Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-12-15

and If 1t isn't tender Ill take it back
Mrs. Jansch0wski knew little of
Jim, seeing him only in the mornings.
But her motherly heart went out to
Alice, so different from her own dirty
faced, sturdy-legged brood; and it was
| for Alice's sake that she had agreed
to cook the dinner. Alice gave valiant
assistance, and promptly at one
O'Clock the beautifully bird
was brought to their little table.
If Jim had any premenitions Of his
apldly-approaching finish, he was too
happy to give them more than pass
ing thought. He was in his gayest
mood. He told Alice stories of the
sea, and described royal dinners in
foreign lands. When they had eaten
all they could, Alice slipped down from
her chair and climbed up in his lap,
saying, "Now, tell me really fairy
story, papa" And Jim began slowly
"Once upon time there was great
big giant"
Heavy footsteps sounded in the hall
The door opened suddenly, and a
broad-shouldered man wearing black
hat and overcoat, entered the room.
With cry Of alarm, the picture Of
the giant fresh in her childish imagi-
nation, Alice slid to the floor and took
refuge behind her father. But jim
leaped to his feet, with staring eyes,
and face as white as a sheet. The
visitor looked at him curiously.
"Hello, Limpy. It's you, is it?'
Jim had but one thought-that Alice
must not know. Into this crisis of his
life came his old-time, splendid nerve.
| nj fh4
swept back into his thin face. "Glad
to see you, Cap. You're just in time
for dinner. Too late for the blessing,
but there's plenty of turkey. Sit
down and have a bite. Thought you
were still in York"
There was mute appeal in Jim's
eyes that went to the detectives
heart. He took off his hat and sat
down by the table.
"0h, I've been here for a year OF
two" he said carelessly, smiling at
Alice. I'm on the force-plain-c lothes
man. Didn't expect to see you,
though" Then, with meaning empha-
sis, mo monkey business. The jigs
up. 1t won't pay, you know" for Jim
had measured with his eye the dis
lance to the door, calculating his
| w AO . tlC Alu hC NShi
on. Reminds me of one ! lost q
couple of years back with diphtheria
Pretty near broke my wifes heart. Sit
down, Jim. I'm in no hurry"
Jim gave a long sigh. Yes, the JIG
was up. This man knew him like q
book This man ran him into Sing
Sing years before. This man was his
Nemesis.
They understood each other now
and for the time restraint was at ar
end. The captain made himself mos
agreeable. He had a pleasant face
with deep-set, twinkling eyes, and thu
heartiest laugh Alice had ever heard
She thought him almost as nice al
her papa. He sampled the turkey ant
the cranberries, and tipping back hi
chair crunched q long stick of celer!
in his strong, white teeth, talkinl
briefly to Jim in words Alice coulC
not understand.
"Fine turk, Jim, but an unluck!
pinch. Just happened l was in thu
store getting one for myself. Pipet
your lay. and would have landed if
hadn't slipped on the ice. NeVe
thought of old Limpy Wilson till
saw that trail in the snow. Good GOV
err you've got, but the old lady put M
wise. Unlucky leg, that, jim"
Presently the captain rose. Cues
we'd better get along, JIM" he salt
briefly.
Jim put on his coat and hat ant
turned to Alice with wistful smile
give got to go out for while, httl
sweetheart" His voice trembled, bu
| Alice did not notice it. "The captain
has come to offer me job-a fin
lplace that wifi fix us up alright. II
be back soon." A desperate hope wa
l. Ii his mind. He gave it voice as the
reached the street. Gap" he sal
l. pleadingly, await a few days till ca
= place the little girl. She's all alone.
2 can put her somewhere so she'll
d taken care of and won't know. Fo
e Gods sake, Cap, help me out. Sh
t. thinks her daddy's straight as
A string"
e The captains eyes were full of pit!
/. mo friends" he asked.
= mot one, except old Mrs. Jan, an
=. she's got seven of her own"
!, Its tough proposition, jim" II
d was silent for some time. His han
l. was on Jim's shoulder, the slack {
b the coat in his firm grip.
e '"Tel you what I'll do, Jim. Yo
J can take your choice. I'll give you
!. year to brace up, and you can sta
= right here and keep the kid. That
% one side; here's the other. There
n five thousand dollars for me when
= deliver you over to New York heat
n quarters. I'll take the kid and Civ
q her home, and use the money #
: her education. My wife would tres
:, her like a daughter. Well tell hi
. you've got job in New York. an
r. that she's to stay with us till yc
= send for her When she's old enoug
. to bear it we'll tell her you're dea
% % as you will be long before you serv
% all your time. Now I'll let you go, &