The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-04
DAILY SHORT
: STORY
THE EAGLES TALONS.

4
last gay couple had departed and
the soda fountain clerk was evil
IDENTIFY delaying on her account the
| closing of the store. 1t was cold
and stormy outside. Anxiously
scanning the clock on the wall she
told the boy sh, had only 10 min
utes more to wait for the II o'clock
interurban car, and would willingly
wait outside.
Apologizing for his haste, the
boy took her at her word, locked
the safe, lowered the lights and
called out, "All ready" Miss
Knowles quickly stepped out, but,
as the bleak wind struck her face,
huddled into the corner of the door
way The heavy door creaked on
it's hinges and refused at first to
close but the boy pulled it shut
with muffled bang, turned the
key, and, with Good night,
MISS hurried off up street
Covering close in the shelter,
Miss Knowles watched eagerly for
the big red car now almost due.
She was just little afraid. 1t was
horrid, anyway, living out of town
and trying to keep up with her
musical engagements in the city.
This rehearsal had ben particularly
late, but now that she had taken
up work with the jubilee chorus
she might often be late. 1t would
be so much nicer to live in the city.
Perhaps it would have been better
if she had accepted Jack Amber.
She hadn't seen him for so long
she had almost forgotten him, but
she had heard he was prosperous.
He was ambitious. and men do
make money in the drug business.
She ran over in her mind some big
firms and wondered If Jack were
with any of them. But then, she
wouldn't be singing, probably, If
she had married, and there would
be no need of Jacks protection on
lonely corners.
Just then the headlight of the
ear sent it's searchlight glare down
the avenue, and Cathy sprang out
t oreach the crossing. But she fell
flat upon her hands and knees upon
the dirty sidewalk. Something was
holding her gown. She heard it
tear as she tried to free herself.
The big car moved on and she was
left alone in the dark and storm.
She struggled to her feet and
stepped back onto the narrow
stone of the doorsill. Her skirt
Was held fast by the door, and the
big hinges were chewing it to tat
ters. Her new broadcloth suit!
Her neat veil, too, would soon be
ruined by the scalding tears which
coursed down her half frozen
cheeks.
She shook the door latch furi-
ously. She knocked on the glass.
She shouted Hello. Hello." But
no response came from the de-
serted interior. Above were only
deserted offices.
She shook the door again and
shouted louder than before. This
time she was rewarded by the sight
of the substantial form of a patrol
man.
whats the matter, miss? The
store closed" was his sympathetic
remark.
81 know it is, but I'm shut I'M"
must have seemed to him about as
lucid.
But as soon as the true situation
was made known, he got busy. He
ratified the door. examined the
hinges and pulled at the cloth. Il
could cut. 1t ma'am, but that would
be too bad!' Caricatures on the
prevailing fashions arose before
them and they both laughed. NO
directoire skirt for me-" said Miss
Knowles.
go over to our station near here
and see if | can find out where any
of these clerks live" looking up at
the sign. Eagle Pharmacy"
Another police officer came Ito
keep her company and cheer her
up" while Morgan" was engaged
in locating clerk or proprietor.
In half hour Morgan came
back, excited and quite hoarse from
his tusse at the telephone
Couldn't find single clerk" he
announced But | got the manager
of this line of stores. He'll be here
in short time"
In few moments brisk, bust
ness like young man stepped from
a car and hurried over to them He
carried a big bunch of keys, and
after few trials found the right
one and unlocked the door. Nor
gan volubly explained the affair TO
tfhe manager, who expressed great
regret that one of his employees
should have been so careless.
Miss Knowles held her music
roll in front of her face until she
was released. but then frankly
held out her hand Mr.. Amber. it