The Cairo bulletin., 1909-09-21
How Jack Was Saved.
BY Edna VI. ilingsbury.

trained and stronger. 1t was a IA
nous raid-gamblers caught In the
act, the implements, some of them
valuable, all conhscated, and the
men seized after long run, all ex-
cept one-Jaek Mckay
That was the one drawback to the
whole thing, for he was known to
be leader and organizer of the gang,
and man who has organized one
gang is. as rule, perfectly capable
| or organizing another.
In vain all search, all offered re-
ward; he had disappeared, as off the
| face of the earth, and his captured
friends. though closely questioned.
could give not the slightest idea as
| TO his whereabouts.
One person could have told where
Jack Mckay was, and that was Mol
lie. Noble was tall slip of a girl,
with soft brown hair and great blue
eyes and the sweetest face ever seen
on lass. When Jack first met her
on the street one day a year before
he stopped short to look at her; and
being tall, square, good looking
chap, his gaze made her eyes droop
and the soft color come into her
lace. AT that Jack deliberately
turned and followed her at re-
speetfui distance to her home. made
friends with her father. and in an
amazingly short time was known
as the sweetheart of pretty Mo!lie
Burns.
ohe knew nothing about him, lust
look MIN on trust; when he said no
had enemies, she thought ii was be-
cause ne was so good, and he had
not the heart nor the inclination to
undeceiye her.
Now when he lodged under the
arm OF a blue-coated pursuer and
swung another one out of the way
with one blow of his big fist, he ran,
more from force OF habit than any,
thlng else, straight in Mt the door
and up the stairs to the Burns tene-
ment. 1t was In the small hours of
the morning, and he did not want to
brighten Mollie. so he pushed open
the door into the kitchen and
stretched out on the floor to slaep. |
knowing that Mollie would come first
In the morning to build the fire.
When she came, he called her
softly "Mollie."
Jack" she cried. "Oh, what's
the matter dear?" And she came
toward him with her arms out
stretched and her eyes plying him.
He drew away.
Don't, Mollie," he said huskily:
you mustn't touch me. don't know
what I'm here for anyway, unless it's
to tell you the truth"
He paused and she gazed at him
wonderingiy.
Don't look at me that way" he
cried. I'm not fit for you to touch
nor to look at, nor to think Of, Mol
lie, darlin'. I'm bad man. and the
police are after me this minute: but
had to come and tell you first that
it's all true what you'll see In the pa.
osrs to-day; that Jack Mckay is a
and sharper, and that his
business Is to cheat men out of their
hard-earned wages. I've been irwin
10 get into somethln' else, for your
sake, lately, Mollie, dear, but
couldn't seem to, and old ways are |
hard to break. So good-by, Mollie;
you'd best forget all about me-"
Jack, what are you going to do?"
Give myself up to the police"
Jack" she hesitated, then came
md laid her hands on his shoulders
md looked into his eyes. Jack,
lear, II I'll get you out of the coun-
ry and keep them from finding you
will You promise me to be a good
nan as lorg as you live?" |
He caught his breath "MoIlie, It's
90 big a risk for you"
Promise" she urged. ,
II promise" he said, solemnly: I
but it's leayin' my heart behind me I
II be, Molle, dear"
She did not answer, but crossed r
he room and took an envelope from 4
he shelf, then came and stood be- q
ore him again. Now listen. No ;
ody knows your name around here,
o one name is as good as another. 4,
o you're Mr.. John Carey and you're
DING back to the old country. Your ,
DOM and passage were taken last | /,
'riday for to-days boat. You see,
Ir. Carey, who bought these--this .
cket, had a bad turn and the doc :
Or said 1t would kill him to go, and :,
is wife brought the ticket In here :.
Or me to take back in the mornin'. :.
o, Mr., John Carey, i will hire car
Iage for you and tonight you1l be
afe and away" Then her eyes very a
Jack, you'll Keep your u
romise, won't you? And you must U
y and forget me-"
Forget you, darlin'? An TIN be
YOU that'll make me d
eep my promise. Then by and by t
hen I've got a Job and little "
oney-oh, I'm not worthy Of you, a
ut | shall send for you Just the n
ime. Now let me see the ticket"
She drew away a little as she N
anded him the envelope; she knew b
hat would happen. He looked I'D b
surprise as he opened 1t. why.
ollie, there's two tickets here" b