Evening star., 1914-12-06

blin1tin googoos out of his puffy eyes:
and then there me, draped in near English
top coat and watchn the swing doors expectant.
So YOU see thev amt particular who hangs cut in
these department vestbules But I'll bet l had
the best excuse. l waitin for Vee She'd gone in
at fve-twenty-one sayn' she'd be only couple of
minutes; she want really due for half hour yet
The commuter with the sled had just been picked
up by WHY, loaded down with more bundles, and rushed
off for the fve-fortysomething for Somewhere, and
recruit in the shape cf fsh-eyed gink with
doubechin dimpe had drifted in, when has the eelin
that has sided up me from the far door at
the left and standin there. Then the tmid hail.
Il beg pardon. Sir"
You'd naturally look for somebody special after that
wouldn't you? But what finds close to my elbow is
a wispy little girl with pinched, high-strung look
her thin face, amazin collection of freckes, and
peadin look in her big bluegray eyes, She's costumed
mainly in a shaggy tam-o' shanter that comes down
over her ears, and an old plain cape that must have
been some vivid in its color scheme when it was new.
"Eh, Sister, says |, gawpn' at her.
as it true about the work papers, Sr?' says she.
"The which?' says l, not gettin her for second
"Oh! Work papers? Sure They can't take you
unless you're fourteen and have been to school so
many weeks
"Not anywhere? Wouldn't they?" she insists.
shakes my head. "Wouldn't dare, says 1. "Theyd
be fined if they did.
"Th-thank YOU, Sir saws She "Thats what the
said
She winkin' both eyes hard to hold the brine
back, and her under lip trembly but she keep
in her chin up brave and steady She'd turned go
when she swings around.
"Please, Sir SAYS she, "where does go when one
is tired?7
~Why, Sis" says 1 sort of q1izzin "whats the mat
ter with home?"
"But if one has nohome?" shecomes backat solemn
"The being that of little GIRL says I, "she
wandes around until she's collected bya cop turned
the Childrens Society," and committed to home"
"But l mustn't so there says she, gancin around
scary. 4No, not to home. Daddums said not to-"
Did eh?" says l. "Then why don't he By the
way, just where is Daddums?7
Taken up says she.
"You mean pinched?" says I.
Il think So. says she. Cook says the boobies came
for him. He left word with her that wasn't to WORRY
as he'd be let out soon and stay where was
Three weeks ago that was and-and l haven't heard
from Daddums since
"Huh" says l. Listens like case of circumstances
which But where did you pick up that trick of
speakin' of coppers as bobbies?7
Il beg pardon, Sir?" says she.
THAT tells it, says l. English, amt you?'
London Sir Brompton Road says she.
Been long?' says I.
"a matter of three months Sir, says she.
@And what's the name?7 says 1.
"Aline?" says she. "Helma Allston. And yours,
please, Sir?"
1 want loo<in' for her to send it back so prompt
She amt all fresh about it, you know just easy and
natural don't know when I've run across youngster
with such nice manners.
why, says l, Il guess you call me Torchy."
THANK you, Mr.. Torchy," says she, don' little
dancin school duck @And if you don't mind I'd like
toto stay here for or two while think what
I'd best O-o-o-oh' She sort of means out this last
pancly and shrinks against the wall
well what's the trouble now?7 say I.
THAT one!' she whispers husky. @rhe-the man in
the blue cap-the who told about the work
papers. He said to clear out too"
And by follown' her scared gances discovers this
lOWbrOW store s1euth scOWlin 1ply at her