The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-01

/ Johnson pressed the little wife 10 his
breast. drew the blanket about her thin
form. and in husky voice said. Don't
worry. pet; 1t viii come out all right
I will go down town and get some more
furniture. I know another second hand
man who is not such brute. and who
viii let US have what we need"
Carrie looked up at him through her
tears. But he won't let you have Il
without some cash down. she said.
Il know" replied Johnson; but that's
all right met a friend yesterday from
/ Pennsylvania. He is stopping at he
Innskip House, and he told me If want
ed to borrow little money at any time
to come TO him and he would lend it
to me- Besides. this is Tuesday. the day
! that man Williams told me to come and
see him; I know he's got something for
me to do, for he got in a new carload Of
goods yesterday"
ooh, jim" said the wife. half hope
fully, half despairingly. you don't mean
all that; you're just saying it"
"of course I'm saying it. dear" re-
piled jim. with painful attempt at a
smile, but it's true; I know when I go
down town today I'll get some money and
something to do. I'll go right now. be-
cause want to get a stove IN here as
quick as possible. You rad better take
the children and go over to a neighbor's
till I return"
Johnson took each of the little ones in
turn, cIasped them to his heart. wrapped
his arms about them and kissed them.
looking in,o their bright young eyes.
which gazed back into his. all uneon-
scious of the horror Of the situation He
folded his wife and her baby to his breast
as though he would incorporate his life
into theirs Carrie burst into tears, and
johnson. unable longer to stanch the
pent-up flood OF his feelings, himself gave
way to weeping. The little ones, seeing
their parents in tears. Joined in the gen
erai Iamentation. All were weeping save
tie baby, asleep at its mothers breast.
/ They sobbed together, till jim, with
strong effort of will kissed hiewife again
and hurried out OF the room
Night came and jim did not return
Eight o'clock. o'clock. 10 o'clock.
Il O'Clock, and still he had not
come. The town hall clock pealed
the hour of u. and found Carrie anxious
and distressed. sitting on a rough cot,
which some neighbors, on learning Of her
condition. had provided. besides giving
her q small stove and a little coarse food.
The children were asleep, huddled up on
the floor, with bed clothing under them
and over them. The baby was sIumber
! ing on the cot.
Carrie rose and walked the floor in
anguish. Her eyes refused to yield more
tears: they we're hot and red. but dry.
/ She pressed her hands upon her aching
head and groaned. "oh. God. where is
Jim2 What has happened 10 him? He
would not stay away from me if ne
could possibly help it
She could no longer endure the hor-
rible suspense. She threw her shawl
over her head and shoulders. and after
carefully tucking in the children and
the baby. left them sleeping and went
out Of the house. She locked the front
door. and taking the key with her. hur-
ried off a few minutes later she reach
ed the police station.
DO you know anything Of James Y.
Johnson2" she asked the sergeant N
dut:r.
Never heard of him. was the reply.
She gave a description Of her husband.
They had heard nothing concerning such
man; there was no such man there.
Hastily then she returned home. He
might be there by this time waiting to
get in. How her heart .throbbed at the
thought of meeting him, How close the
wolfsh restitution that was upon
them had driven her to him- She reach
ed the house; he was not there.
YEARLY. anxiously. she wore the night
away walking the floor. or sitting upon
the cot when her poor, weak frame was
too exhausted to move At 6 o'clock
she was at the police station again.
They had heard nothing. She crept to
the Offices of the newspapers and fur
lively scanned the pages of the new is
sues as they were pasted on bulletin
| boards in front Of the several estab-
! Tshments. No tidings of jim. She re-
turned home; he was stiIl not there
Nine o'clock found her again at the
police station 4 new officer was in
charge, and she was obliged to tell her
story again.
why, that description seems to fit
the man they've got in there said the
officer. pointing to rear room in the
station.