Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-10-19

get into evening dress before he must
present himself for his work.
Within three blocks of the hotel the
cab came to such a sudden standstill
CHAPTER II.
They were surrounded Immediately
by a crowd in which policemen were
q prominent feature. The chauffeur
semed dazed in the hands of the Off
GERS.
A little, barefoot. white faced figure
huddled Imply in the midst showed
Gordon what had happened: also there
were menacing glances towards him
self and a show Of lifted stones. He
heard one boy say: You bet he's in
a hurry to "it away. Them kind allus
is. They don't are who they kills,
they don't"
A great horror seized him. The cab
had over a newsboy and perhaps
killed him. Yet instantly came the re-
menlbrance of his commission: Don't
let anything hinder you. Make it a
looked as if this was a matter of death
that hindered him now.
They bundled the moaning boy into
the taXicab n as GORDON saw no es-
ape through the tightly packed crowd,
who eyed him suspiciously, he climbed
III OSo1dc liz sunny llllS SSl up " LII
conscious humanity, and they were off
to the hospital to the tune of Don't
let anything hinder you! Don't let
anything hinder you!" until Cor
don felt that If it did not stop
soon he would go crazy. He
making his escape in spite of the speed
they were making, but a vision of
broken legs and a bed in the hospital
for himself held him to his seat. One
of the policemen had climbed on in
front with the chauffeur, and now and
again he glanced pack as If he We're
conveying a couple Of prisoners to Jail.
1t was vexatious beyond anything! And
all on account of that white dog! Could
anything be more ridiculous than the
whole performance?
His annoyance and irritation almost
made him forget that 1T was his prog
ress through the streets thai had ST.
as he looked at his watch for the fifth
time, the boy opened his eyes and
moaned, and there was in those eyes
q striking resemblance to the look in
the eyes Of the dog Of whose presence
he q just rid himself.
Gordon started. In spite of himself
1t seemed as if the dog were %reproach-
Ing him through the yes Of the child.
Then suddenly the boy spoke.
VIII yous stay by me till I'm mend
ed?' whispered the weak little voice.
Gordon's heart leaped in horror again
tried out this day to see If he had the
right stuff for hard tasks. The appeal
in the little street boys eyes reached
him as no request had ever done, and
yet he might not answer 1t. Duty-life
and death duty-called him elsewhere,
II he must leave the little fellow
whom he a been the involuntary
cause Of injuring. to suffer and perhaps
to die. 1t cut him to the quick not to
respond to that urgent appeal.
Was 1t because he was weary that he
was visited just then by a vision Of
Julia Bentley with her handsome lips
curled scornfully? Julia Bentley would
carry a boy to the hospital, any more
than to care for a dogs comfort.
Look here, kiddie.' he said gently,
leaning over the child, I'D stay by you
If could, but I've already made my
self late for an appointment by com
what duty is?"
The child nodded sorrowfully.
Don't yous mind me-" he murmured
weakly. Just yous go. I'm game all
right" Then the voiced trailed off into
silence again, and the eyeIids fluttered
down upon the little, grimy, neon
Gordon went into the hospital for a
brief moment to leave some money in
the hands Of the authorities for the
benefit Of the boy, n q message that
he would return in a week or two, II
possible; the hurried away.
Back In the cab once more, he felt
as II he had killed a man and left
him lying by the roadside while he con-
tinued his unswervinE march toward
the hideous duty which was growing
momently more p%ortentous, and to be
relieved Of which he would gladly have
surrendered further hope of his chiefs
favor. He closed his eyes and tried to
think, but all the time the little white
face of the child came before his vision,
and the hooking eyes Of Julia Bentley
tanta!ized him, as II she were telling
him that he had spoiled all his chances
and hers-by his foolish soft heart
edness. Though, what else could he
have done than he had done, he asked
himself fiercely.
He looked al his watch. 1t was at
least 10 minutes ride to the hotel, the
best time they could make. Thanks to
his man, the process Of dressing for
evening would not take long, for he
knew that everything would be in place
and he would not be hindered. He
would make short work of his toilet.
But there was his suit case. It would
not do to leave 1t at the hotel, neither
must he take 1t with him to the house
Where ne was - be q guest. There
was nothing for Il but to go around by
the way Of the station where it would
have to be checked. That meant a
longer ride and more delay, but it must
be done.
Arrived at the hotel at last, and in
the act Of signing the unaccustomed
John Burnham' in the hotel registry,
there came a call to the telephone.
With q hand that trembled from ex-
element he took the receiver. His
breath went from him as though he had
Just u up five flights Of stairs. Yes?
Hello! oh, Mrs. Holman. Yes! Burn
ham, I've but lust arrived. I wau de-.