South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-21

PLATOON OF the finest wheeled
"A out Of the station house and
I'M down Deshley street, their
CO brass buttons cleaning in the
light OF the sunset. Opposite the little
fountain OF the Cupid with the Clipped
nose and I'm front of Tim COurky's
saloon the platoon halted and saluted
the bent and twisted Widow OKeefe,
standing on her doorstep. Had not
the veteran Dan O'Keefe been the most
popular man on the force? In all his
life Dan had never made an arrest or
his own beat or on If he could help it
or made trouble for brother officer or
refused to lie for his friends.
Out OF the third story window leaned
a pair OF cleaning gums. surrounding
which was the pleasing. high cheek
boned face of the one who was known
solely as Marie Sergeant Clancy
stepped across to convey the time OF
day to the Widow O'Keefe. Sammy
O'Keefe, fine, tall boy with curly
head. came to the door and gripped the
hand OF Sergeant Clancy with the grip
of a man.
Suddenly the red gummed young
woman in the window frightened until
she gllstened and waved a rod hand
energetically, the Widow O'Keefe put
twenty additional wrinkles of joyous
welcome in her countenance, young
Sammy O'Keefe Strengthened a full
inch and plnked with pleasure. SER
.,oon1 Fsforor o,d %ho ,DIatoOr % tba
finest saluted and looked their rough
gentlest, and the last ray of the setting
sun shot across on the cracked nose
Cupid and Redeemed him into life.
A beautiful young girl had come
hurrying down from the corner. her
fur cap set jaunttly on her wavy brown
hair and a green tasseI dangling over
one ear She slackened her pace as
she came in sight of all these friends
and breathed q sigh of relief She
was safe here. And as if to reassure
herself she glanced back over her
shoulder. That had become a habit
with her Of late. The look of worry
swept instantly from her brow as her
big eyes turned shyly up to the stall
wart platoon. A friendly nod and a
radiant smile for each OF the big police
men, word OF inquiry for Pat Casey's
little Maggie. a wave OF the trinity
gloved hand TO Marie in the window.
sudden fash Of mischief as she primly
returned the salute of Sergeant Clancy.
pat on the hand OF Widow O'Keefe,
touch OF Silvery laughter for Sammy.
and she had hurried mp the stairs.
shes the sunshine of the precinct,
the darlin'," declared the Widow
0'Keefe.
shes a ladyr' announced Sergeant
Clancy with deep conviction.
III tell you somethin'" The widow
inclined her head confdentially. So
did Sergeant Clancy. So did Sammy.
she's hidin' from some one. God
bless herr
"Oh. is sheY' And the officer OF the
law glanced up at the third story win
dow. Ii was vacant Whoever it is,
they're no good"
They are not" And the Widow
O'Keefe collected all her wrinkles
about her lips.
"Shes safe here" asserted Sergeant
Clancy and, with a grin, jerked his
thumb over his shoulder toward the
stalwart platoon. She I'm the midst
OF her friends. Good evenin'. Mrs.
O'Eeefe. Good evenin sammy"
He strobe across the street Boys"
said he. "Our little friend up yonder
don't want 10 be found. Neither does
our friend Marie
AS one man the platoon glanced up
at the vacant third floor window and
nodded. and NJ the word OF command
they faced LETT and marched Then.
and not until then. officer Morgan and
Officer ToOle. the pair in front. dropped
cut Of the ranks and stood at attention
while the platoon passed between
them, and when the platoon had turned
The corner they wheeled. Side by side
they marched into Tim COurky's
saloon.
Good evenin'. boys. And what can
do for your asked Tim COurky.
a glass OF water. Tim" said Moran.
The same for me. Tim" said officer
TOole
Its fine evenin'." said Tim Courlxy.
and on the bar he set q large glass OF
foaming yellow water for Officer Nor
an and a small glass Of rich brown wa
ter for Officer Toole.
Marie az that moment was brushing
the shining hair OF her beautiful young
mistress. and both were happy in that
occupation.
Poor dear Ned How June did long
for him. But he must be patient, IS