The Dolores star., 1916-04-07
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
(cooyrisAa b. BsShs-MsssiiI ca,S

Il
Pedro had met in the grimy little sub.
urban square was the present smiling
and prosperous l. Lovejoy. who
beamed. who laughed. who pressed
his best viands upon them. True, he
was still very fat-fAtter than ever
but the world had gone well with him.
and he seemed to have used his smil-
ing likeness on the wagons exterior
! - an example to be lived up to.
We'll. we'll! What brings you way
on here?" he asked. when they had
eaten.
| For . moment Pedro hesitated. and
then. looking into the honest. red face,
decided to give his confidence and re-
lated the cause Of their sudden appear
ance in the wilderness of the Jersey
docks.
"Yop don't say!" said the fat man.
who had listened with great interest
and attention. You don't say! Why.
! seen the very Teller! A likely -lookin'
chap he was. too-and q friend of my
girls"
Really What good fortune!" cried
Pedro. And then Lovejoy went on to
describe the meal that Hill had eaten
| with him.
And what are you a-goin' to do
now?" he concluded.
Il don't quite know" admitted Pc
dro. but what you have told us makes
| me sure that we are on the right
track. We might keep on going
through the saloons near by"
The fat man looked thoughtful for
q moment, scratching his head in ST.
lence. Then: "Lookey here!" no
burst out, them low-down money-get.
tin dives are no ladies' cafes. and It
amt safe to wander round EN- 'cept
in company. Now like you-you done
for me what can't repay. but I'll have
a try. I'm a-goin' to lock up this place
and I'm a-goin' with you"
Good" exclaimed Pedro, holding
out his hand. you are-what does one
say-a brick! Isn't he, Beau-Jean, eh?
But It is not necessary. and I beg that
you will not disturb yourself"
"Twont disturb me none," said Mr..
LoveJoy. land liked that young fell
Ter. hate to think he may be a-lyin'
dead and cold In some wine-cellar,
pierced through the heart with dag
ger. or a hatpin. maybe. I'm a-goin'
ter help you revenge him. yes. II l
lose money by 1t, by jingo!"
Il beg that you will do nothing to
make yourself a loss!" cried Beau
Jean. who did not relish the prospect
Of this addition to their party.
Although every fifty cents lost
keeps me just that much further from
my Lola" said Lovejoy solemnly, I'm
a-goin' to make the sacrifice this
time"
Wherewith. he concealed long
bread-knife In the inner pocket of his
overcoat, and, extinguishing the light,
announced that he was ready for &C.
ton.
Where now?" asked the giant, as
the three, followed, Of course, by Mr.
Jones, strobe out into the night.
There's Beer Peters," suggested
the new member. have you tried
there?"
NO." responded Pedro, where is
it,"
Follow me-" directed Lovejoy, Its
q likely place"
They set of at once. and trudgod on
in silence until a low frame building,
abutting on the river and built par
TALLY on piles, was reached. Pushing
open the felt-covered doors, Lovejoy
paid for their entrance, and in an
other moment they were in the long,
low-ceilinged room that formed the
main portion of the building. A devas-
tating odor rushed out to meet them,
like blast from some evil furnace.
The place was blue with tobacco
smoke, and at the far end, beyond q
sea Of little tables. girl was singing
| to the accompaniment of a cracked
piano.
At one end Of this charming resort,
which was typical enough of its class,
stood the glittering bar with a shining
array of glasses, mahogany and pol
ished metal, while opposite the en-
trance. in what appeared to be a
-ingle-storied addition, was a room
u dancing. Near the wide opening
| into this section. sat Theodore Pell,
the reporter. in company with three
companions-Elloch, the painter, and
two women. They were all very hila.
rous, but catching sight of Pedro. Pell
excused himself, and began a some.
what uncertain progress in the direc.
ton Of the newcomer. At the same
instant a man who seemed to be in
authority there accosted the three and
demanded to know II they wanted to
have Mr.. Jones perform.
The house takes half of what you
get," he added.
DO you often have dancing bears
tDre?" asked Pedro.
Nope. never yet" said the man
but it might go. Try it on after the
next dance. II you like"
Maybe l WILL" replied the other
| Tbap 90 tho propriofor povod ou,y