The Greeley tribune., 1905-12-14

III X -
mrs. Janschowslii knew little of
I'm Seo4IS nm only in the mornings.
~ ~ Her HloiAerly heart went out 10
Altt' I' SO diiierent from her own dirty
lac"u, Sturuy-lcggcd brood: and If was
for Allcc's sake that she had agreed
10 COOK the dinner. Alice gave valiant
assistance, and promptly at one
O'Clock the beautifully-brow bird
was Drought TO their little table.
If Jim had any premonitions of his
,'pIuly-approachlng finish, he was too
happy TO give them more than a pass
ing thought. He was in his gavest
mood. lie 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 Ian.
saying, Now, tell me a really fairy
story papa And jim began slowly
phce upon a time there was a grea
big giant"
Heavy footsteps sounded in the hall.
Ihe door opened suddenly, and IA
broad-shouldcred man wearing a black
nat and oyercoat, entered the room.
With a 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,
ana lace as white as 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.
He extended his hand, and the color
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 a mute appeal in Jim's
eyes that went to the dctectiye' 5
heart. He took off his hat and sat
down by the table.
"OA, I've been here for year or
two he said carclesSly, smiling at
Alice. I'm on the rcc-plain-clothes
man. Didn't expect to see you,
though" Then, with meaning empha-
sis, NO monkey business. The jis's
up, 1t won't pay, you know" for Jim
had measured with his eye the dis
tanCe to the door, calculating his
chances. "Who's the kid?" he went
on. "Reminds me Of one | lost Il
couple of years back with diphtheria.
Pretty near broke my wife's heart. Sit
down, Jim. I'm in no hurry"
Jim gave a long sigh. Yes, the jig
was up. This man knew him like a
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 an
end. The captain made himself most
agreeable. He had pleasant face
with deep-set, twinkling eyes, and the
hcarticst laugh Alice had ever heard
She thought him almost rs nice as
her papa. He sampled the turkey and
the cranberries, and tipping back his
chair crunched a long stick of celery
in his strong, white teeth. talking
briefly to Jim in words Alice could
not understand.
Zine turk, Jim, but an unlucky
pinch. Just happened | was i'll the
store getting one for myself. Plped
your lay, and would have landed if
hadn't slipped on Xhc ice. Never
thought of old Limp" Wilson till
saw that trail in the snow. Good COW
er you've got but the old lady put mt
wise. Unlucky leg. that, jim.
Presently the captain rose. Cues
we'd better get along, jim, he salu
| briefly.
Jim put on his coat and hat anc
turned to Alice with wistful smile
"lve got to go out for While NIUE
sweetheart" His voice trembled, bu
| Alice did not notice it. THE captain
| has come to offer me a job-a fin,
Mace that will fix US up alright. IL
! he back soon" A desperate hope wa:
. n
reached the street. Cap he sal'
nlpadingly, "wait a few days till car
/ place the little girl. She's all alone
ron nut her somewhere so she'll b
taken care of and won't know. 70
! Gods sake. Cap, help me out. Sh
thinks her daddy's straight as
| string
| The captains eyes were fun or pity
'No friends?" he asked.
| Not one, except old Mrs. Jan, an,
| she's got seven of her own
ITS Il tough proposition, Jim. II
wos silent for some time. His ham
was on .Tims shoulder, the slack o
the coat in his firm grip.
"Tell YOU what I'll do. Jim. lO'
| can take your choice, I'll give you
vnor TO brace up, and you can sta
right here and keep the kid. Ihat
one side; here's the other. lhere
five thousand dollars for me when
deliver you over to New York head
quarters. III take the kid and Civ
her a home, and use the money 70
her education. My wife would trea
her like a daughter. Wen tell he
you've got Il job in New York, an
| that she's to stay with us till yo
send for her. When she's old enoug,
| TO bear ii We'll tell her you're dead
as YOU will be long before you serY
| ali YOUR time. Now I'll let you 60 a
| saw, and if you turn square itIl b