Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-10-16
Ma.x~s
Mj.ss'j !;
BY LULU JOHNSON.
Copyright, 1907. by L. C. PARCELS.
V'SIrV'T TT''ITTrITTTTfrTrTgrr,

en him the note, impressed upon him
The need OF great speed.
"Shc Will lie leaving the house for the
boat at H." he had said as Max tucked
the envelope into his breast pocket.
ITS half dollar il YOU get there be.
fore she leaves"
Max grlnncd with the wisdom OF his
fourteen years. For two years he had
Worn the blue uniform OF the messcn.
ger service, and one learns very great
deal in two years. He winkcd ut Ten
grove ana dartcd out of the office.
All of the boys stcercd clear of the
alley, Stun of the financial district
for more than once messengers had
been held up by gang of roughs who
had pull with the political leader of
the district
Bnt this letter did not contain money.
ANA the short cut meant Il saving OF
five minutes, and so Max took chances
lie had almost reached the far end of
'hc alley when an arm shot out from
dark doorway and dragged him inside
The gloomy hall. Three or four half
grown boys were drinking out of Il
can. but the vessel was set down MS
they crowded about their capture.
With unsteady hands the leader drew
ont the letter and eagerly opened it in
search Of the money he thought might
he within. His fnce grew black us 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 pcadings by which |
Tengrovo had hoped to win Dorothy
Mothcnn's forgiveness. Max squlrmed !
ms the youths shouted in coarse glee Mt /
Tie burning words. but he could not /
wrlgglc 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
hoarscly. For answer the bully tore it
into tiny pieces and threw them into
the boys face.
There it is he said roughly "Thc
next time we catch you. and YOU don't |
have money we are going to kill you
Scc:"
Max made n dive for the envclopr |
and dartcd out Of the entry. skilfully |
cvadIng the kick aimed at him by his |
tormentOr. He had no thoughts OF the |
police. He must hurry 10 The Mcthcun |
house. There was no time TO go back /
FOR another letter Miss Metheun would |
be gone by then. 1t was not the first /
time he had carried notes for the nice ,
docking man, and lie was bound TO see /
him out of this scrapc.
by dlnt 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 Metheum Miss Metheun and |,
Mrs. Metheun had gone to the yacht. |
IT was the Sylvia and she was lying of
the yacht station. He did not think
that there would be time to reach the
landing before the yacht sailed.
Gimme dime" demanded Max.
81 gottcr run for 1t. l was frisked.
Hurry up" lie added impaiiently rs
the butler stared at the demand Some
thing in his manner compelled obedi-
ence, and the stolid servitor handed
over the coin.
The car seemed to creep down to the
docks, but ut last they came to the
landing. ana 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.
There was power boat mt the landing
stage with good natured young fell
low at the wheel. Max dropped down
to his side.
WAS You ever in love wit goil;"
he demanded of the skipper. The skip
per admitted the charge
There's a fellow what loves goil
on that boat Sylvia" he said "Less'n
] get a message to her he won't git
her. Will YOU take me outi"
MaX's carncStncSs was convincing,
and. with a smile. the skipper nodded
TO the boy TO jump in. Max sat gin
gcrly upon the soft cushions, nursing
the wrist that had been wrenchcd
when he was fighting with the gang
in the alley. He had roughly band
aged 1t with the rag lie called n
handkerchief. but now it was throb-
bling 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
Mcthcun and was led aft TO where the
party sat under the awnings.
II got message for YOU" he an
nounccd. ut amt in writin',' he add
ed as she stretched forth her hand !;
'-lcastwise 1t amt written now"
What Is it?'' she asked smilingly
ITS n private message" he said
nlcanlnnly ns Ln irlnncnd nj n lnnu u.hn