Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-21


had already tild me, while she listened almost awe
struck at the latest scientific wonder.
We was looking about, trying to figure out just
where IL could be placed to best advantage, when
he approached the suit of armor
Il see you have brought It back and had II re-
paired" he remarked TO Aunt Josephine. Sud
denly his face lighted up. "Ah--an ideal" he ex-
claimed. mo one will ever think to look inside
that"
Now, Mrs. Dodge" he said finally, as he had
completed installing the thing and hiding the wire
under carpets and until it out to the con-
nection which he made with the telephone don't
breathe a word of ito any We don't know
whom to trust suspect"
II shall not" she answered by this time thor
oughly educated in the value of silence.
Kennedy looked at his watch.
i've got an engagement with the telephone
company now" he said rather briskly, although 1
knew that IL Elaine had been there the company
and everything could have gone hang for the
present. Sorry not to have Miss Elaine" he
added. as we bowed ourselves out, but think
we've got her protected now"
II hope So" sighed her aunt.
Elane's had stopped finally at a shop on
Fifth avenue. She stepped out and entered leav-
ing her chauffeur to wait
AS she did so, Dan and Billy sided along the
crowded sidewalk.
Dan the Dude left Billy and Billy surrepti-
tiously drew from under his coat dirty half loaf
Of bread With glance about, he dropped it into
the gutter close to the entrance to Elaines car.
Then he withdrew little distance.
When Elaine came out and approached her car,
Billy, looking cold and forIorn as could be- shot
forward Pretending spy the dirty piece of bread
in the gutter, he made dive for it, just as Elaine
was about to step into the car.
Elaine surprised drew hack BiIlv nicked nm
the piece of bread and with all the actions Of hav-
ing discovered treasure began to knaw at It
voraciously
Shocked at the disgusting sight. she tried to
take the bread away from him.
IT know it's dirty, miss" whimpered Billy
but it's the first food I've seen for four days"
Instantly Elaine was full of sympathy she
had taken the food away That would not suffice.
whats your name, little boy?'' she asked.
billy" he replied. blubbering
Where do you liver"
with me mother and father-theyre sick
nothing to eat
He was whimpering an address far over on the
East Side.
Get into the car" Elaine directed
AZ "Gee-but this is SWELL" he cried, with no fake,
this time
On they went through the tenement canyons,
lodging children and pushcarts. stopping first at
BrOcerb, tnen AZ a DutcherS ana a dellcatessen.
Finally the car stopped where Billy directed Billy
hobbled out followed by Elaine and her chauffeur.
his arms pied high with provisions. She was in
deed lovely Lady Bountiful as a crowd of kids
quickly surrounded the car.
In the meantime Dago Mike and Kitty the Hawk
had gone to wretched flat before which Billy
stopped Kitty sat on the bed putting dark circles
under her eyes with blackened cork. She was
very thin and emaciated but 1t dissipation that
had done It. Dago Mike correspondingly poorly
dressed.
He had paused beside the window to look out.
She's coming" ne announced finally.
Kitty hastily jumped into the rickety bed while
Mike took up a crutch that was standing idle in
corner. She coughed resignedly and he limped
about, forlorn. They had. assumed their parts
which we're almost to the burlesQue Of poverty
when the door was pushed open and Billy burst In.
followed by Elaine and the chauffeur.
"oh, ma-oh, pa" he cried, running forward
and kissing his parents, as Elaine, overcome with
sympathy directed the chauffeur to- lay the things
a shaky table.
God bless you, lady for benevolent angel"
muttered the pair. to which Elaine responded by
moving over to the wretched bed and bending down
TO stroke the forehead OF the sick woman.
Billy and Mike exchanged a sly wink.
Just then the door opened again. All
genuinely surprised this time. for prim. spick and
span. middle-aged woman entered.
Il am Miss Statistix. OF the organized charities"
she announced, looking around sharply. Il saw
your car standing outside, miss, and the children
below told me you we're up here. / came up to see
whether you were aiding really deserving poor.
Miss Statistic took a step forward, looking in
very superior manner from Elaine to the packages
OF food and then at these prize members OF the
Brotherhood. She snorted contemtuously.
''Why-wh-what's the matter?" asked Elaine,
fidgeting uncomfortably. If she were herself
guilty, in the icy atmosphere that seemed to
enveop all things
This man is gunman. that woman is a bad
woman, the boy is Billy the Bread snatcher." she
answered precisely, drawing out card which
to record something, 'and you. miss. are fool"
Kitty and Mike. accompanied by Billy. sneaked
out. Elaine now very much embarrassed, looked
about, wondering at the rapid-fire change. Miss