Middletown transcript., 1919-11-01

ine around down hers you told Us
something about your mother" he
nodded toward the old woman. what
was it-you had q chance to M her
up with Z home In the old town.
wasn't that the. idea? 7"
"Oh. that" the tall girl laughed
mirthlessly with pretense Of careless.
ness. THAT was just q pipe dream 0
mine You know-my married sisters s
living in New Orleans. They've Ut
tie place out Of town-truck farm, l
reckon.
Even II could scrape the fare to-
gether, mother couldn't make the trip
without some one along.
"She couldn't be trusted alone,
though it'd be q grand place for her
! to be-"
81 know!" Delano's voice was
wearily impatient. "Now, look here.
How soon can you get her ready to
travel-clothes and all that?'
"She's got a trunkful Of clothes"
she said finally. "good enough and all
she'll ever need"
There's a party going down that
way" he said slowly, tonight think
"a young woman. I've no doubt she'd
take care Of your mother-we could
arrange it-if you'll line everything up
right away. The young lady will un-
derstand that It's a friend Of mine.
See"
Its almighty good Of you," she NUT
tered. II wish there was some way
could get back, but I know well enough
there never will be-"
"Oh, the deuce!" negatived Delano.
"As far as that's concerned. I'm un-
der obligations to you, If you only
knew it."
|: Fifteen minutes later he was speak
ing to startled girl who sat huddled
on an uncomfortable iron bench under
meath a frowsy cottonwood. Delano
saw her shrink when he stopped by
her
I'm sure I don't know who Is re-
sponsible for the rumor," he said, po-
litely, ''but some one told me that
there was Southern lady at the hotel
who was leaving for New Orleans to-
night"
The girl struggled with her trem
bling voice.
Not-not-tonight." she said finally.
"Ah! Well. it was mistake, then.
I'm sorry. You see. have a-er-a
distant relative living here-a very old
lady. I've been wanting her to have n
visit to daughter in New Orleans, but
she is so infirm-deaf and almost blind
that she cannot make the journey
alone.
II had thought of asking you to take
charge Of her."
II wish I could" began the girl
indistinctly.
Its too bad" went on Delano I'M
an absent, disappointed monologue. II
wish 1 could get some one. I'd be only
too willing to pay all travelling ex-
penses and q reasonable amount in ad-
dition."
"O-o-oh-" the dark eyes were all
at once wistfully eager. I'D love to
undertake the care Of the lady, Mr.
Mr."
"Delano. have no card with me-"
"11r. Delano, I am Miss Martelle.
You see" she stumbled, and then
went Oh frankly:
Il came out here to take position
that-that didn't materialize-andL
there doesn't seem to be anything else
for me. It would mean lots form to-
get back to New Orleans-that way.
My home is not very far from there"
"Now," remarked the listener, this
is surely providential. Tell you what
I'll do. I'll pay all the travelling ex-
penses and give you $500 for your
trouble. Will that be satisfactory?
But it wouldn't be worth that
much, Mr.. Delano!" she hesitated hon.
estly.
Its worth it to me-to send the old
lady with some one can be sure Of
some one who will take care Of her.
One thing more.
"I'll bring your ward to you at the
depot. The train leaves at eight
twenty It's settled then."
"Yes-yes-of course"
Il must bid you good afternoon now.
Have business engagement"
I'D like you to know" The girl
came close I'm under very great OBJ
legations, and some time I'm going
to-"
"Not at ALL" interrupted Delano cas-
ually. II am the one who should be
grateful. Until tonight, then"
"Huh!" grunted Simon as the alb
sentee came behind the roulette-wheel
to relieve him. LOT O. worthless pups
I got around here. Loaf about out
side all day. Reckon I'm due to hear
you say, about now, that you're going
to take run down hometown
where the yellow fever blooms
"Not me !" said Delano calmly. "Not
me-Tm going to send proxy"
He sent the marble spinning along
the groove with a practiced hand, and
then raised his clear voice above the
raucous grinding, for the benefit Of the
crowd around the numbered table.
"Come on In, boys-the waters
warm!''
"FIu" Episode.
"Give him air! Stand back. Stand