The Dolores star., 1921-08-19
ASK A POLICEMAN
BY RUTH BIRDsALL,
eSeSSSeeSSeSgag agsgaeses.


girl, with the freshness of country
daisies and green fields about her. For
many minutes she had been standing
by the big revolving doors of Beacon's
department store, searching every face
as the crowds surged in and out.
Choking back the persistent sobs
and fears, she realized that she must
think and think hard.
She had heard that in all big cities
there were men whose duty it was to
direct strangers and to help them, and
she had always been warned to be
very careful about speaking to people
promiscuously.
Always ask n policeman"-thatw was
1t. always ask policeman" mother
had said, and Aunt Carrie had said,
and Cousin Lucina had said-"Always
ask a policeman"
Through the thinning crowd she sft-
ed, glancing timidly about, until she
spied big, glowing-faced policeman
at the cross streets. Up to him she
rushed, needless of traffic or traffic
regulations.
oif SIi, slt CIitu. Jill gone, anu
I'm lost! Please tell me what to do?"
You're lost, are your" smiled the
policeman. "Well, who is Jim, and
where do you live?'
Autos honked drivers shouted and
pedestrians scowled and scolded while
Officer Dane listened to the half-sobbed
story of the little country Daisy.
Jim is James Dee from Chicago,
and I've run away from home to mar
ry him, and now l can't find him. I'm
so afraid something has happened to
hin. Please find him for me-"
Officer Dane signalled for the impa.
tient drivers and pedestrians to cross.
Fuming and seething they swept past
the stalwart man and the frightened
girl. The spot upon which they stood
was like tiny island In a tempestu-
Gus sea Of traffic.
"Wait minute" encouraged Dane.
''and I'll help you"
Soon the home,bound rush hour was
over, and Dane piloted his charge to
sheltered corner.
$50 jim is lost, Is he? And you are
going to marry him, are you? Just
play I'm your granddad and tell me all
about It," and his kindly blue eyes in
vited confidence.
Hesitatingly Daisy explained that
Jim had come to her home in Danbury
Hill for his summer vacation n month
before when her mother had adver-
tised for few boarders to help fill the
family pocketbooR. Jim was wonder.
ful-the finest man in the world. He
loved her but mother didn't trust him
and wanted to know him better before
giving her consent. Finally, Jim's va
cation being over, he had found 1t i'm
possible to leave Daisy, and she
couldn't let him go without her; so
they had eloped, and now he was lost
and she was lost and she was very
unhappy.
Big Bill Dane pondered a moment.
"Do you love this Dee fellow well
enough, little lady, TO go back home
tonight and face the music alone,
while | hunt for hm?'
"Oh, if | only could go home" she
sobbed. "Id never run away again.
Gently officer Dane led Daisy
somewhat crumplcd and crushed
through the now quictcr streets to the
railroad station where, promising hel
news in the morning, he placed her Oh
the train for Danbury Hill.
The next noon II trim, big-shoul
dered blue-eyed man swung Oft the
train at Danbury Hill station. Daisy.
from the hilltop, watched him climb
the hill ana come straight up to her
door.
Good morning little lady" he sang
out to her. FLOWS your heart this
morning? All battered and torn OF
can 1t stand II little shaking up?"
"Why, its my policeman" gasped
Daisy, "only you aren't a policeman
ut ALL"
"Oh. yes; | am policeman, all
right" chuckled Dane; "but it's my
day off and | came to deliver my mes
sage in person. It's not who am mas
Guerading, but James Dee of Chicago,
U. S. A."
'Masqueradng?"
"Sure." and genial Bill Dane settled
the farm. He mopped his cheerful face
and beamed Il smile of understanding
that warmed Daisy's heart.
81 thought | was right yesterday"
he said, "but wanted to be sure be-
fore took chance of breaking your
little heart. Your friend Jim never
saw Chicago. He's n soda clerk In
drug store Many a lemon and lime
he's mixed for me, and / dropped In
for one this morning. He was just
back from II months vacation. Here's
a note he sent you. by the way
Trembling Daisy opened the note,
while Dane strolled away. his heart
singing ms II had never sung before.
Dear Daisy"-the note read. I'm
n cad. I'm not a rich guy from Chicn-
90 mt al so | quit you cold yester-