Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-11-03
CHAPTER XII.

Il
CHAPTER XII.
Losing the Shadow.
YAWKINS had the entire after
7 noon In which to wear out the
I'LL patience Of his shadow. BE
nude his way to West street
and the North river wharves. Although
he was old and bent, he still had
abundant strength In his long arms
and in his massive shoulders. He went
from pier to pier looking for a chance
to put in q couple Of hours at work.
He found the chance at the foot Of
Warren street. where he was given
three hours work unloading trucks.
At half past 8 o'clock Hawkins was
paid 81 by his foreman. he slipped
into his coat and started away to give
the hound behind him chance to
show his ability In shadowing.
The rush hour was on and Man
hattan's millions were packing sub
ways, elevated and surface cars and
crowding the bridges. The sky scrap
ers gushed forth seemingly endless
streams Of humanity. To the space In
front Of the World and Tribune build
ings. Hawkins made his way. lodging
| to right and left as he Travelled across
the northward current. His shadow
had to close In on him to keep him
in sight They were not more than
three feet apart when Hawkins enter
| ed the World building.
The fox passed through the build
ing to North William street and dis
appeared In the gloom Of the third
riverward arch Of the old bridge. The
hound plunged after him. They emerg,
ed from under the bridge ut Rose street.
and the fox turned south to Frankfort
street. Turning to the east. he start.
ed rs II for the river, hanging close to
the bridge arches. Suddenly the fox
disappeared.
The hound had Just left Rose street
and had turned east also. Not seeing
his quarry, he hurried his steps, keep
ing his eyes shifting from one side of
Frankfort street to the other.
The hound gave last glance up and
down Frankfort street and then plung-
ed into Pearl street. twisting like
python. crowded with homeward hur-
rying thousands and made darker In
the dusk of falling evening because OF
the shadows Of the elevated structure
and the great bridge overhead.
The fox was gone! He had doubled
On his tracks and was hack In North
William street. only few hundred
feet from his pursuer. but hopelessly
lost to him. In short TINE he reach
I'd Corlear's Hook park. Here he
found Deefy's saloon. so called be-
cause the owner was deaf and dumb
Srd his patronage was from those sim
iiarly afflicted. 1t was place Of silent
refreShnent. The probationer entered
the saloon by the Family" entrance
and took his seat at table In q tiny
room back Of the bar. In the sign Ian
guage he ordered from a deaf and
dumb waiter bowl of stew and cup
OF coffee.
he found a newspaper and made
himself comfortable In this secure
nook until the coming Of Boston Ed.
Promptly ut II o'clock the man with
the birthmark under his left eye show
ed his face in the door OF the little
room back of Deefy's bar.
"Bill." he whispered. wide grin
spreading over his homely and splotch-
ed countenance.
"Yes."
"She's outside"
Hawkins jumped to his feet
"Set still, BILL" commanded Boston
Ed" 81 got it fixed with Deefy. You
two can have the room all to your
selves for awhile. He understands.
You can talk all you want. Bill. I'll
keep an eye on the door and sip a
couple of branRigans."
He withdrew his head. and In a few
moments a woman was showed into
the little room and the door banged
tight behind her.
The sunken eyes Of the old proba'
tioner seemed to he suddenly covered
with haze Tears flowed down his
| cheeks. His long arms were out
stretched.
"Jennie!"
The woman, slender, tired creature,
with the marks Of years Of physical
| toll upon her. sobbed. She tried to
| advance to the outstretched arms. but
her legs refused to move.
"Bul! At last, at lastr
The words came from her brokenly
as the breast under her plain black
waist heaved convulsively. Her body
began to sway. and he sprang to her
and took her in his arms.
When the Joy Of this world weary
couple. sadly mingled with grief. had
been spent they sat close together at
the table, clasping each others hands.
"rm a different man. Jennie" said
Hawkins. I'm different man. The
faith Of God has come to me-"
"How did you get 1t. Bill7" she asked
eagerly.
'They sent up boy for life. and he
was innocent" he told her. "The boy
never done q wrong thing. The cops
nut It on him. But he never fickered,
and be prayed every morning and
night. I helped him escape. and now
he wants me. I'm going to find him
and End out II he needs any more
help"
She pressed his hands In her own
when he paused.
II thought of our own boy who would
a. been bis age" be went on. II got
to love him, he was that kind and gen
tie. He was always thinking OF bis
own poor old mother. and she died
without seeing him after they sent him
up."
"Poor Iadr'
Eyes, but he was brave one."
"And they gave You a probation
BMT
"Yes, but only SOS they could follow