The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1919-10-16
STRAIGHT STREET

BY WAY NEwcoM5E-

From time immemorial what had
once been a country COW path strag-
gled through the nucleus of what
finally became Groverdale. AS houses
we're built here and there along its
sinuous length. It assumed. or alb
sorbed. or was given a name: Crook
ed Lane"
When the first small stores began
to find q location on a line with the
depot. the town commissioners cut q
broad line west. condemned curves
ond windings and laid out a compass
correct ~thoroughfare. 1t was not a
pretty appelative they bestowed on
the new thoroughfare. but Ii was fully
appropriate as a contrast. 1t became
Straight street.
To do business on Straight street
was to be quite In the business sphere,
TO live farther out In its residential
section was to be acknowledged and
accepted socially. One day a stranger
entered the town. a jaunty, fairly we'll
dressed fellow, about twenty-five. He
gas straight as an arrow. supple,
swift of gait, bright-eyed, wide awake,
suggesting a person seeking a brand
new environment and on the alerr to
seize It's best opportunities. A whim-
sical smile crossed his expressive face
rs he glanced at the sign on a lamp
post.
straight street" he read. as though
Il had made a pleasant sound. THAT
suits me and I take 1t rs a harbinger
II fortune. It's the road I've had In
mind"
The young man started looking for
room, q cheap room. Side thorough
'ares 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 her cast about for work
Ills brisk. CHEEKY ways and frank, open
personality caught the fancy Of the
',%ookkeeper of a large factory and Abel
Horse. as he gave his name, was EN-
sloyed.
He became a favorite all around.
There was one popularity about him
he took long %jaunts, and 1t might have
zen remarked that he never left
straight street. Beyond were the dance
lalIs. drinking places, tawdry side
hows and rollicking crowds, but. in
Town or leaving 1t, Straight street be-
anne his beaten path. One moonlit
tight he was pacing its middle pave
aent. for the sides were blocked where
new cement was being laid. Abruptly
= spirited horse attached to a high
crap turned into the street. The ami
nal became frightened at h pres
nee of a road roller and made a wild
lash across the rubble stone and fill.
ng-in debris. A handsome girl held
steadily to the tense. strainjng reins,
,ut the horse was frantic. AS the We
hicle was all hut upsetting, the young
nan sprang at the head Of the speed
ng animal. He chung to the bride.
q dragged. swung. almost trampled,
MT halted the ~affrighted steed at last.
"Oh, don't let him get hurt, tram
bling among the cinders and glass;"
allied out Miss riva Powers, his driver,
nd Morse led the horse to the center
mooth roadway. "You had better let
ne drive him home" he said. and that
vas how it came about that he first
aw at the sumptuous Powers man.
ion modest. petite Mary Lane. seam
stress.
Thereafter when he called to see
larry at home or to chat with her In
he garden. Miss Powers smiled indul-
emily aad Mary was fiattered and
lleased Mt the attentions of the man
V. good-looking young fellow. There
anne about a rapidly occurring series
If events. The war came on, Mary
vas proud about her lover when he
,as the first to enter the service
Miss Powers gave him quite a pub
,ic reception when he came from en-
rampment. a first lieutenant. Some
where Abel Morse had learned disci
nine. Self-control and the power TO
cad men. He and Mary had become
ngaged. He was popular with his
comrades, a model to the young men
Il the town and in direct line for fur
her advancement.
lie had just left Mary one afternoon
and was crossing the garden to the
,treet when a hurrying, flushed and
undertaking man almost ran into
aim. Then the latter halted. stared
and regarded Morse with a certain in
Soient. triumphant look.
Double luck! Well, well. Ned Du-
rand! and a blooming lieutenant! I've
heard of you. l saw you before. And
transformed into Abel Morse, U. s.. A.
Some rise in the world, eh. from con-
yict 2244? What Is it worth to shut
-ay mouthg
Hold that man !" burst forth sharp
". and Miss Powers came rushing into
view. Her direction was to Morse.
"He has just entered the house. and
has stolen a case of Jewels. There
hey are. in his pocket. Bring him to
my father. and we shall see how far