The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-30
The EVENING STORY
Max's Mission.

cut through the alley had not Ten
grove. the ciean-cut young chap who
mad given 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 envelnp.. into his breast
pocket: TITS half dollar if you get
tncre before she leaves
MAX GRIM ed with the wisdom of his
fourteen years. For two years he had
worn the blue uniform of the messen-
ger service and one learns a very great
zeal 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.
Tor more than once messengers had
peen held up by a gang of roughs who
mad a pull with the political leader OF
the district.
But this letter did not contain
money, and the short cut meant saw
ing of five minutes, and so Max took
chances. He had almost reached the
Tar end of the alley when an arm shot
out from a dark doorway and dragged
him inside the gloomy hall. Tnree
or four half-grown boys were drinking
out of a can, but the vessel was set
down as they crowded about their cap
ture.
With unsteady hands, the leader
drew out the letter and eagerlr opened
it in search of the money he thought
might be within. His face grew black
as he laboriously read the note, ana
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 Muthcun'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 let
ter 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" he said roughly. 1.-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, skilEully
tormentor. He had no thoughts of the
police. H. must hurry 70 the Metheun
house. There was no time to go back
for another letter. Miss Methuen
would be gone by then. 1t 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 dipt of stealing rides on the
street cars, he made his way to the
residential section. and tore madly up
house.
The butler shook his aad in an
swer to the boys demand for an audi
ence with Miss Metheun. Miss Me-
theun and Mrs. Metheun had gone to
the yacht 1t was the Sylvia and she
did not think that there would be
time to reach the landing before the
yacht sailed. 81
Gimme dime demanded Max. II
T fetal
ry up" he added impatiently, as the
butler stared at the demand. Some
thing in his manner compelled obedi7
ence and the stoltd servitor 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 Waterman pointed out the Sylvia,
and even as he spoke, the boat began
to move slowly from the anchorage.
Z here was power boat at the landing
stage with a good-natured young fell
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 girl
on that boat Sylvia" he said. 'Less'n
1 get a message to her, he won't git
her VIII you take me out?"
Max's earnestness was convincing
and with a smile, the skipper nodded |
to the hoy to jump in. Max sat gin
grrly upon the soft cushions nursing
the wrist that had been wrenched
when he was fighting with the gang
in the alley. He had roughly ban
Jagged it with the rag he called hank
kerchief. but nocw it was throbbing
most unpleasantly.
The power boat slipped smoothly
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.
"I got a message for you" he an
1T amt in writing" he
hand "1eastwise it amt written now
what is it?" she asked, smilingly. |
ITS a private message" he said |
as he glanced at a man
who sat scowling at him. For a mo-
ment the girl hesitated. but for third |
and she followed him to the side of the |
boat He drew out the envelope he |
had saved from destruction.
That's all that's left of it," he apol- |
,gized. "You know who he is. He |
told me to hurry and 1 was runnin |
through tn alley and tn gang frisked |
me-"
"They what?" she demanded.
"Frisked me-" he explained. went |
through me clothes. Took me cush |
and read tn letter."
1.-The envelope is not sufficiently i'm |
portant to warrant such strenuous ef- |
forts to deliver it, she said a Attle |
co1dly.
But tn letter was a peach" he ex-
planned '"The gang read 1t out and |
It. I come to tell you |
what was in it. TIL nice-lookin' guy |
said he was darn fool to put up |
such a ho1ler and he was sorry he |
made tn beef. He took 1t all back in |
pig words can't remember 'em-
put he laid down all right"
Inf do xran1 NJ Oh nrlr