La Junta tribune., 1908-02-08
'Nax'S
/ Mision.
- LUtU JOHNSON.
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Max would not have taken the short
cut through the alley had not Tengrove.
the clean cut young cha? who had CIV
en- him the note. impressed upon him
the need Of great speed,
.'She will be leaving the house for the
the envelope into his breast pocket.
Its half dollar if you get there be
fore she leaves
Max grinnei with the wisdom OF his
fourteen years. For two years he had
worn the blue uniform OF the messen-
ger service. aud one learns n very great
deal In two years. He winked at Ten
grove and darte,i out OF the Office
All OF the boys stecrcd clear of the
alley. a sium Of the financial district.
for more than once messengers had
been held UP by Il gang OF roushs who
had a pull with the political leader OF
ssne ilistrict-
-fVut this letter did not contain money,
AMI the shor, cut meant saving OF
live minutes. and SO Max took chances.
lie had almost reached the far end OF
the aiky when an arm shot out from a
dark doorway and dragged him inside
the gloomy hall Three or four half
grown boys were drinking ont of a
can. but the vessel was set down rs
they crowded about their capture
With unsteady hands the leader drew
ont the letter and eagerly opened |, in
search OF the money he thought might
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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 10 win Dorothy
Metheun's forgiveness. Max sIuirmed
AS the youths shouted In coarse glce 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 ii
Into tiny pieces and threw them into
the boys face.
There II is he said roughly. The
next time we catch You. ana YOU don't
:.
See?"
Max made dive for the envelope
and darted out OF the entry. skillfully
evading the kick aimed Mt 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
: lie gone by then. 1t WAS not the first
Pc he had carried notes for the nice.
N6oking man. and he was bound to zee
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.
1t was the Sylvia and she was lying or
the yacht station. He did not think
that there would he time to reach the
landing before the yacht sailed.
Gimme dime" demanded Max.
Il gotter run for 1t. was frisked.
Hurry up he added impatiently as
the butler stared nj the demand. Some
thing In his manner compelled obedi-
ence. and the stolid scrvitor haLled
over the coin.
The car seemed TO creep down to the
docks, but at last they came to the
landing. and lie dashed out ON the pier.
The watchman pointed out the Sylvia.
and even as lie spoke the boat began TO
move slowly from the anchorage.
There was power boat at the landing
stage with a good naturcd 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 fellow what loves n goll
on that boat Sylvia" he said. "Less'n
! get message to her lie won't git
her. VIII you take me out."
Max's earnestuess was convincing.
land with smile. the skipper nodded
-, the boy to jump In. Max sat gin
4,krly upon the soft cushions. nursing
the wrist that had been wrenched
when he was fighting with the gang
In the alley. He had roughly band
aged II with the rag he called
handkerchief. but now It was throb-
bfng most unpleasantly.
The power boat slipped smoothly
through the water. gaining rapidly Oh
the Sylvia. and presently they were
running side by side and with
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.
Il got a message for you." he an
nouncetl. 1T amt in wrltin'," he add
II m she stretched forth her hand: