The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-12-02
IliIIinIDlulIlllIllIllrluInnlIlnInlH
STRAIGHT STREET
Observation-Disclosures
BY MAY NEwcoMsE.

gled through the nucleus Of what
finally became Groverdale As houses
were built here and there along it's
slnaops length, It assumed, or alb
sorhed, or was given name Crook
ed Lane"
When the first small stores began
TO fiAd q location on line With the
depot, the town commissioners cut a
broad line west, condemned curves
and wmdings and laid out a compass
correct thoroughfarc. II was not a
pretty appeIalive they bestowed on
the new thoroughfure, but 1t was fully
appropriate as Il contrast II became
Straight street.
TO do business on Straight street
was TO he quite in the business sphere,
to live farther out in its residential
section was 10 be acknowledged aud
accepted socially. one day stranger
entered the town, Il iaunty fairly Well
dressed fellow, about twenty-five. lie
was straight as an arrow, supple,
swift Of gait, bright-eyed, wide awake,
suggesting person seeking a brand
new environment and on the alert to
seize It's best opportunities A Whiln-
sica smile crossed his expressive face
as he glanced at the sign on n lamp
post.
straight street." he read. as though
it had made pleasant sound. THAT
suits me ana | take 1t rs Il harbngcr
of fortune It's the road I've had in
mind"
The young man started looking for
a room Il cheap room SIDE thorough
fares invited in this direction, but he
maintained his tramp along the street
called straight" until he finally
found an apartment suited to his thin
purse, and then cast about for work
IFS brisk CHEEKY ways and frank, open
personality caught the fancy of The
bookkceper Of large factory ana Abel
Morse, as he gave his name, was en-
ployed.
lie became favorte all around.
There was one pecuIlarty about him
he took long iaunts, and it might have
been remarked That he never left
Straight street. Beyond were the dance
halls, drinking places iawdry side
shows and rollicking crowds, but, in
town or leaving 1t, Straight street he
came his beaten path. one moonlit
night he was pacing its middle pave
ment for the sides were blocked where
new cement was being laid. Abruptly
n spirited horse attached to Il high
trap turned into the street. The ami
NAL became frightened ut the pres
ence OF n road roller and made wild
dash across the rubhle stone and fill
ing-in debris. A handsome girl held
steadily to the tense, straining reinS,
but the horse was frantic As the Ve-
hicle was all but upsetting, the young
man sprang ut the head of the speed
ing animal He clung to the bride,
was dragged, swung, almost trampled.
but halted the affrighted Steed at last.
oh don't let him get hurt, tram
pling among the cinders and glass !"
called out Miss Eva Powers, his driver,
and Morse led the horse to the center
smooth roadway. "You had better let
me drive him home" he said, and that
was how it came about that he first
saw at the sumptuous Powers man
sion modest, petite Mary Lane, seam
stress.
Thereafter when he called to see
Mary at home or to chat with her in,
the garden, Miss Powers smiled indul-
gently and Mary was flattered and
pleased at the attentions OF the man
ly, good-looking young fellow. There
came about rapidly occurring series
OF events. The war came on, Mary
was proud about her lover when he
was the first to enter the service
Miss Powers gave him quite a pub
lie reception when he came from en-
first Lieutenant. Some
where Abel Morse had learned disci
pline, self-control and the power TO
lead men. He and Mary had become |
engaged. He was popular with his
n model to the young pen /
of the town and in direct line for fur
Lher advancement Il
He had just left Mary one afternoon |
and was crossing the garden to the |
street when hurrying flushed and
man almost ran into
lim. Then the latter halted, stared |
md regarded Morse with a certain in |
solent, triumphant look.
Double luck Well, well, Ned Du- /
and and blooming lieutenant! I've I
ieard of you. / saw you before. And |
Transformed into Abel Morse, L. S. \. /
Some rise in the world, eh, from con-
.iet 2244? What is it worth to shut
ny mouih?'
Hold Thar manr burst forth sharp
y, and Miss Powers came rushing into
dew. Her direction was ia Morse.
lie has just entered the house, and !
las stolen case Of Jewels There
hey are. in his pocket Bring him to
ny father, and we shall see how far
lis unmanly threat will carry him.
Todd Brewster, ex-conviet, thief,
pft Grovedale that evening a cowed
kulker, With evidence sufficient he
ind him to send him back where he
elonged. IL he dared even to menace
lbeI Morse again Within week
he assumed name OF the latter was
egalized.
To heartbeat snd to drumbeat "a
eal soldier led his comrades through |