 didn't. SIR" swept the
deck.
Captain Hammond walked up to the
three passengers, who were playing q
game Of poker on deck.
''Gentleme1i." he said. there's Q deg
aboard this ship. I reckon he's got a
master. Does he belong to any Of your
He looks like a dog OF nine," said
Cregan.
Did you bring him on board. sir7"
'He came with me-"
''You should have let me know, Mr..
Cregan."
sorry, captain. I didn't know you
liked dogs"
people'd throw him overheard. 0dr. Gre
gan"
"Ah. would they? There'd be the devil
and all to pay IL they did. A lot de-
ponds on that dog, Captain Hammond.
Ill stand for his keep and lodging-thats
fair" Punch shook hands all around, and
Captain Hammond was appeased.
The dog naturally became the most pop
ular parsonage on the ship. Most OF his
time he devoted to Cregan. The rest was
punetiliously divided between officers and
men.
At Rio de Janeir6 John Cregan disem-
barked with Punch and his few belong
ings. No one on board had succeeded in
discovering his business, not even the cap
tain. who had done his best to draw
him.
When Cregan landed he put up at the
most moderate hotel he could find, and
looked about him for family named
Doyle. He found families called Doyle
in every conceivable condition Of life, but
from all Of them he turned away unsatis-
fed. Wherever Cregan went Punch went,
too; he was as alert as a fox.
Come, Punch; we'll take turn" said
Cregan one cool evening.
The main thoroughfares were crowded;
lighted saloons, not too choice, shone
upon the street, the people of Rio were
making merry in characteristic fashion.
Cregan turned into darker and narrower
ways, pondering deeply on the strange for
tune that, brought him so far on to so
poor a chance of success Suddenly
Punch started forward. nose to the
ground. Cregan saw figure pass into a
sQualid-looking house.
Back, dog!" he called. Punch came
to heel all quivering with excitement.
-,
drawing back into the shadow with his
hand on the dogs collar.
In half an hour the figure came out; 1t
was a woman. In the dress of q nurse.
Punch strained to free himself.
"Quiet; not now. This isn't the right
place to interview a lady. You should
know that, Punch"
Cregan was more excited than the dog;
he could have danced for JOY. When the
woman was out of sight he went up to
the house which she had left and knock
ed. A draggled child came to the door.
''Who was the lady who Just left?"
'Sure, twas Sister MORA"
"Where does she live?'
How could know, sorr?"
"Will she be here tomorrow
''She WILL. sorr.''
Cregan scribbled his address on q piece
OF paper and slipped 1t and a coin into
the child's hand.
Give her the paper tomorrow and tell
her to come at once. Spend the money
dacent, now, avick."
He hurried back to the hotel and tried
to sleep. but the morning found him with
heavy eyes and aching head. ALI day he
sat at his window with the dog, watching
for the woman in a nurses dress.
At last she came. It was toward even
ing, and the cool wind was blowing I'D
again. She was shown into an empty
room according to his instructions, and
he and the dog went down to meet her.
When the door was opened Punch
sprang to her joyfully; with a little
startled cry she drew away; then she fell
on her knees and buried her face against
his shoulder.
Punch! Punchw she cried. "Is II your
"Pve brought him to you. Moira," said
Cregan. "'Twas ne who found you"
And you, tool oh, Johnw
He took her hand and held II for
long time in silence, gazing into her eyes.
Then he let 1t fall with sigh that showed
what WEAKNESS had been lifted from
him.
Il didn't WRITE" he said, because my
name could be nothing but trouble to
you, reminder of bitter days"
Never that" she cried.
1T was through my father that you
were made poor" he went on firmly, 10Th
erwise you would never have left home.
Let me speak, MoIra- have had enough
good fortune TO be able to repay Mr.
Doyle every penny. Here II is.''
He took a draft from his pocketbook
and laid It on the table.
'Don't?' she cried.
You must take II to him"
John. he died q year ago.
Then. I'm too late.'
''Not too late, for your goodness was
In the thought I never can forget that"
Cregan sat staring at the draft, which
was drawn to the order Of g dead man.
His head swan.
Then. It's yours now; you're alone and |
need ha-ap han
my neck like a millstone. Take II.
AEoira