Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-09
The Boys of Ellen Street.
A Base Ball Story.
BY MARGARET l.. WALLACE.
CHAPTER vi.

How Revenge Proved Boomerang.
Elton did not go to the farm after all.
realizing that his base ball clothes would
give rise to more questions than he cared
u answer.
I'm 70 back to the store. get my clothes
and go home" he decided. Mother won't
know the difference II do come bach"
He, was conscious of feeling of thank
fulness that his father was away on busl-
ness There was one whom Elton al
rrired so much as his tall. fne-looking
father and his ambition was to be. as ne
was. college man. fraternity man and sue
cessful lawyer But Mr.. Parker's keen gray
eyes saw more than Elton's delicate mother
ever dreamed OF seeing.
As Elton turned into Ellen street he saw
the doctors buggy standing before bis door
and his heart gave bound. His mother
and little Willy had been we'll when he left
that morning.
Mrs. Brown met him at the door.
why, Eft, why aren't you with the
boysY'' she began, in ama3ement; then add
ed hurriedIy. never mind explaining now.
Tn thankful you've come what Is your
fathers address,"
who's siCk?" ,
Your mother is very Ill indeed: Little
Willy is missing. and her fright and excite
meuf have brought on bad attack OF her
The tale was soon told. Willy had been
last seen that morning about ten minutes
after Elton went out, in the front yaro.
Slice then he had been missing. though
nrIgEbors had searched for him in every
direction.
bedside where holding her thin hand, ne
PASSED the longest hours of his life. length
cred by every step on the pavement out
side. heraldng new report OF noh-success
in the search.
Four O'Clock brought his father. whose
coming made decided Improvement In MS
mothers condition. -
Lilly dear we have clew, said MI
Parker. gently coming into his wife's room.
about an hour after his arrival. MT MO
CCrmick says he saw Willy gong on down
tho street with Len Nelson. 1t Is just pos
sible the boys took him with them 10 EsseA'
l have telegraphed there.
Len Nelson2' gasped Elton. Why. ne
never went to Essex at all. III why was
with Len He stopped putting ms , ndr q
to his head in distress. Then. realizins
what he had In piled, he grew scarlet Drop
ping his eyes before his fathers wondering
gaze. ,.. .,.., ,,r
Parker.
"No-that Is. mo-
Mr., Parker caught him by the shoulder
showing him into another ROOM ana CLOS
Ing the door.
What do you know of this matter?' he
demanded What is IL that your manner
implies2''
In FIVE minutes he had the whole story,
and sat looking at Elton in sheer horror.
You arranged with Tennessee Tom that
he was to waylay Len IN the wood, take his
money, and keep him until after the usiil
had gomez" said Mr.. Parker at last, In a
tone his son had never hearu' ny u'o
you do THAR .
TO keep Johnny from taking the club to
Essex" answered Elton, too frightened 10
sneak aught but the plain truth.
DO Won dislike johnny
Il hate him" was the last blaze OF Ell
TONS resentment He knocked me over
why did you not go to Essex" went on
because Adolf came and paid the fares.
and l was too mad TO go. They can't win
unless I pitch" he added with a touch or
pride that faded before his fathers scorn-
ful gaze.
The words and look scorched Elton to the
soul laying bare, as If with white light,
all his meanness and dishonesty.
ring at the bell, Il hustle In the hail
below interrupted them. Willy was found.
As his father tore down the stairs. Elton
Crcpt into his own room and shut the door.
He felt UNIT to touch speak to his be-
loved little brother.
some one in the crowded main street OF
the town had met Tennessee Tom, little
Willy clnging to his hand and crying with
WEAKNESS and mother-sickuess. The neigh
Dor had brought them both home. and after
Mr.. Parker had carried the baby to his
Cvcrjoycd mother. he questioned Tom.
Where is Len Nelson?'
Len Nelson? What LEM" evaded Tom.
Poor lame Len whom Tom stopped this
morning Tell us where he is and you shall
have this.
This" was a silver dollar and with the
CLEAN OF IL IN his eyes Tom led them to q
dark place In the woods. where, gagged his
CrutCh hung high on tree sat poor Len,
haif sick with crying, but otherwise I'M
hurt.
Il wouldn't have minded so much" he
said bravely, when they picked him up,
"hut for the boys. Did they get to Essex
Assured that they had. lie told his story
when / went past the Parkers little
Willie insisted on following me, l supposed
some one was watching him, 50 wasn't wor-
T'ud when he went as far as the corner.
Th.u / scut him home but when l got to
the woods ] heard him laugh and found he
WAS still behind me. | didn't dare go back,
FOR fear OF missing the train. and l didn't
know what 10 do. Then l saw Tom and told
him 20 take Willy home. He nodded in
That funny way he has. but kept walking
after me with the baby, l turned TO tell
him again TO take W!lly home when he
pat Willy down and caught hold of me. I
struggled but of course. he did what he
liked He found the club money In my
pocket almost right away. Then he put
my clutches up in the tree and started on.
l yelled Just as loud I could and willy
started to cry and then lie came back and
tied my mouth up with that horrid dirty
ll''hllc o. his gave why some CdNQy 10
stop his crying and carried him off. l strug-
E,d and tried TO scream, but / couldn't
make sound"
AS Mr.. Parker. carrying weary Len In his
strong arms and the mothers who had
gone with him, came out OF the wood. the
club, home from Essex. troOped into Ellen
street.
From the window Of his room Elton
watched them carry Len home and dispense
10 tier various houses.
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CHAPTER VII.
The Cana