The Washington times., 1903-06-28
THE PEARL STREET BEND; Or LOVE AND DUTY

static and watched his disappearing fig
ure with tired. heart hungry look in
her eyes. The honeysuckle was in
bloom. no doubt. and roses. too.
Jerry did not dare 70 look back. He
knew his good-hearted but fussy mother
would be much dlsDleased at his having
kept the supper waiting by even one or
two boats. hut he murmured as he
sprinted at the sound of the ferry bell:
IT'S a pity she's a furriner. for a
likelier one I amt seen in years"
Many an evening after that Jerry was
late. greatly TO his mothers annoyance
and mystiheation, for he had been as
regular in his house as his own we'll
trained switchboard. And many an
evening Nichette went 10 bed supperless.
because. as her grandmother explained
irately. a girl who would rather sit in a
park incoming deserved no better fate.
Several times It had been on the tip of
Jerry's tongue 10 ask Nichette whether
he might come to see her and meet tho
grandmother and the brother, or whsth-
er she would come out some Sunday TO
see his old mother and the little garden.
But the thought OF his mothers disap-
prevail Of TURNER'S held him back.
II was a blazing July day. Horses
dropped In the streets, and the hose at
every fire station was kept running on
passing teams and fortunate small boys
who had no regard for the condition OF
their raiment. Not a breath of air
stirred in the flower factory, and Nj
ohetto's head whirled oddly, though her
hands worked on mechanically. Outside
the sun sIzzled on the cleaning rails.
and Jerry rubbed his hand several times
over his eyes. for # seemed 10 him as
II the rails emitted sharks
The noon hour came and Nichette
crossed to the window. There would be
no use in going 70 the little square to-
day She was too tired. She started TO
speak TO Jerry. when suddenly. without
a word. he slipped OF his chair and
landed in a limp heap on the floor Of the
little house.
The women in the rear OF the factory
room heard a shrilI cry. and for an in
slant saw Nichett's Slender figure poised
On the window ledge Then she disap-
peared. and panic broke loose among
tho women. The French girl had gone
crazy and killed herself. they cried in
Italian. and the foreman rushed from
his private Office.
But the sight that met his eyes was
of Nichette kneeling on the one chair
In the little house. with a red flag In
eithe hand, shaking them from the win
dows. one TO the west OF the curve and
one TO the south. She knew nothing
about switchboards. but she knew that
uo train would pass those red flags.
il was evening in the little Jersey
town. two days later. Jerry had Just
been brought home from the hospital
where he had been hurried with other
cases of heat prostration. Nichette sat
by his side. but they did not talk
much.
Mrs. Farrell hung over the side fence
talking with her arrest neighbOr, who
spoke eonsolingly;
sure, Miss Farrell. the Dist OF 'em
will marry"
"0Pye been expectin' somethin' Of the
sort whin he came home late, an it
n ght NV been worse" was the reply.
She's a likely girl. an being as Jerry
amt had q vacation these two years /
toll HIM tn night he'd best marry at
oreet an take a little trip. She's none
of your high-fiiers. anyhow. an / sup
pose she can't help bein' furriner."