Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-06-02


Cold deviled crab left from last night
indeed. Why. If you had eaten it, most
! likely 1t would have been you, instead
of the lunch, soaring heavenward. Mary. |
your guardian angel stole that food"
"oh, go long with your nonsense" ex-
claimed the lrritated old woman.
Look
June raised her right hand and point
ed down the beach.
is that man carrying a basket, or
do my eyes deceive me-"
Expecting an indignant retort and re-
! ceiving none at all, made her glance
roguishly, from the corner of her eyes.
She found Marys Mortified gaze fixed
on her raised hand. The light left her
face suddenly.
is il there?' she asked, dreading to
look.
Mary took hold of the cold finger tips
aand pressed the marked hand against
her breast.
Yes, it's there" she answered sadly. |
We'll, daughter of Circle JIM what !
new mischief are you planning now?
Smiling Sam" uttered a quick, gasp |
ing sound and ducked behind the rock as
the two women looked in his direction. |
Crouched there gripping the smoothly |
worn surface for support, he grinned.
Circle jim"
June Travis Circle Jim's child! Aft
the son he thought was his, dead, too.
Memories crowded quickly into Sans
hunger-dulled brain. They brought cour-
age and defiance.
He Strengthened his cramped knees
and pulled himself up, cautiously. He |
could still hear voices, but they seemed
farther away. He edged around the rock
again.
Mary was pulling at June's arm, urg- |
ing her to go back to the house. June
her composure regained, was laughingI
the old woman's fears away.
please, dear!' pleaded Mary. That
mark coming back again and again
makes me feel so helpless"
I'm not going to do anything. AND
I'll go back to the house with you if
you want me to. ! might as well, any
way, as long as there's no sign of our
lunch coming back to us. wonder
what mother and Yama are taking so
long about?"
she turned and started to walk up
the beach toward the Travis cottage.
Smiling Sam crept stealthily from be-
hind the huge pile of rocks and looked
around for possible pursuers. Finding
the coast clear, he jumped boldly into
the open and followed them as rapidly (
as he considered prudent
As June neared the second rocky
point, he called to her. She and Mary
stopped and looked back. They saw
no one. June laughed nervously.
See, you've got me all upset" she |
charged Mary, Il could have sworn that
heard some one call me-"
Someone did call YOU" the old wom
an answered gravely. Il heard il, too.
We can't both be hearing things.
distinctly heard"
She caught her breath sharply and
broke off in the middle of the sentence.
a man, unkempt and pale, was stumb-
ling toward them. June recognized him
before he caught up with them.
Sam! Sam Eagan"' she sasped.
clutching Mary's arm. What does he
want me for?"
BY this time Smiling Sam" was
standing before them. He bowed over
courteously. When he stood erect, there
was strange light in his beady eyes.
SAM June began reproachfully.
after all your. promises to me! After
all you"
"what'vs l done, Miss Travis?" he
whined.
what have you done?" repeated
June, moving a step nearer him. Don't
you feel the least bit of shame, stand
ing there, before me, and asking me
that?''
Sam threw back his head and roared
aloud with genuine laughter. Mary ran
to June and put her arms around her
Don't stand here talking to that Grim
inal," she begged Come back TO the
house with me Look at him. He's
desperate. Come"
"Oh. not so quick" interposed Bagan
He stepped before them and blocked
their way. Then he pointed a stubby
gray-smirched forefinger at Junes light
ly clasped hands.
Not so quick" he repeated sharply.
I've got your pedigree. and it's a
peach.
Cold fear crept into June's heart. She
made a spasmodic attempt to hide her
hands behind her back Sam laughed
triumphantly.
Who would a thought it," he purred
at her. miss June Travis--prison
worker, saver of souls, a little angel
of the cells-a crook-daughter of Cir
Gle Jim.' the slickest thing ever chum-
med with
Come to the house with me- Mary
implored piteously.
Didn't i tell you not so quick old
lady? She amt going to the house
with you and leave me cold. Get me?'
he snarled.
what do you want?" asked June
looking straight into his vicious little
eyes.
We'll. there's so many things l want"
ne drawled. I could make an inventory
OF EN- IL you waited"
What do you want?" the girl re-
peated sternlY.
"Oh, going to be nasty about it, eh?
Well. now look here. you-cut it. They're
after me. And Circle Jim's' daughter
will get me food and protection, or I'll
squeal good and plenty and trade her
secret to the police, see?"
June shrank into Msry's arms--all
her bravado gone
"You-you-:' threatened the nurse L
her eyes glaring at him.
Same to you an many of him." he
retort9S moGkingly, with a sweeping,