The St. Mary banner., 1920-07-31

lnt Whit.
Il tank l don't fish any more" ne
announced to the astOnished skipper.
"Why n0t?" was the demand.
II tank 90 to find Fannie.
"Rut, We tow-headed Sculpin' ye
can't find her in New York ~
Three evenings John Hansen spent
under the glare of the electric lIGhtS
in Coney Islands Bowery before he
found her.
He recognized Fannie in spite or
the bleaching of her hair, the rouge
on her checks, and the exaggerated
outlines Of her silk clothes. Troubled,
he followed her down a dimly lighted
street into a cheap wooden building
with a bar in the front room. Passing
through this apartment, they sat down
at small table in an alcove beyond.
Well" 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. I don
tank it very good place. You come
home to Hardyport."
Lord" she cried. Don't l want
to? Amt | tired and sick of this
hole? Wouldn't l swap this cologne
an musk for whiff O. the wild roses
an the barberry? Don't I 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 Il breath of air from the
real ocean. for a gust of the east
| wind, all sharp and salt?
Il can't 90. John. | can't go!
II tank YOU can co. he persisted
placidly. what make it you can't
Il owe money here. to the boss. You
don't understand about it. He wouldn't
let me go if | tried"
How much money! inquired John.
A lot. It's nearly hundred dol
| lars now"
John Hansen took from his pocket
a slim roll of bills, divided it, and
handed her the larger part. AS If
| 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 I could get away with
raw selling-plater. Let's chase our
selves TO a 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, ant
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 cleareyed clean-skinned CIR
he wanted-the only girl he wanted
What claim had this brass-tonguet
woman upon him?
aye" he added aloud. "But l bar
fool and l have to pay"
"What say?" queried Fan.
"Fannie"-he spoke steadily-"yo,
an me ban promised four years ago
When l came In from that trip an
found you gone to New York I didn'
follow"
Fannie was gazing at him from un
der half-shut eyelids, but made no re
ply.
John Hansen continued:
year ago I know better, but III
stow that now. ban older than you
and 1 tank my place to stand betweel
you an the wind. Now 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 a fev
moments she gaZed into his eyes.
"JOhn Hansen!" she eiacuIatet