The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-06-14

fool at would have When YES sorry f'r il,
Iemme know and therewita lie stepped out
to a passing car, swung aboard and was gone.
Well-wha' dyuh know about that y
Martin asked himself bewildcred ard pres
enty grew aggrieved Eddie had failed him
friendship had Jailed him 1t vas despera-
ton, sheer. that drove him TO the next step:
he went to the Real Estate parsonage whose
name had worked such magic applied for
the coveted position and was made wiser BY
fun knowledge Of the difference between that
successful gentleman drunk, and ditto, sober.
Daily that week moreover. he suffered the
humiliation Of the incompetent job-hunter;
but there was nothing for it but to try Eddie
Nellgan again.
He chose Sunday, Eddie had more
leisure on that day, and the strain Of worry
over the boy would be well past. Moreover,
the year was ending this was its last Sun
day; and Ellen was beginning to wonder that
no day had been set The prospect was
showing nearer and uglier that he would have
to tell her tell Ellen.-the truth. He
needed Eddie desperately: and il was the last
straw that Eddie shouldn't be at home. No
body was at home
In gust Of temper he gave the door
mighty kick ard RAJ. ais1 bao turned to tn,
stairs, when someone scuffed heavily across
the floor Of the Gutnann Kitchen and opened
the door. 1t was Nina, Otto's wife, and his
double.
COON herein she called. &. hal some
very goot coffee then stopped. Marin
twitched his hat Of md on, briefly
How DIDO, Mis- Gntnanna flis B7een-
D'yuh know where Eddie is3 Nlinna Gut
mann did not answer at once; but then she
and hurry were ever hostile.
Ettie Nelliga" She repeated finally, he
Il fought YOU lyss Rosie COON back. She
hass been longer time gone She
hass been to Elite. He iss py der hospidlc
gone"
"Hhdt2v
"Yah-dis morning only. Idiss dos pneu
monyah he catehesn
Martin fell back 10 the Nclliga7 door and
leaned against IT, his hand dropping to the
knob where Eddics hand had held that Sun
day Of the boys taking
Which hospii1?" he asked Minna
shook her head
6 done know Rosie coot tell--she iSs
gone dere. Mebae YOU viii COON see her
soons" 1t was t.ntative. Martin nodded.
oAyuh-you tell her so. III 60 try look
him UP. Much obge, Mis- s'p AS he
pushed himself away from tbs door, the final
movement Jared something loose within
something that fell to the wooden floor with
an unmistakablc click. Il was the key In
side For an instan they stared
then Martin whipped about. ratified the knob,
beat on the panels and called, Rose-Resiel
Rose Nelliganlp There was no answer.
He looked back. uncertainty, at Minna Gut
mann. She had covered her mouth with her
apron and her ewes were frightened He
bent to the keyhole and shifted in the next
movement was up. hat and coat of, and she
had caught them from him; and he thuddsd,
shoulder first, AGAINST the panels Once,
twice flung himself furiously the third time,
and smashed in. The taint of gas was
stronger
First, from that closed inner room, he
brought Eddie's babies to slinna; then, after
gulp OF air, was in again and out, dragging
Rose, who strovc against him with what con-
sciousness was left her. There was another
run in to turn of the gas-open windows; and
then work
Little Eddie Nelligan came alfse first
deathly sick but it took fearful while to
make sure Of the flicker OF breath in the girl
baby's body. It was done at last though
the need OF doctor and dread OF arrest past;
and then, zeal OF saving life over, the meaning
Of it-what it must mean-came to Martin
Breen Rosie lay on the lounge where he had
put her, an arm over her ewes, her bps blue,
and such OF her pale little face as he could see
drawn with nauscc He went out, abruptly,
muttering that he must fix the broken door
What he wanted was to be by himself
He shut the windows, through which the
snow was driving, lighted the gas in the Mel
ligan kitchen, and sat down BY the table TO
think So that had been the matter
with Eddie with his pal Eddie
He took his tongue between his teeth and bit
till the burt Of il angered him. Think he
must but for the living himself had
brought Fddie's wife and babies back to what
life would be for them; and, in all the world,
he knew there was none save himself to help
them face il. II was there that he broke out
and cursed, alone as he was cursed, blackly
and briefly, the craven within him that asked
why he shodld take the burden Of it sneering
that only fool would saddle himself with an
other mans dropped cares when his own
were so pressing and 50 dear And but for
thai once, the craven was not heard even TO
whisper. What he conceived 10 be
duty Martin Brsen faced to the full. and &c.
cepied, in The half hour he took ior his own.