The Washington herald., 1908-02-01
MAX'S MISSION
By LULU JOHNSON

was no time to go back for another let
ter. Miss Metheun would be gone by
then. II was not the first time he had
carried notes for the nice-lOokiHg man.
and he was bound 20 see him out Of this
/ scrape
By dlnt Of stealing rides on the street
cars he made his way 20 the residential
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 10 the yacht. u was
the Sylvia and she was lying of the
yacht station He did not think that
there would be time 10 reach the landing
before the yacht sailed.
Gimme a dime demanded Max I
gotter run for it. / was frisked. Hurry
up" he added. impauentiy. as the butler
stared al the demand Something in his
manner compelled obedience and the stoIid
servitor handed over the coin.
The car seemed to creep down 10 the
docks. but at last they came to the land
ing and he dashed out on the pier The
watchman pointed out the Sylvia, and
even as he spoke the boat began 20 move
slowly from the anchorage There was "A
power boat at the landing stage, with
good-natured young fellow at the wheel.
Max dropped down % his side.
WAS you ever IN love wit gol?" he
demanded of the skipper. The skipper
admitted the charge
There's a fellow what loves a gOil on
that boat Sylvia" he said. 'LeSs'n 1 get
4 message 10 her he won't Elt her. VIII
you take me out2'
MaX's earncstness was convincing ard.
with a smile the skipper nodded 10 the
boy 10 jump in. Max sat glnEeTly upon
the soft cushions nursing the wrist that
had been wTenched when he was fight
ing with the gang In the alley. lie had
roughly bandaged il with the rag he
called a handkerchief but now il was
throbbug most unpleasantly
The power boat slipped smoothly
through the water. gaining rapidly on
the Sylvia, and presently they were run
ming side by side. and with a Thanks.
you're TN real ting," Max had climbed
aboard the yacht.
To the sailor who came 10 inquire his
business he made demand for Miss
Metheun. and was led aft 10 where the
party sat under the awnings
Il got a message for you" he an
nounced. Tt amt in writing" he added
as she stretched forth her hand, least
wise IL amt written now"
what IS it?" she asked, smilngly.
It's a private message" he said
meaningly. as he glanced at a man who
sat scowling at him. For a moment the
girl hesitated. but for a third time Maxs
earuestness carried the day and she fol-
lowed 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 apollo
gized. You know who he is. He told
NE to hurry and I was runnin' through
tn alley and tn gang frisked me"
THE what?'
"Frisked me" ne explained. Went
through me clothes. Took me cush and
read tn letter"
THE envelope is not sufficiently i'm
portant TO warrant such strenuous ef-
forts TO deliver it," she said a. little
coldly.
But tn letter was a peach" he ex-
planned. The gang read it out and
remember IL. 1 come TO tell you what
was in it. TIL nice lookin' guy said he
was a darn fool to put up such a holler
and he was sorry he made tn beef. lie
took it all back in big words-I can't
remember 'em-but he laid down all
right"
What do you mean?' she asked |
Mr.. TengrOve apol0giZed. is that it,"
"Apologized amt no word for it" said /
Max expansIvely. 1T was down in the |
gutter for his. You cd make him jump |
over q stick If you wanter. He backs 4
up about not wantin' you t go on the |
sail wit this guy, but he wants yer Z to /
come back an marry him afterward an /
not hitch up wit tn pirut over there" |
He indicated the scowling host, and Miss /
Metheun smiled family. Max thought /
that her smile was one Of incredibility /
and his heart sank.
Il cant speel no big words he said /
disconsolately. "bUt on tn level If you /
ed have heard him, you'd be cryin' by /
now. He's dead gone on y an he's /
the candy kid all right. Please can't I |
tell him it's all right, lady? He's the |
real goods and he's sorry TO beat tn /
band. I'm givir' it to y straight"
Dorothy smiled. She, too, had re
GREETED the quarrel that had followed |
Tengr0ve's Jealousy and the eaTnestness
of the boy was the echo in her own
heart.
You may tell Mr. Tengrove." she
said softly. that his envoy is a most
able pleader AMI that his mission has
been successful.
Oats yes?" demanded Max. He en-
git tn ring?"
1T is yes she assented softly. Tell |
Mr.. Tengrove that / shall be back in
town day after Tomorrow
The yacht had drawn inshOre and now
fl swung up 10 the dock. Dorothy leaned
over, deliberatelr kissed the freckled
cheek you wera a dear to take all that
trouble she said softly. Max looked up
with shining eyes
1T was worth i for tn kiss" he said
as he climbed oIt0 the deck. / wish
was Mr. Tengrovt-betcher life do.
Copyright, 1896, BY E. c. Parcells)