Evening star., 1914-03-03

I'm all alone with him. Tell her she
got to come with me-
rs she-your wife," I asked.
Yes" said McCann. THAT is S she
was. A year ago she got the divorce.
Gave the kid to me. Said she never
wanted to see either of US again.
Her stage names Mildred May" he
called after me, as 1 went in and faced
the grim. old door man.
| The door man was bitterly sarcastic, as
became one in his position.
Take your place In the alley after the
show" he sneered.
But this is a matter of life and death, -
| | told him.
"Aw-ten it to the box office" he
grinned.
At that moment the press agent of the
| house happened along. and recognizing
my connection with a newspaper, hailed
me as a long-lost brother. 1 was quickly
admitted to the draughty wings and told
to walt until the girls" came off
| In moment the song ended and the
girls came stamping off to the accom-
paniment of a burst Of applause from the
dark auditorium. The press agent sig
nailed one from the painting crowd, and
the next moment I was being presented
to Miss Mildred May-very blond, very
painted, and very frail and thin looking
in that cold corner of the stage.
| 'McCann'S out there / began, and
then paused in wonder. For at the words
her face hardened like stone under the
paint.
80 he sent you." she sneered at me.
| He sent me to tell you this I re-
piled. It's Matt who wants you tonight
1t isn't McCann-it's Matt. The boys
dying at the City Hospitai-pneumonia
| 1 believe Mccain thought you would
| want to know it-would want to be at
| his side
She stood up and steadied herself with
a bare arm against the drop as she re-
| garded me.
so the kids all in said Mildred May
| We'll. it's the best thing that could hap
| pen to him, l guess. Ever see him, mis-
| ter? McCann's rotten blood in his veins
| an all McCann's rotten life in his eyes.
| Let him die. He had his fathers soul
| the soul of a rat.
| But he was yours. too. l suggested
Maybe she answered. listlessly. He
| never showed it if he was"
| Then you won't 90 to him?" asked.
| Mister said Mildred May. Il don't
| want you to think wrong of me for this.
You don't understand McCann is a dog
you know that if you've seen him. He
treated me as if l was his kind. Every
| day 1 got new dope on how rotten he was
| AN every day the kid got to look an
act more an more like McCann. If he
| hadn't 1 might have-but he was Mccain
| all over again.
| 1T amt that I've got no heart. It's
| just that I know McCann7san' the kid"
| Her voice trembIed. Poor little Matt!'
| she added, softly.
The chorus was gathering in the wings
| for a rush upon the stage. Already their
| professional smiles We're on their tired
faces. Mildred May turned to join them.
| IF Matt dies" she said, ''I'll be thank
full for it all MY life
! l saw her rush upon the stage, kick
up her heels and Smirk toward the dark
ness beyond. The babble Of girls voices
was in my ears as l joined McCann.
crouching in the alley.
He seized my arm. His face was ghast-
ly above the red tie.
She's not coming" l told him. Wed
better go to the hospital now.
The hospital loomed big and black in
the white night as McCann and l climbed
its great stone steps, An atten 1ant in
a spotless jacket, with the manner of
hotel clerk, received US. In answer to
McCanns unspoken question he sad with
professional calm:
mo change in the boy. He's making
good fight
"A game little sport, muttered 'SpatS,
game to the core"
The attendant told US that we must
wait on the first floor, and usht,ed US
INTO a cheerless room with few chairs,
a center table where a number OF -,;ata-
zines lay, and mantelpiece upon which
clock loudly licked. AS McCann reacned
a chair by the table his legs seemed to
give way, and he fell into it with a s-art-
ling thud
It's the smell of the dopa." he apolo-
gized. 1T always did get me-. An I'm
kind of weak i guess"
We sat in silence. The odor of drugs
that had got McCann filed the air.
Every now and then there was ii step
in the hall-quick, mysterious. The clock
licked loudly on.
/ McCann fumbled wirh the magazine.
Cod he murmured The Sanest lit
tie cuss you ever saw Many time l
Put it up to hm-there wasn't enough
money for both-which should it oe for
US, a burlesque show or supper An
t..1t. 7
made for him an we'd beat it fer the
white lights an the music. Yes. sir! An.
many time he took prize fight instead
of meal. Matt was good sport-an'
only kid
He rose unsteadiIy to his feet and tip
toed to the door. ''How's thiags up
stairs?' he called to the att >ndani.
Still fighting" said the white-jacketed
one.
McCann walked the floor
They take it COOL he said. Notice
how calm they take it? It don't mem
nothing to them, l suppose-1ust another
kid more or less.
There were sudden footsteps outside.
and the attendant threw oDe1 our door
| Wait in here, miss he said.
Mildred May stood scornful on the
threshold One bitter look she cast at
McCann. then, passing him. she went to
the table and sat down beside it.
so you came! He said you wasn't
coming
Il changed my mind.'' she replied. Il
i couldn't stand it. But l amt here to
talk to you
The matron cool. calm, smiling, came
| in and faced Mildred May. She took
the girls hands in hers.
so you're his mother" she said, kind
| ly. Come with me-
They went out, and McCannS s face
| twisted into bitter lines.
I've never had no chance he
| sniveled. ''Other men have been help
| ed-everything's against me. Did you see
| how she treated me? She hates ME. An
yet, I'm honest. No man ever lost a
dollar through me"
| There in the dreary, drug-steeped wait
ing room of the hospital he cuddled his
| last lonesome virtue.
Your Dads honest I've told him.
| Remember that, kid. Whatever else
the old man may be-he's honest
McCann leaped up and paced the floor
Il got to smoke he said; my nerves
gone.
His yellow fingers were fumbling with
| the cigarette when the attendant opened
| the door and beckoned him. "Spats"
| went out like a shot, and l was left
| alone in that dreary room, save for the
| almost human clock.
l walked to the table where lay the
| magazines hot hands had turned be-
| fore unseeins eyes. And there, promi-
| nent among them as became its staid
| respectability. lay the amiable old MONTH
| Iy representing which "Spats'' McCann
! had first flashed across my horizon.