Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-25
DAILY SHORT STORY
JIMMY MAeUIRE's LAST JOB.
rConrrieht. 1919. or T. c. McClnre.l

the clerk behind the desk looked MIN
over carefully and then deliberately
dropped one cyeiid.
At AIcCoy's hotel, which is near the
water front, the guests are very seldom
questioned on any matter, but on this
particular afternoon there was no one
save the clerk in the Office when Jim
my entered 1t was because the clerk 5
acquaintance with Jimmy extended
over 4 period of seven years that the
gentleman behind the desk inquired
casually:
Anything on. Jimmy
I'm getting my clothes pressed for
Sunday" said Jimmy meekly.
The clerk laughed systematically.
Anything funny in that?' Jimmy
inquired peevishly. Cant l get my
clothes pressed for sunday"
Course. Jimmy. course" the clerk
Uttered. Going 10 get EN- pressed in
town."
Maybe" said Jimmy. walking over
to n rack of time tables and spreading
ont folder.
Two hours later Jimmy Mcguire and
his suit case were speeding through the
early evening gloom ON a southbOund
train. The smoker was nearly desert
ed and in the dim light of the lamps
Jimmy was examining plan crudely
drawn Oh the back of an envelope. In
one place on the rough map was a
heavy cross. and near il was drawn an
arrow, along whose shaft ran these
words: ALLEY here. Enter third win
dow from this end"
Jimmy folded the envelope carefully
and placed it in an inner pocket. Then
he lay back and doZed until the brake
man called "Redpath.' Jimmy caught
up the suit case and alighted.
He went down the dark street from
the station. took the first left, then the
second right, as the map had directed,
and suddenly stopped before a squat
brick building. In the dim light of a
neighborinG street lamp lie read the
furnished gilt sign beneath the cornice,
"Rcdpath County Loan and Construc-
ton Company" He went to the rear
and found the alley indicated on the
map. lie also found the third window
which was mentioned. He pulled out
his watch.
Quarter past TO- lie unused. whole
towns in bed probably. This is too
easy
In n few moments Jimmy was inside
and standing before the heavy door of
a vault which he was examining crit
ically.
Dynamite nothing" lie unused to
himself "'Twon't take me thirty min
utes to open that"
Jimmy went swiftly and quietly to
work. In just twenty-six minutes from
the time he opened the suit case he
swung open the door of the vault. He
took one step forward and then stag
gercd back, for out Of the vault tot
tered young woman, who stood be
side him swaying TO and fro. Jimmy
sprang forward and caught her just
as she fell.
He laid her gently on the floor, with
his coat beneath her head. Then he
brought water from a faucet lie found
in the inner office and deftly Iaved her
wrists and temples. Presently she
opened her eyes and sat up.
Pretty narrow squeak that" said
Jimmy cheerfully.
"Where-where are the Test?" she
asked daZcdly.
Jimmy brought chair and lifted
her into it.
Il know all about it," he said sooth-
ingly. 'Ym work here, ana some one
accidentally locked you in the vault at
closing time. / confess l didn't eX
pect to find you in there when l opened
II. l came of my own accord. you I'M
derstand. for quite another purpose
oh" she gasped and regarded him
with wide opened eyes. 1T was just
in time for me anyway. / couldn't
have lived in there much longer"
Jimmy had risen and was putting
his tools in his suit case. after which
lie shut the door of the vault
Il have interrupted your-your bust
ness" she said.
Jimmy smiled He noted she was
very pretty girl. There was something.
too, in the way she accepted the situa-
ton that won Lis admiration.
Really he said, I'm not in the
mood for work tonight. If You feel
able To stay alone here for Il moment
I'll call carriage to take you home"
The girl gave him a grateful look
Il didn't realize there were gentle
men in your-yoUr profession she
said. "But l fear you'll run too much
risk in getting the carriage. You'd bet
ter not GO
Nonsense" laughed Jimmy and dis
appeared through the window.
1t was two Years from the night that
Jimmy Mcguire and his suit case left
McCoy's that Mr.. Andrew Rider--Si-
lent Andy more acknowledgement a
letter in the office of the same hotel
and read as follows:
Dear Audy-You remember that Job YOU
put me next TO down in Redpath Wen
what do You think / got out OF that
vault2 Old boy. il was wife the best
and sweetest woman in the world We
were married here in Redpath last Tues
day You see she was accidentally lock-
ed in that vault racked. and cracked
II just IN time 20 save her too.
As hope for peace and happiness the
rest Of my days Andy. I've been an hon
est man from the moment ! first looked
into her eyes.