Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-06
THE EAGLES TALoNs
BY Marion Gordon.


pharmacy waiting for her suburban car.
1t was very late. The last gay couple
had departed and the soda fountain clerk
was evidently 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 she
had only 10 minutes more to wait for the
IL o'clock interurban car, and would will
ingly wait outside.
Apologizing for his haste. the boy took
her at her word, locked the safe, lower
ed the lights and called out "All ready!"
Miss Knowles quickly stepped out. but. as
the clear wind struck her face. huddled
close into the corner OF the doorway. The
heavy door creaked on ints hinges and re-
fused at first 10 close. but the boy pulled
It shut with q muffled bang, turned the
key and, with a GOOD night, Miss,
hurried off up street.
Covering close in the shelter. Miss
Knowles watched eargerly for the big
red ear, now almost due. She was just
a 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 been 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 1t would have been
better II she had accepted Jack Amber.
She hadn't seen him for so long she had
almost forgotten him, but she had heard
ne was prosperous. He was ambitious.
and men do make money in the drug bus
mess She ran over IN her mind some big
firms and wondered II Jack were with
any OF them. But then, she wouldn't be
singing, probably. IL she had married, and
there would be no need of Jacks protec-
ton on lonely corners.
Just then the headlight of the car sent
its searchlight glare down the avenue.
and Cathy sprang out to reach the cross
ing. But she fell flat upon her hands and
knees upon the dirty sidewalk. Some
thing was holding her gown. She heard
II 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 mar
row stone Of the doorsill. Her skirt was
held fast by the door, and the big hinges
were chewing Il to tatters. Her new
broadcioth suit! Her neat veil, too, would
soon be ruined by the scaiding tears
which coursed down her half-frozen
cheeks.
She shook the door latch furiously. She
knocked on the glass. She shouted Hell
10! Hello!' But no response came from
the deserted 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 patrolman.
whats the matter, Miss? The stores
closed" was his sympathetic remark.
IT know 1t is, but I'm shut in!' must
have seemed to him about as lucid.
But as soon as the situation was
made known he got busy. He ratified the
door, examined the hinges and pulled at
the cloth. II could cut 1t, ma'am, but
that would be too badl' Caricatures on
the prevailing fashions arose before them
and they both laughed. mo directoirs
skirt for metz said Miss Knowles.
well, Just be patient, miss. I'll go over
to our station near here and see II can
find out where any Of these clerks live, I"
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 a half hour Morgan came back ex-
cited and quite hoarse from his tussle at
the telephone. Couldn't find a single
clerk" he announced. But 1 got the
manager of this line Of stores. He'll be
here in a short time"
In a few moments a brisk. business
hurried over to them. He carried big
bunch OF keys. and after few trials
found the right one and unlocked the
door. Morgan volubly explained the at
fair TO the 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, II was my carelessness that plac-
ed me in such an embarrassing situation.
am extremely grateful to you for re-
leasing me-"
'cathy Rnowlesl Why this is great!
I'm glad"
Just then a shaft of light from sub
urban car again tunneled the darkness,
and Miss Knowles. cautiously looking be-
hind and grasping her skirt In one hand.
exclaimed: There's my car. must get
it."
Gently taking her arm and guiding her
over the mud puddles, Mr.. Amber said:
I'll 20 with you, IL you'll let me-"
Catching a Good night" waited to
them as the car moved on, the two patrol
men looked at one another and nodded
approval OF the outcome OF the adven-
ture.