South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-22

fS1S-Sti man was coming IN.
EZk=&<2AAH and had already
sent word to the
shoe shop that one OF their old hands
had returned. after a years absence. and
the contractors had said they would take
him on Il did not take long for the
news to spread through the shop that
Coleman was back again
When the arrival of a prisoner attracts
more than usual attention II is due 10
one OF two things: ne has done some
thing out OF the common. or be has been
something out or the common when
was IN prison before. Coleman belonged
10 the latter class. He was man OF
more than ordinary intelligence and abil-
~ but his talents seem 10 have been
early misdirected He was one OF those
unfortunates for whom nature has done
enough; education and training. nothing.
He was tall and goodlooking and had at
tracted the attention OF a number OF peo-
pie who had told him, In a sermonizing
sort OF way. that he could have risen TO
distinction IN almost any honest calling
ne might select: but. as he often re-
marked. none OF them had offered him a
fob 20 start with. He had always ex-
pressed himself as willing TO lead an
honest life. but his want OF education
handicapped him and he had never been
able to find footing in a business which
ne could follow with a feeling that 1t
would eventually lead TO something worth
his while. II was only lately that he had
hit upon a more promising pursuit than
those that lead TO prison
The hrst hint OF II was given him by a
girl. He had met her at a public picnic
in the early summer. when he had money
and wore good clothes. They had sort
OF quiet Irritation for an hour OF so. and
ne had about made up his mind to speak
10 her when she was Joined by man
named Corbett. whose father was a po-
lice captain. and who knew too much OF
CoIeman's history to make him desir-
able means OF introduction. Instead OF
putting himself in her way and trying to
attract her attention Coleman now went
10 the other extreme and did his best
to avoid her As Corbett had not seen
him yet. he thought it might be best
TO leave the place altogether and hope
70 meet her again some time. under other
circumstances What he wanted to meet
her az all for. he did not exactly know,
but there was something about her that
held him some sort OF subtle magnet
ism that made hin stay.
She was not what you would call a
beauty but she was one OF those who
seem TO have lust missed It. The swing
Of the head was Irish. but the eyes were
brown. The chin was broad and ro1 I'd.
and the mouth was firm and full The
hair was not as black as it seemed TO
De 10 looked lack because Il was tied
round with a narrow little red ribbon.
but it had in it that peculiar brownish.
reddish streak visible only in the sun
light. which marks the woman OF the
warm eonhding nature that can keep a
secret
Coleman could not get her out OF his
thoughts. no matter how much he kept
out of her way He was strolling aim
lessly along one OF the walks with his
hands in his pockets and his eyes on the
ground when he suddenly found himself
face to face with the girl and her COM
panion- There was no avoiding the in
PRODUCTION which the man seemed rather
rather TO insist upon Ten minutes later
Katie Mccormack had taken possession
OF Coleman and she kept him for the
rest OF the afternoon
During the following weeks things went
along as such things usually go For the
first time in his life Coleman was sin
cerely sorry that he could not speak
freely about his past and had 10 keep
quiet about his future. COrbet. soon saw
that Katie had lost any interest that she
might have had in him and that she
talked about nothing but Coleman, so he
thought Il was about time for him to say
something before things went too far.
he began by limiting. but Katie cut him
very short and insisted that he should
| say right out what he had to say about
Coleman or keep his mouth shut. This
brought out the whole truth like flash.
but Katie Mccormack had gone too far
to let Coleman go without a struggle
now. The next time he called 20 see her.
she shut the door behind her and stood
with her back 10 il. She had made up
her mind 10 say something savage. but
her words would not come.
7 want you 10 tell me the truth. Tom"
What have Z lied about?"
silence is sometimes worse than lies.
bur We Won't Vrangle about that now.
Tell me the truth Tom. You know me
well enough by this time to trust me.
don't you2"
. Il suppose Corbett has told you all ne
knows. What do YOU want me to say?
THAT he's a liar?"
she did not answer and he did not look
al her lie reached for his hat as Il to
81
'-ou have been very good TO me right
siong Katie and you will have 10 keep
Z up long enough 10 forgive me for hav-
ng deceived you. couldn't help IL. lit
ne girl" be went on. looking at her for
ne FIRST time All the girls I have
Known have been a tough lot. have
cad about your kind in books. but they
lonfr grouv IN bushes Won sill have 70