Amador ledger., 1905-12-15


and if it isn't tender I'll take it back"
Mrs. Janschowski 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-browned bird
was brought to their little table.
If Jim had any premonitions of his
rapidly-approaching finish, he was too
happy to give them more than a 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 a really fairy
story, papa" And Jim began slowly
"Once upon time there was a great
big giant
Heavy footsteps sounded in the hall.
The door opened suddenly, and
broad-Shouldered man wearing a black
hat and overcoat, 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,
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.
He extended his hand, and the color
ho0 into fl,f
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 bite. Thought you
were still in York"
There was a mute appeal in Jim's
eyes that went to the detectives
heart. He took off his hat and sat
down by the table.
"Oh, I've been here for a year or
two" he said carelessly, smiling at
Alice. Pm on the force-plain-clot
man. Didn't expect to see you,
though" Then, with meaning empha
sis, "No monkey business. The jig'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 1 lost a
COupIS OI yelIS DdCh Will ulPhlhCAlea'
Pretty near broke my wife's heart. Sit
down, Jim. I'm in no hurry"
Jim gave 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
heartiest laugh Alice had ever heard.
| She thought him almost as nice as
her papa. He sampled the turkey and
| the cranberries, and tipping back his
| chair crunched long stick of celery
| in his strong, white teeth, talking
| briefly to Jim in words Alice could
not understand.
-"Fine turk, Jim, but an unlucky
| pinch. Just happened was in the
store getting one for myself. Piped
your lay, and would have landed if
hadn't slipped on the ice. Never
thought of old Limpy Wilson till
saw that trail in the snow. Good COW
er you've got, but the old lady put me
wise. Unlucky leg, that, jim"
Presently the captain rose. "Guess
briefly.
Jim put on his coat and hat and
! turned to Alice with a wistful smile.
| ''I'ye got to go out for a while, little
sweetheart" His voice trembled, but
Alice did not notice it. "The captain
has come to offer me a job-a fine
place that will fix us up alright. I'll
be back soon.'' A desperate hope was
in his mind. He gave it voice as they
reached the street. Soap" he said
pleadingly, 'wait a few days till can
place the little girl. She's all alone.
can put her somewhere so she'll be
taken care of and won't know. For
Gods sake, Cap, help me out. She
thinks her daddy's straight as a
string"
mo friends?' he asked.
Not one, except old Mrs. Jan, and
she's got seven Of her own"
Its a tough proposition, Jim." He
was silent for some time. His hand
was on Jim's shoulder, the slack of
the coat in his firm grip.
"Tell you what III do, Jim. You
can take your choice. I'll give you a
year to brace up, and you can stay
right here and keep the kid. That's
one side; here's the other. There's
five thousand dollars for me when I
deliver you over to New York head
quarters. I'll take the kid and give
her a home, and use the money for
her education. Ny wife would treat
her like a daughter. Wen tell her
! you've got job in New York, and
that she's to stay with US till you
send for her. When she's old enough
to bear it We'll tell her you're dead,
as you will be long before you serve
all your time. Now I'll let you go, as
1 say, and if you turn square it'll be
alright. But III watch you like a