Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-08

a little and tried to choke him.
Finally she got to talking about old
the things I used to do for her. and
blamed II she didn't ask me to run
on with her right there and then. But
l said guessed I wasn't good enough
for e, her: not to mention the fact her hus.
feaze her bit. she went right on until
the boy came in to tell her It was time
for the kid and her to go on.
Say. you ought to have seen that kid:
It was the daintiest, prettiest little thing
that ever happened. When Nellie brought
that kid UP to the box TO see mo and It.
put Its arms around my neck and struck
me for nickel. ] wilted and stood pat
to do anything that included It.
couldn't let 1t get away from mel want
ed to hold 1t. and keep 1t. and Il seemed
80 easy after what Nellie said.
But couldn't figure how 1 could turn
the trick without playing It low down
on John Cameron. and I didn't have any
call to do that. He won Nellie fair and
square on my deal. and II he had stacked
the cards on her since. it wasn't any
business Of mine: but he wasn't giving
right there l calculated was where I
came in.
Il let that idea simmer in my head a
little while to be sure II was right, and
straight talk you gave me about wanting
me to take you out of this and away
from John? Do you mean itr DO I
mean it, she says. Why. Tom Graham.
come in here and ask me to GO with him
wouldn't wait to get my hat
Your hand is good Nellie / says:
put m sorry you showed your cards.
NOW all got to say is this: I amt got
as much money as you think have, but
can take care Of you all right. You
won't ever be Nellie Francis to me again
.uon forget that-but IL you really want
TO go 1t will be giving the kid a chance
SO guess l will have to call you Now
you are talking, Tom: I'll turn a trick on
John cameron this time that will make
MS head swim. look like a Pluto suuaw
90 l! wonder what he will look like
When ne nnds out I'm gone? Just you be
morning, and l will meet you there all
right enough And the kid I saws.
Inc Kid? she says looking kinder funny.
On: that's all right: I'll attend to her.
waiting for Nellie. BY and by Nellie came
out all alone. She grabbed my arm and
says; MY, but I am glad to see you.
rom. Let's hurry. Johns awful drunk.
and ne Is looking for me-
Where's the kid? I saws. Never
mind the kid she says. DO come on:
don you hear him calling for me" Yes,
put l do mind I says; I have got to
We don't want it, .'Taint yonrs-W what
40 you mean? Whose is it" says feeling
a ing, SICK. Wen, II you Amt the worst
n it:s Liz s Godd said; II you must know.
IKE fool that IL she died I would take
care OF IT. and then blamed II she didn't
die-wasn't that luck for your L don't
now. and IL you want to go with me Won,
better skip back and get it Then she
fared up In style. Tom Graham she
says. You are a fine specimen. ain't youo
Nnrrna
my husband and all the time it amt me
fyou want. but kid that you never saw
before In your life. Well. I always thought
You were hs., fool 70 IAN, and now know It am
De abused by him than worshiped by
you He may drink a little sometimes,
but he's gentleman. he is
door in my fae e After ao ' whle as shf
was standing there thinking the thing
over and despising myself. heard a
cracking noise. I looked up at the roof
on fire.
For a second was paralyzed. and be-
fore I could give an alarm the people
them nsae Maine r Rushing 0u Among
a sign of the baby. I caught her by the
arm and tried to shake some sense into
her muddled head. Answer quick I say.
Is Sadie?' Sadie.-Sadie.' she says, brac-
ing up and looking at me- Sadie. she Is
upstairs sleeping on the sofa in the wine
room What shall I do? What shall I
rush for the door, when a big fireman
threw his arms around me and held me
back. Hold on, pardner. hold on; don't
y0I eond &c IN an action on
Nellie rush by us into the house. We'll.
what do you think of that?' says my
fireman friend Amt that just like a
Ing me again as I tried to follow. One
at time is enough; you won't see her
any more Just then the door began to
knew to dead certainty that it was all
up with Nellie and the kid Well. sir. I
cried-I couldn't help 1t. After while.
as I stood there. kinder dazed and help
out Of the door holding in It's arms q
bundle. 1t fell gasping, at my feet. 1t
was Nellie. but SO burned and blackened
that for a moment | hardly knew her; !
I says. Nellie. do you know me Are
old Tom; brought Sadie to YOU Tell me.
unrolled the smoking petticoat and
found the little girl choked and singed
some, but unhurt She is safe and sound.
Nellie said. and you win be all right.
Tom she said. motioning me to cone
nearer to her. I am going to make a die
of 1t this time. I want to tell you some
thing before / go. and L want you 70
promise me something-it's about Sadie.
lied to you when I said she didn't be-
long to me. She Is my child-and his
and now he is dead, and I am going to
die. too. I want you to care for her ana
bring her up as your very own. You VIII.
won't you?'"
~ said YES and sat there holding her
hand and / never knew she was dead
until TIE doctor came around and said so
'sWel guess that's about all; ! saw
to everything, and then put Sadie In the
convent. where they will look after her
ali right until I can buy that ranch and
then I am going to take the Kid down
there to live so she may grow up pu,
and good. and be the woman God lntenoen
Nellie should be-
(THE ENID,