Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-04


pital for himself held him "a his seat,
one OF the policemen had climbed on
In front with the chaufuer. and now
and again he Glanced back az II he
We're conveying a couple, at prisoners
to Jail. It was vexatious beyond any
thing! And all n account Of that
white dog! Could anything be more
ridiculous than the whole perform
ance?
His annoyancs and irritation al
mos made him 1orEet that it was his
progress through the streets that had
silenced this mite beside him. But
Just as he looked at his watch for the
fifth time the boy opened his eyes
and .moaned. and there was in those
eyes a striking resemblance to the
look in the eyes of the doE Of whose
Gordon started. In spite Of himself
It seemed as II the dog were reproach-
ing him through the eyes Of the child.
Then suddenly the boy, spoke.
VIII yous stay by me till I'm
mended?" whispered the weak little
| voice. 90. r.
Gordon's heart leaped in horrer
again. and it came to him that he was
being tried out this day to sea If he
had the right stun In him for hard
tasks. The appeal In, the little street.
boys eyes reached! him as no request
had eve yet done. and yet he might
not answer it. Duty,---life and death
must leave the little fellow whom. he
had been the involuntary cause Of in
juring, to suffer and perhaps to die.
II cut him to the quick not to re-
spond to that. urgent appeal.
Was 1t; because he was weary that
he, was. visited tust then by a vision of
Julia Bentley with her, handsome lips
would not have approved of his stop
ping to carry a hoy to the hospital,
any more than to care for a dogs
comfort. s So
Look here. kidaie," he said gently.
leaning yer the child, I'D stay by
myself late for an appointment by
coming so far With YOU. Do you
know what Duty lis?"
The child nodded scrrow3uliy.
Don't yous mind me-" he muir
INJURED weakly. "Just .yous go. I'm
game all right" Then the voice
trailed off into silence again. and the
eyelids fluttered down upon the little
grimy, unconscious face.
a brief moment .to leave some money
in the hands of the authorities for the
benefit Of the boy ands!a message that
he would return in a week or two II
possible; then hurried away.
Back in the cab once more, he felt
as it he had killed a man and left
him lying by the roadside while he
continued his unswerying march to-
growing momentiy more p%ortentous,
and to be relieved of which he would
gladly have surrendered further hope
of his chiefs favor. He closed his
eyes n tried to think. but all the
time the little white face of the child
came before his vision, and the mock
Ehiu.e as if, she were telling him that
Fhe had spoiled all his cnanees-and
hers-by his foolish soft-heartedness.
Though, what else could he. have
dome than he had done, he asked him
self fiercely. - .
He looked at his watch. 1t was at
least ten minutes ride to the hotel.
ITO his man the process of dressing
for evening would not take long. for
he knew that everything would be in
place and he would not-be hindered.
He would make short work Of his
toilet. But there was his suitcase.
It would not do to leave it at the
hotel, neither must he take 1t with
Ihim to the house where he was to be
h. guest. There Was nothing for 1t but
to go around by the way OF the station
where it would have to be checked.
That meant a longer ride and more
delay, but it must be done.
Arrived at the hotel at last, and in
John Burnham'' In the hotel regis
TRY. there came . call to the tele-
phone:
excitement he took the receiver. His
breath went from him as though he
had Just u up five flights of stairs.
Eyes? Hello! Oh. MYa Holman. Yes!
was delayed. A wreck ahead Of the
train. Very kind Of you to invite me.
I'm sure. Yes. I'll be there in q few
moments. as soon as I can get rid of
the dust of travel. Thank you. Good
bye"
It all sounded very commonplace
to the clerk. who was making out
bills and frettinE because he could
not get on to take his girl to the the
alter that night, but as Gordon hung
up the receiver helooked around fur
lively a II expecting to -see a dozen
detectives ready to seize upon him.
1t was the first time he had ever
assumed name and he felt a. il no
were shouting his commission through
the streets of New York. 80. y.
The young man mad short work
Of his toilet. just as he. was leaving
the hotel a tele9ram was handed
him. 1t was from his chief. and 90
worded that to the operator who had
copied it down II read like a hasty
call to Boston: but to his code-en-
lightened eyes it wa merely a. blind
to cover his exit from the hotel and
from New York, and set any possible
hunters on a wrong scent. He mar
veled at the wonderful mind OF his
chief. who thouEht out evAry detail
Of an important campaign. and forgot
not n little possible potnt where
dif1culty might arise.
Gordon had q nervous feeling AZ he
again stepped into taxicAh and gave
his order. He. wondered, how many
stray dogs, and newsboys with broken
legs, would attach themselves to him
on the way to dinner. Whenever the
fspeed slowed down. or they were halt
ed by carr and autos. his heart pound
happened, but he arrived eafely and
swiftly at the station. checked his
suitcase. and took another cab to the
residence Of Mr.. Holman, without
further incident.
The company ware waiting for hind,
and after the introductions they went
immediately to the dininE-room. Cor.
don took his seat 9TH the 4Aeline that
he had bungled everything hopelessly,
and had arrived s'so late shat there
was no possible hope Of his doing
what he had bean sent to do. For the
first few minutss his thoughts were
brilliant lights OF the room- He could
1nOt single ont the fAeAa ~ the .nnn.