Evening journal., 1907-07-17
Helping Billy Out.

''Why Dlckw ne exclaimed after
moment OF hcsitancy. "Diclz Murry.
I'm glad TO see you. Come In and let
me congratulate you I've heard OF
your great success, and they tell me
that Stern is going TO star you In a
new play" He was shaking both Of
his friends hands after an attempt TO
brush the letters and boxes into
drawer that only succeeded in scat
tering them about his desk.
"Yes," said Murry, 1--WE been run
ming In luck, but l looked you up TO
congratulate you. heard this morn
ing
There's nothing In it-now," Van
North interrupted. "The date was set
for June. but He waved his hand
over the scattered letters and jewel
ers' boxes.
"Is there any one else?'
"No; made n fool Of myself, that Is
ALL It was Just a trivial thing. and I
was stubborn. Thought ia wait until
Now I've lost"
Don't say you've lost" retorted Muir
~. "untll the girl has married another
fellow. Come. go 70 lunch with me.
Wen talk it over, and possibly I can
help YOU"
Van North shook his head "No,
thanks. old man." he said Il haven't
time There's one chance In a hundred
this afternoon, aud I'm going TO take IL.
She won't be at home tonight, and she
sails for Europe tomorrow, but she's
coming down town in half an hour.
Goes shopping every Tuesday ana
drives down Twenty-third street about
. o'clock. It's almost hopeless, Dick,
but I'm going TO speak to her when
she goes into a store"
Murry had been smiling and thinking
deeply. ITS a good PLAN" he said,
unless the lady has a heart Of stone.
But must go, I'm in hurry. Good
by. III see you later"
Van North watched the tall. muscular
figure Of the young actor until he had
passed the long row Of desks In the
outer office and had disappeared In the
street. Then Billy closed his door and
began pacing the floor. his head bowed
delectedly. Presently he paused at
the desk. selected a small, square.
plushed covered box from among the
rest. hestated and placed It in his
pocket. Then, glanclng at his watch,
he hurried from bis Office.
He walked quickly to the corner OF
Twenty-thlrd street and Needless OF
a pollceman's order to move ON, stood
shoulders above the restless crowd and
eagerly scanned every cab that passed.
suddenly he threw away the cigar he
had Just lighted and raised his hand 20
his hat. brs there was no light OF rec
ognition IN the eyes that glanced al
him for an instant. wavered and then
found something Of deep interest In the
opposite direction. He paused when
the cab door swung back and dainty
foot was placed upon the step. Then
ciinching his nsts. he stepped forward
"Hclcn-doar- want-I must speal
TO you" he stammered. although It was
not what he had intended 10 say.
He received no reply. The yOunl
lady raised her head high and, ignor
ing him. started across the sidewalk
No ray Of hope lay beyond the entrance
10 the store Desperately he placed his
hand upon her arm.
"Just a moment. Helen. Won't yor
give me IN opportunity TO explain-tS
tell you how regret''--
His Intellectual pleading was inter
rupted by a voice that hissed into hiI
ear:
Look here, young feller, wot ye
doin'T A powerful hand clutched hii
shoulder from behind. He tried TO fac
his captor. but the hand slid down an,
twisted his arm. and he could not turn
"Lady." the voice continued, III thi
here NUT Is lnsultin' you JUS say tn
word an I'll break every bone in hi
blame body" A huge. dirty fist wa
held threatening before Van North
eyes while an arm shot suddenl,
around him, plnning him, helpless
against his adversary.
The girl had grown very pale. ''Don'
dare. sir" she exclaimed. her eye
flashing. "I1c-hc Is my-leave thl
instant sir, or 1 shall call an officer"
q beg pardon. miss. / didn't kno'
! him. Thought he was flirting" the fe
low replied. relaxing his hold. and Va
North turned 10 see the tough figure
clad in a suit OF glaring plaid. swal
gering mp tho street.
"Oh. Billyi II was afraid TIL
brutew Tears filed the girls eye
and she clung neryously 10 Van North
I hand while he assisted her into th
Z cab.
4 "Come, sweetheart" he said, ''yo
8 are unnerved. You must let me tax
e yon home again. The shopping "a
wait-until day after tomorrow"
: "Billy -rn-so-so sorry" she sobbe
: softly. "And I'm so happy now" sf
added, raising her eyes. but Van Mort
was gazing in astonished silenC
a through the cab window.
e As they whlrled up the street he ha
I. caught n glimpse Of a glaring plal
suit IN the crowd. Tho man who wol
81 had lost his slouching gait and VIZ
swingcg along famillarly. He caugl
e Van North's eye, raised his cap an
bowed. smiling
"Dick Murryi BY GeorgeT
70