Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-08-30
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
Don't be afraid" said Celestia
calmly. Il won't hurt you"
And that was almost the last thing
enat FTeddie's vaguely working mind
expected her to say. She" he
thought, ought to be afraid OF me. /
an . man; she 10 a girl. ! have q
club; she hasn't. | am to take her
to Sweetzer. dead or alive. l can
crack her head like an egg. So why
does she tell me not to be afraid?
Why does she say she won't hurt me?
Maybe she's got a gun. Maybe she
knows something"
All the while her magnificent, com
passionate eyes held him spellbound.
He heard something fall heavily to
the floor. He looked to see what I
was. II was his club. He tried to
pick II up. but seemed TO lack the
necessary muscular control.
b your name?" asked
Celestial.
Freddie Douglas"
do you belong In this house,"
"Yes. ma'am."
Then We must be friends. because
belong here. too"
you going to live with u.s."
Celestial nodded.
Honor bright" smiled Celestia.
Honor bright" asked Freddie sus-
piciously.
II was then no longer necessary for
Freddie TO take sudden action. II
Celestial Was going TO live on in the
same house II would be a simple mat
ter 1t some more propitious moment
(when che wasn't looking at a fellow.
for. instance) to turn her over to
Sweater.
Nevertheless, 1t seemed to Freddie
that the matter-required thought. and
he slunk on to think. 1t required time
and luck. He had less good luck al
thinking than at anything, else.
His proposition was TINS: Sweetzer
had paid q thousand sidQllars for
Celestia and had lost her. He had
said to Freddie in effect. Get her
back. There's money in IT," How
much money was there in it? Sup
pose there vas so much. how could
freddie turn II into more? Probably
Qrs. Baxter. would also pay money
to know what had become OF Celestia.
Freddie knew that his father needed
more money to pay the rent. and the
bright spots in his brain began to
work.
First he went. to Sweetzer.
Well" said Sweetzer.
Il shouldn't wonder; said Freddie,
III was going TO find her. got
q clue"
Good"
How much money is there in it,"
"A dollar"
Freddie simply smiled q sad little
smile. turned on his heel and started
to walk away.
Hold on Freddie; | was kiddin'
you"
You mustn't kid me. II drives me
crazy. shouldn't wonder II ! could
ind her for'-his lips trembled at
their " audacity-"ifty."
Sweaters face did not even show
surprise.
you take me where she is" he
said. and Ill 90 you the fifty.
A dull spot on Freddie's brain tried
10 make him say All right, come
along" but a bright spot suddenly
INTERVIEWED and made him say instead:
'All right, ] find her sure.
Next Freddie went TO Mrs. Bakers
home. A taxicab was drawn up at
the curb and the front door was aJar.
Freddie simply walked into the house.
There were voices In the front par
lor. Freddie simply stepped to the
portieres, which served the front par
lor N a door. and stood. listening.
$50 help me God. | have told the
truth," Mrs. Baxter was saying. n
Freddie judged she was crying.
go help me Gawd-Mister-M Mister
-wbst did you say your name was"
Barclay"
mr.. Barclay. | wouldn't worry II !
was you. She came TO no harm with
me. and I'm as bad as they make EN-.
Look here" said Tommy. What
would you do in my placer
.rd offer big money for news Of her.
Money acts quicker than lightning
Why, said Tommy, I'D ave q
thousand dollars just to know that
she was safe"
freddie. the ferret, stepped into the
room from between the portieres.
she's SAFE" he said. with nne
dramatic instinct.
sSafe." cried Tommy. Where Is
abe? You've e e her? Who Is TINS
young man.
Hes called Freddie the Ferret
said Mrs. Baxter. because he often
Suds things that other people can