The La Jara chronicle., 1905-12-15

and if ii isn't tender III 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 y-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 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
ad-shouldered man wearing 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,
visitor looked at him curiously.
"Hello, Limpy. It's you, Is tt?'
Jim had but one thought-that Alice
must not know. Into this crisis OF ms
life came his old-time, splendid nerve.
He extended his hand, and the color
swept back into his thin face. Giad M
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 Jtm'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 year or
two" he said carelessly, smiling at
Alice. I'm on the force-plain-clothe
man. Didn't expect to see you,
though" Then, with meaning empha-
sis, "No monkey business. The jigs
up, 1t won't pay, you know" Tor Jim i'm
had measured with his eye the dis
tance to the door, calculating MS
chances. "who's the kid?' he went
on. "Reminds me of one / lost a
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
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 cranherries, and tipping back his
chair crunchcd a 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 I 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 1
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. "Guoss
we'd better get along, Jim," he said
briefly.
Jim put on his coat and hat and
turned to Alice with wistful smile
"I've 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 tine
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. cap" 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"
The captains eyes were full of pity
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 I'll do, Jim. You
can take your choice. I'll give you
| year to brace up, and you can stay
right here and keep the kid. Tina,
one side; here's the other. There's
five thousand dollars for me when
deliver you over to New York head
quarters. I'll take the kid and give
her home, and use the money for
her education. My wife would treat
her like daughter. Well tell her
| you've got a job in New York. AMI
| 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 III let you 20. rs
I say. and IL you turn square it'll be
alright. But I'll watch you like u
hawk, and if you trip up again, 50
help me! you'll take your medicine,
child or no child. And you know, as
well as l do that you're too old dog
to learn new tricks. Speak up, now
I'm wasting good time"
And Jim spoke quickly. AS much
as he loved liberty he loved Alice
I