The Washington times., 1911-01-16
CHAPTER TX.

7 1 was toward o'clock of the day
before Thanksgiving-an after
noon of genial Crispness. The low
hung sun, visible in the tenement
districts only in west-reaching streets,
was softened to a ruddy disk by the
!ight November haze. Before the en-
trance to the clubhouse of the Mission
were maSSod two or three hundred
chlldren. Here was Ghildhood'S every
size: and here were rags and dirt
Well-worn and well-mended decency-
the cheap finery of pOverty's aris-
tocracy.
There was much pushing and elbow
ing in struggle to hold place or to
get nearer the entrance, and the ell
bowed and elbOwing pelted one an
other with high keyed words. But. on
the whole, theirs was a holiday mood {;
the faces. lighted by the red sunlight
ihat flowed eastward through the deep
street, were eagerly eXpeCtant
Across the way stood boy, near
the size of the largest children in the
crowd. He wore a red sweater, and
his hands rested in the pockets Of
baggy trousers, unanimously rolled
up at the bottom. He was watching
the nervous group with curiosity and
a species of crafty meditation in his
- Naming. black browed eyes. 1t was
I'm. Had David seen him there he
Ight have thought the boy had
lused for moment while out on an
Frrand for his employer: but if Tom
Twas on an errand, it was evidently
not one of driving importance for he
remained standing in his place minute
after minute.
Presently he crossed the street and
drew up to a beshawled girl, whose
black stockings were patched with
white skin
Hey. sister-what's de row. he
asked, giving her light jab with his
elbow.
She turned to him thin face that or
hpgn h11f
that was now QuCkened with excite
ment It's the children's Thanksgiving
party" she explained.
"NOt you wearin' out the pavement
for? Why don't you go in?'
yet"
Tom fell back and stood on the out
skirts Of the crowd, occasionally sliding
the tip of his tongue through the long
groove of his mouth, the same medita-
tive look upon his watChful face Soon
the door swung open and the crowd
surged forward to be halted by low,
ringing voice: Come, children. Please
let s all get into line first, and march
in order"
subdued air of wealth., appeared
through the door and marched down
the three steps and among the children.
The boys eyes closed to bright Sits,
his lips drew back from his teeth. The
next instant a third woman appeared
at the top of the steps-yOung, tall,
fresh-looking, gracefully dignified.
Amt she a queen Tom calculated
10 himself
she paused a moment and bent over
10 speak to a child, and the boy dis
covered that the rich, lOw-pitched voice
he had heard was hers. As she stood
so. the front of her tailored coat swung
open, and Tom caught a glimpse of
silver-mounted bag hooked with silver
clasp to her belt. A brighter CLEAN
sprang into his eyes.
She came down the steps, pushed IN
among the children, and with the other
two women began to form the group
INTO a double line. Tom, with quick
squirming movements. edged through to
the inner circle of the excited crowd,
in which she was tightly buried up to
her shoulders. At intervals he gave
sharp upward glances at her face; she
was entirely absorbed in making order
ed lines of this ENHANCEMENT. The rest
of the time his eyes were fastened on
her belt-waiting. Presently the chill
dren were thrown turbulently about her
by one Of those waves of motion that
sweep through crowds, and he managed
to be pressed against her, the left side
of his coat held open to shield on pos
sible eyes. His right hand crept oettly
forward under her cOat-found the bag
loOsened it.
But suddenly a Child's shoulder was
jammed against his closed hand. dTlv-
ing against the young Womans s SIDE,
and for an instant hOlClnS II CdpllNe
She glanced down and saw Toms arm.
Instantly her firm grasp closed about
the wrist and jeTked out the hand which
dropped the bag. Like fash Tom de-
liyered a blow upon her wrist. She
gave a sharp cry of pain, but her grip
did not break AS he struck again she
caught him about the wrist with her
free hand He jerked and twisted vio-
lently, but her hands had firm, out
of-doors strength. He was prisoner.
The startled cries of "Pickpocket"'
and Get a cop" sprang up in the
shrill voices of the children. The young
woman, very pale but composed, looked
sternly down at Tom. 80, young man,
I've caught you in the very act" she
said, slowly.
He looked sullenly at the pavement.
''What shall l do with you?''
Tom raised his shoulders. Oats your
biz" he answered gruffly.
Arrest him! They've gone for a
con-" shouted childish voices.
The young woman regarded him ST.
lently for moment. ''Of course YOU
expect to be arrested?" she demanded.
The boy sent up a quick glance. He
had discerned kindness in her face be-
fore, and for all its severity, kindness
was in it now. He dropped his head,
the sullenness seemed to go out of him.
and his body began to tremble. The
next instant his sleeve was against his
face, and he was blubbering.
You're sorry, are you? Don't You