The Washington herald., 1913-11-16

unIeered-
You're onp' said Brian.
TIL have word with you about the
case, remarked the doctor, beckoning
Mrs. Casey into the tent
'Twenty-seven acres Of ripe tin cans
and the happiest tribe o. flies I ever
metz Brian unused, as he hunted up an
old shovel and began digging q trench
TO bury the litter in the yard
The doctor administered an opiata To
the mother and left her sleeping. The
two visitors, assisted by the small boy,
performed the labors of Hercules In max
ing the place habitabIe. Brian held the
baby in various attitudes, while Mrs.
Casey washed clothes and the boy turned
the wringer. Then Mrs. Casey would
snatch the baby from imminent death
and set Brian to sweeping. repairing
holes in the tent. and splicing the clothes
line Mrs. Casey. feeding the baby from
bottle. layished upon It a thousand
endearing terms in q voice no mortal had
ever heard her use before.
Gee! you can talk the language" said
Brian admiringiy.
'Th' pity av IT," sighed Mrs. Casey.
Her a-layin' there starvin' In tn midst
av threasures!"
Them that has amt got" he phil
osophized.
III was rich, what a home I could
give these chI'der an ther maj" She
pressed the baby savagely against her
shoulder.
You'd be richer n Hetty II you sold
your lots" Brian hinted.
Yes. Am IL I cut on me feet I could
walk on me hands" she smiled Then.
as the child began to double its fists and
pucker its nose: Hoosh, darlint chunk ay
moonbeami Jornny, there's a good boy,
run an put another bit sy wood In tn
shtovei"
They had supper on a box under the
pepper trees. The doctors medicine came
from the village, and. as the moon rose
over the sage, the invalid awoke long
enough to take q little broth.
He was good to met" she babbled as
she fen asleep.
''Shpeakin' av 'er husbandr' said Mrs.
Casey, tears on her black lashes
Brian took a list OF household necessi-
ties required in town; then he went over
to his car and Lit the headlights. When
he returned to the tent he saw Mrs.
Casey's massive form crouching on a
block of wood In the door. One hand
rested protectingiy on the cracker-box
where the baby had been put to sleep.
The little girl also slept. her blonde,
rather homely little face resting against
arguing the subject Of bicycles, man
fashion
Johnny. see how fast you can run
over to the car and find my gloves" said
Brian. Then, when he was out of hearing,
Mrs Casey,n he whispered. do you
know why you're hereF'
Yer car-r-r busted down an"
'1t busted accidentally on purpose" he
confessed. I've got you on this job be-
cause it's your last call to the kinder
garten. Do you want to help these kids.
or don't you?'
Mary Mother knows how I want tor
MARY Mother wants you to have 'em,
Mrs. Casey. But you're blind and stub
born woman-now don't blow up TIL 1
finish my spiel Spite the memory OF
Oscar Hansen you're making yourself
and every one else miserable. II you did
the right thing by these purps, you could
send that boy to college-either Yale or
Business; you could buy those two babies
silk petticoats. give their mother a home
with all the refinements from Paris to
pianola- But no! You prefer to raise
hens"
lifting the sleeping girl.
Brian promptly unfolded typewritten
paper before her eyes.
This is an option on your property,
sale price $4,000. Sign here, please. To-
night / can offer 1t to any one of
twenty dealers"
"will they take it?"
'"will a cat steal fish, Brian shook
out fountain PEN
For me babiesT' whispered Mrs. Casey.
as she kneIt under the candle light and
affixed her scraggly signature.
She was silent like the southern stars
Brian out to the car. He took
his place at the wheel
BE tn way, what's tn name o. that
sick woman in there?' she asked in a
low tone.
shes the widow of Oscar Hansen
said Brian distinctly.
Gods willI' whispered Mrs Casey as
she turned away. The little girl, half
threw her arms around the big
neck.
Lights glimmered from bedroom win
dows in a prosperous residence district
0f San Bruno as Brian stopped his car
in front of a white stucco villa and rang
At the oaken door.
who's there?" the voice of c. W.
grated from above.
"B. B. Blaney's my name and every
B in it stands for Business" the voice
from below bubbled.
Cant your business wait till tomor-
-owT'
Sure. You're the one that's got to get
a move on" Brian started to stroll
away.
Hey I'll be down.
The Big Booster himself opened the
ioor. He wore pink pongee pajamas.
What's the fool proposition how?" He
'ubbed his eyes.
"A ten-day option on Mrs Caseys
property, at two hundred and fifty thou
announced Brian in a small, tired voice.
"Whatp' Ketchum's hands clutched
imaginary values. Sell II to met
Its got strings on 1t. OF man. You
xnow what i told you the other day
I'd smoke you out OF your property
'efore you smoked the widow out Of hers
Well, here comes the tar-boiler!'
What do you mean?"
'Tll sell you this option dirt cheap.
provided you're a good boy and do what
say. L want you to sit down and write
letter to the Park Board, Offering that
ark strip for 5000"
Its an outrage.' said ketchum.
Sure 1t Is. The strips only worth
hree."
Ketchum went to desk and wrote
he letter to the board.
I'm take it with me- said Brian,
eaching for the letter. The board meets
omorrow at ten. III get Robbins &c
ush It through, and when the bill OF
ale is in my hands, I get my commits