, 1921-08-20

last became exhausted. So. when Bron-
nou heard he had to release another
prisoner IN pathetic descriptive prose.
he lost heart and patience. and re-
beiled.
ANDY he ssia. sadly md impress
siveiy. IL I have written that story
once. I n written Il twenty tlmee.
I have described Moynnensing with
tho moonlight falling on It's walls:
I have described &; with the walls hin.
ing IN he rain; I have described Il
covered with the pure white snow that
falls on the Just Is well as on the
criminal: and I have made the blood
hounds IN the jaii-yard howl dismaily
ant there are no bioodhounis. as you
very well know: ana I have made re-
leased ~convicfs declar@their intention
TO lead n better n a purer life, when
they only said. If youse put anything
In the paper about mo III lay for YOU;
and I have made them fall on the necks
Of their weeping wives. when they only
asked. Did you bring me some to-
hAeco? I'm sick for a pipe; and I will
not write any more abou IL; n II I
do. I win do IT here in the ofice, and
that Is all there is 10 It"
"oh yes. I think you WILL said the
city editor. easily.
Let some n else do ~" Bronson
pleaded-"some one who hasn't done
the thing to death, who will get a new
point OF lew" Conway, who had
stopped writing. and had been grinning
at Bronson over the city editors back.
grew suddenly grave and absorbed. and
began to write again with feyerish in
dustry. Conway. now. he's great OF
that sort OF thing. Hes"
The city editor laid a clipping from
tho morning paper on the desk. and
took a roll OF bills from his pocket.
There's the preliminary story" lie
said. CONWAY wrote It. n II moved
several good people 10 stop a; he bust
ness ONCE on their way downtown and
leave something for the released con-
viets Christmas dinner. The story IS
a very good story. and impressed them"
ne went on. counting out the bills ms
he spoke. TO the extent of nfty-hye
dollars o take that n give II TO
him. and tell him TO forget the pa 81.
and keep TO the narrow road. and leave
jointed jimmies alone. That money will
give you an excuse for talking TO him
and he may say something grateful 10
the paper. and comraent on Its enter-
prise Come. now, get up. I'VE spoiled
you W boys. You've been sulkfEg all
the evening because Conway got that
1900 oN1 INV gOd ~ tulkl1K pC1uqf
you have got a better one. Think OF IL
getting out OF prison after four years
and on Christmas Eve! It's n beauti-
ful story just as it is. But he added.
grtmly. you'll try TO Improve on II.
ana grow maudiin. l believe some
times you'd turn a red light on the
dying gladiator"
The conscientiously industrious Con-
way, now that his fear OF being sent
out again vas at rest. laughed at mi.
with conciliatory mfrth. and Bronson
smiled sheeplshly. and peace was re-
stored between them.
But as Bronson capitulated. he tried
to make conditions. Can / take a
cab7" he asked.
The city editor looked at his watch.
YES he said: you'd better: it's late.
and we go to press carly tonight. re-
member"
And can I lend my stun down by
tho driver and : go homer" Bronson
went on. Il can write It up there. and
leave tho cab at Fifteenth Street. near
our house. I don't want to come I'll
the way downtown again"
No" a the chief; "the driver
might lose It, or get drunk. or some
hing
Then can I AXE Gallagher with tae
10 bring II back7' asked Bronson. Gal
iesher was one OF the ONCE boys.
The city editor stared at him grimly.
wouldn't you like a typewriter. aud
Conway TO write the story for You. ana
a hot supper sent after ?" he asked.
mo; Gallagher win dor Rror.aa
4
Gallagher had his overcoat on and a
n ina at the door when Bronson
came down the stairs and stopped 10
light a cigar In the hallway.
G to Moyamensing." said GalleSher
to the driver.
Galiegher looked at the man To 40.
II he would show himself suf,cientiv
human to express surprise at their
visiting such a place on such a night.
but the man only gathered up his reins
lmpassively. and Gallagher stepped
into the cab with a feeling of disap-
pointment at having missed a point.
looked out with boyish interest at the
passing holiday-mskers. The pave
ments were full Or them and their by,n-
dies. and the street as well, with wayer-
ing lines OF medical students and clerks
blowing toyfully on the horns. and
pushing through the crowd with ono
hand on the shoulder of the man In
front The Christmas green's hung in
long lines, n only stopped where a
street crossed. and the shop fron.s
were SO brilliant that the street was as
light as day.
1t was SO light that Bronson could
read h clipping the city editor had
given him.
What is it we are going on7' asked
Gallagher.