The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-04-16
STRAIGHT STREET
aiIIIIiIIIIIiIIIIIIIIIIlIlIIlIIIINIIlIMniIlIII
By MAY NEWCOMBE.
Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper Union,


Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union>
From time immemorial what had
once been country COW path strag-
4 gied through the nucleus of what
finally became Groverdale. AS houses
were built here and there along its
sinuOus length, it assumed, or abs
sorbed, or was given name: Crook
ed Lane" ...
When the first small stores began
| to find location on line with the
| depot, the town commissioners cut q
broad line west, condemned curves
and windings and laid out compass
correct thoroughfare. 1t was not a
pretty appelative they bestowed on
the new thoroughfare, but 1t was fully
appropriate as a contrast. It became
Straight street.
To do business on Straight street
was to be quite in the business sphere.
TO live farther out in it's residential
section was to be acknowledged and
accepted socially. One day a stranger
entered the town, jaunty, fairly we'll
dressed fellow, about twenty-five. He
was straight as an arrow, supple,
swift Of gait, bright-eyed, wide awake,
suggesting a person seeking brand
new environment and on the alert to
seize it's best opportunities. A whim-
steal smile crossed his expressive face
as he glanced at the sign on q lamp
post. ,,.z.. ...- ~. sfz,r-a5s an.. 81
straight street." he read, as though
1t had made a pleasant sound, "That
suits me and take it as harbinger
of fortune. It's the road I've had in
mind" . Ea.a .l.. .y,t.,s . E,,.o,
r. The young man started looking tor
room, a 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
His brisk, CHEEKY ways and frank, open
personality caught the fancy of the
bookkeeper Of large factory and Abel
Morse, as he gave his name, was en-
ployed.
He became favOrite all around.
There was one popularity about him
he took long jaunts, and 1t might have
been remarked that he never left
Straight street. Beyond were the dance
halls, drinking places, tawdry side
shows and rollicking crowds, but, in
town or leaving it, Straight street be-
came his beaten path. One moonltt
night he was pacing it's middle pave
ment, for the sides We're blocked where
new cement was being laid. Abruptly
a. spirited, horse attached to a ?, high
trap turned into the street The AMI.
NAL became frightened at the pres
ence of road roller and made a wild
dash across the rubble stone and fill
ing-in debris A handsome girl held
steadily to the tense, straining reins,
but the horse was frantic. AS the We
hicle was all but upsetting, the young
man sprang at the head Of the speed.
ing animal. He chung 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
ssaw 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-
campment, 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
comrades, model to the young men
of the town and in direct line for fur:
Their advancement.
He had just left Mary one afternoon
and was crossing the garden to the
street when hurrying flushed aud
hard-breathing man almost ran into
him. Then the latter halted, stared
and regarded Morse with certain In.
solent, triumphant look.
Double luck! Well, well, Ned Du-
rand! and a. blooming lieutenant! I've
heard Of you. ! saw you before. And
transformed into Abel Morse, U. S. A.
Some rise in the world, ell. from con-
Wet >2244? What is it worth to shut
my mouth?"
"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
they are, in his pocket. Bring him to
my father, and we shall see how far
his unmanly threat will carry him!"'
Todd Brewster, ex-convict, thief,
left GrOvedale that evening q cOwed