The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-08-18
in Coney Islands Bowery before hA

he followed her down q dimly lighted
street into a cheap wooden building
with a bar in the front room. Passing
through this apartment, they sat down
at a small table in an alcOve beyond.
SWELL" she calculated finally. "how's
old HardypOrt? What brought you
down here. John?"
II came to bring you back" he an
swered soberly.
"Quit yer kidding" she broke out
angrily.
"You don't like this place. l don
tank it very good place. You come
home to HardypOrt."
'Lord!" she cried. "DOnt ! want
to? Amt l tired and sick of this
hole? Wouldn't swap this cologne
an musk for Whit O. the wild roses
an the barberry? Don't l want to see
the sun set behind the West Parish
hills and the water all red at high
tide across the marshes? Amt l
choked for a breath of air from the
real ocean, for a gust OF the east
wind, all sharp and salt?
II can't go, John. I can't go"
II tank you can CO." he persisted
placidly. "What make it you can't?"
II owe money here, to the boss. You
don't understand about 1t. He wouldn't
let me 60 If tried"
"How much money" inquired John.
"a lot. It's nearly hundred dol
lars now"
John Hansen took from his pocket
slim roll of bills. divided y, and
handed her the larger part. AS II
dazed, the girl took the money and
slipped it into her dress.
"You be at the big station in New
York for train at ten O'Clock tomor-
row mornin'," John said rising.
| When the next afternoon boat from
Boston had made fast at her Hardy
port wharf John Hansen and Fannie
crossed the gangplank together and
walked slowly up Harbor street.
"You don't know how good it seems
to get back" murmured the girl.
"Speed up, Beau" she babbled. I'm
that empty could get away with a
raw selling-plater. Let's chase our
selves to joint where we can feed
our faces"
They ate supper at little restau-
rant and then wandered out over the
avenue that skirts the harbor.
The two stood leaning on the bridge
rail, Fannie watching the bathers and
the slow flash Of the revolving lamp
in the lighthouse tower on the Point.
but John with his eyes on the girl.
Once more he duly studied the
snowy dress, the too abundant frizzed
and curled yellow hair, the powder
blotched cheeks. the hard lips. and the
bold, brilliant eyes.
Then he thought Of Christina, and
his heart rose slowly in protest.
This tainted, young-old. made-uI
creature-what had she in common
with him? Why should he give up fol-
her the clear-eyed, clean-skinned girl
|; he wanted-the only girl he wanted
on the shores of the seven seas
What claim had this brass-tongued
woman upon him?
aye" he added aloud. But bar
, fool and I have to pay"
"What say?" querled Fan.
"Fannie"-he spoke steadily-"yor
an me ban promised four years ago
/ When came in from that trip an
found you gone to New York didn'
follow"
Fannie was gazing at him from un
/ der half-shut eyelids, but made no re
! ply.
. John Hansen continued:
= "Year ago know better, but III
, stow that now. I han older than you
;. and I tank my place to stand between
, you an the wind. New I ban goin
+ to pay"
"You mean" she whispered-"yo'
. mean-you'll marry ME now-after-
in spite of everything?
He nodded silently. and for few
moments she gazed Into his eyes.
: John Hansenw she CALCULATED
O finally. you're fool! You're a
q big a baby as you were four year
ago! You need some one to take car
T.. of you. I'll marry your
AS he opened his mouth she cut OF
: his words with a wave of her hand.
"Ill marry you. yes. on one condI
4 ton. That is, that yor re not in low
9 with any. other girl. Are you?" sh
n snapped.
a TEI|" began tie bewildere
:. John.
"You are! Then, John Hansen, 20
= can have her. don't love you.
), don't want you or any other man. Yo
:, were sent to me. an you've brcugh
- me home an given me back this"
. She waved her hand toward tn
- town and the sea.
= you've given me back this. II
give you back your girl. Now 60 t
\. her."