Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-31
Max'.s Mission.
 By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyright, 1907, by B. c. Parcells

 en him the note, impressed upon him the need of great speed.
 'She will be leaving the house for the boat at H." he had said as Max tucked the envelope into his breast pocket. Its half dollar if you get there be- fore she leaves"
 Max grinned with the wisdom of his fourteen years. For two years he had worn the blue uniform of the messen- ger service, and one learns very great deal in two years. He winked at Ten grove and darted out of the office.
 All of the boys steered clear of the alley, slum of the financial district, for more than once messengers had been held up by gang of roughs who had a pull with the political leader of the district.
 But this letter did not contain money, and the short cut meant a saving of five minutes, and so Max took chances. He had almost reached the far end of the alley when an arm shot out from a dark doorway and dragged him inside the gloomy hall. Three or four half grown boys were drinking out of a can, but the vessel was set down as they crowded about their capture.
 With unsteady hands the leader drew out the letter and eagerly opened it in search of the money he thought might be within. His face grew black as he laboriously read the note, and while one of the others went through the boys pockets, relieving him of what small coins he had, the leader read aloud the tender pleadings by which Tengrove had hoped to win Dorothy Metheun's forgiveness. Max squirmed as the youths shouted in coarse glee at the burning words, but he could not wriggle out of the grasp on his coat collar. Not until the letter had been read did they let him go.
 Gimme the note," he demanded hoarsely. For answer the bully tore it into tiny pieces and threw them into the boys face.
 '"There it is," be said roughly. "The next time we catch you, and you don't have money we are going to kill you. See"
 Max made a dive for the envelope and darted out of the entry, skillfully evading the kick aimed at him by his tormentor. He had no thoughts of the police. He must hurry to the Metheun house. There was no time to go back for another letter. Miss Metheun would be gone by then. It was not the first time he had carried notes for the nice looking man, and he was bound to see him out of this scrape.
 By dint of stealing rides on the street cars, he made his way to the residen- tial section and tore madly up the front stoop of the Metheun town house.
 The butler shook his head in answer to the boys demand for an audience with Miss Metheun. Miss Metheun and Mrs. Metheun had gone to the yacht. It was the Sylvia and she was lying off the yacht station. He did not think that there would be time to reach the landing before the yacht sailed.
 Gimme a dime" demanded Max. T gotter run for it. I was frisked. Hurry up." he added impatiently as the butler stared at the demand. Some thing in his manner compelled obedi- ence. and the stolid Seryitor handed over the coin.
 The car seemed to creep down to the docks, but at last they came to the landing. and he dashed out on the pier. The watchman pointed out the Sylvia, and even as he spoke the boat began to move slowly from the anchorage. There wes a power boat at the landing stage with good natured young fel- low at the wheel. Max dropped down to his side.
 Was you ever in love wit a goil?" he demanded of the skipper. The skip per admitted the charge.
 There's a fellow what loves a goil on that boat Sylvia" he said. "Less'n get a message to her he won't git her. Will you take me out?"
 Max's earnestness was convincing. end, with a smile. the skipper nodded to the boy to jump in. Max sat gin gerly upon the soft cushions. nursing the wrist that had been wrenched when he was fighting with the gang fin the alley. He had roughly hand aged it with the rag he called a handkerchief. but now it was throb- ping most unpleasantly.
 The power boat slipped smoothly through the water. gaining rapidly on the Sylvia, and presently they were running side by side and with a Tanks: you're tn real ting Max had climbed aboard the yacht.
 To the sailor who came to inquire his business he made demand for Miss Metheun and was led aft to where the party sat under the awnings.
 T got a message for you" he an uounced. 1t ain't in writin'." he add ed as she stretched forth her hand; ''leastwise 1t ain't written now"
 What is itT' she asked smilinEly.
 Its a private message" he said neaningiy as he glanced at a nan who sat sowing at him. For a moment the girl hesitated. but for a third time Max's earnestBess carried the day. and she followed him to the side of the boat He drew out the envelope he Bad saved from destruction.
 That's all that's left of 1t he spoi- sgized. You know who he is He tod ne to harry. and I was runaia' through th' alley. and tn gang friskei ne