Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-08-12
TheFISNler0LOve

II WAS Aneust AL Jay Wreck street
had painted IN the haot, and night
brought no relief Tho Nickel The
htfe was crowded Wreck street habi-
tauts leaned forward 10 catch sight of
Meg Foyerton pirouetting down the
stage Precipitation rolled down her
face, fitting Der biackeaei eyebrows.
and streazing her painted cheeks
There vas something ghastly in the
abandon with which she poised and
swayed before her vleebioated Wreck
street audience However. Meg was
not the chief attraction. Behind her
came child. years old. golden bair-
ed, blue eyed, beautinil and childlike
In spite Of her maAeip. It was her
part to mimic the mincing gait, hsRnt-
ing elbows and winking eye OF Meg.
s'Thats the .childi" calculated a
man. who looked az out Of place in
Wreck street as did his companion.
The latter termed eagerly. What
ehild7'' he asked. "I'm a reporter"
and he dug out card. Wallace
Reece, City Bagie."
if "It's not much Of a story smiled
the frat speaker. I'm an agent Of
the Wait Protection Society. The
ohild's parents have died within a
year, the mother ak months ago. This
Meg Foyerton PROCESSES to love the
child. aud wishes to possess her. The
manager had a contract for the child
with the parents lasting two years.
The father. tumbler. owed him
money, and since the Foyerton WON
an cannot pay the debt. the manager
refuses to release the child. The so
ciety sent me to investigate the case.
couldn't get behind the scenes. and
the woman sent word that she would
find other work as soon as they had
worked out the contract. and she'd
bring the child up differently, but
shed fight me to death before she
would agree TO separation"
Rather decent. of her, I should
think" commented the. reporter. The
agent shook HIS head ITS hard "a
ind motives. Is this a decent place
| Does she look a decent woman7" The
reporter shrugged his shoulders a,
/ the shameless exhibition on the stage
"Im doing Wreck street in the sum
mer for the Sunday supplement. It's
sickening business" Meg's voice
broke into a rasplng song. Il guess
i've got enough of this!" and he rose
to go.
A magic lantern behind the scenes
at the left was throwing colored hgnti
on the woman aud child. Suddeals
there was a hiss. a sharp report, ant
1imsy scenery was ahame. instantly
the house was In an uproar. ThS
audience fought tooth and nail for tn,
doors. The weak were roddea undsl
foot. the strong were pushed by th'
surging crowd 10 the exits. The re
porter a college athlete. by sheel
strength and grit, dragged the SOCIETY
agent to the door,
At first alarm. Meg caught up th'
child. Smoke choked them, tiame
were encircling the stage, One or tw'
performers. waiting behind the scenes
had gained the door at the right be
fore the FIRE cut OF escape. Severa
leaped into the lighting audience. Me-
knew with the child she had NJ
chance in that panic-Faging throne
Holding the child close, she ran N
the steps leading to the root. She gair
ed II safely. After her tTailed lon
length OF curtain rope. From the pave
ment. a crowd looking up the dizz
height saw her figure outlined agains
the flames She strained the neaIl
sufrocated child TO her breast. Lis
| r1t Ar
Der, was goin' to CULT as econ as "
could. Tell EN- to make you goo
woman. an give you a chance. Ca
you rememberG"
make me good give me chance.
moaned the child. Then the watehin
crowd cav sIeg make a moose OF til
ropes end. and slip it under Goldie
arms. She grOped her way to the edg
OF the roof. A cry went up from IN
throng Meg was letting Goldie dow
through hre and smoke. The TOP
had seemed long when she pulled
from the burning curtain. now
seemed terribly short Could the
reach Goldief Would the charre
strands bear her little weight? A fir
man ran up ladders. but the uncol
! scious child swung above him. The
he earned a medal Of honor by wor'
ing bis way along an ornaments
ledge, stepping on q eorniee anu cAtc
ing the child just as the rope buTae
through. He swayed a second Wi
, his burden. recovered his footing AZ
descended safely while Wreck stree
rang with cheers.
, For Meg there was no hope OF re
> cue. She stood erect, i61l in HI
face no i1l codld slTi.sl. and
, her heart "the flower o. love-" roots
, In squaior and shame, but blossomir
! undeiiled in sacrifice. She knew I
! hymn. no NeVins love song to carr
! her good-by 70 the child. Throuf
, the s..cSe and aane her voice raI
, out 70 the crowded sidewalk IN u
words Of a popular songs
Not because you're fair, dear,
, Not because you're true.
1 Not your golden hair. dear.
!, Not your Of blue"
! The asre T-7--ed her in CLOWN
embrace. The voice ehoked-stoppe
Then faintl$ came faltering woI
or two more:
4 "Because-beeause you're you"
A erashl The roof was gone. RAT
=. er-rather decent" choked the rspol
I er. The waif society agent could n
answer. In hiz arms was Go.die. al
|, her parched lips were repeating the
!, lesson. make ne good gfa =
, chance" LESLIE GEOaGiAN