St. Tammany farmer., 1922-05-27
asked SO1icitOuSly.

Hes the fellow tipped us off his pal
was inside" answered one Of the pa
trolmen. He spoke in a whisper close
to the ear Of Jerry. Likely he knows
more than he let's on. Shall make q
pinch?'
The eyes of the gang leader mar
rowed. $50 he's friend Of this sec
ond-story bird, is he?"
"Y'betcha!" chirped up Johnnie,
"and I'm plumb tickled to take his
dust, too. Now, about this yere young
lady"
Jerry caught him hard on the side
of the Jaw with a short-arm jolt. The
range-rider hit the pavement hard.
Slowly he got to his feet nursing his
cheek.
what yuh do that for, doggone it1"
he demanded resentfu1ly. "Me,
wasn't lookin', for no trouble. Me,
T."
Durand leaped at him across the
sidewalk. His strong fingers closed
on the throat Of the bow-fegged
puncher.
The officers pried Jerry loose from
his victim with the greatest difficulty.
He tried furiously to get at him,
lunging from the men who were hold
ing his arms.
The puncher sank helplessly against
the wall.
Hes got all he can carry, Mr.. Du-
randi one Of the bluecoats said, sooth-
ingly. "You don't wantta croak the
little guy. Gimme the word, an I'll
run him in for drunk"
Jerry shook his head. "Nope Let
him CO. Pete"
! The policeman walked up to the
Runt and caught him roughly by the
arm. Move along outa here. I'd
ought to pinch you, but I'm not gonna
do 1t this time, see? You beat It'll"
Durand turned to one Of his follow
ers. ''Tail that fellow. Find out where
he's stayin' and report
Help!essly Johnnie went staggering
down the street He did not under
stand why he had been treated so, but
the instinct Of preservation car
ried him out of the danger zone with
out argument about 1t. Even as he
Wobbled away he was looking with un-
wavering faith to his friend to right
his wrongs. Clay would fix this fel-
low Durand for what he had done to
him.
Il
Clay did his best under the handicap
Of lack Of entente between him and
the authorities to search New York |
for Kitty. He used the personal col
umns Of the newspapers He got in
touch with taxicab drivers, ticket sci |
lers, postmen, and station guards. All |
the time he knew that In such maze
as Manhattan it would be miracle If |
he found her.
But miracles nre made possible by |
miraclc-No oriiers The Westerner Was +
a sixty horse power dynar,,, OF energy
He felt responsible for Kitty and he
gave himself with single-minded devo-
uon to the job Of discovering her.
When Clay met Kitty at last 1t was
trice was present at the time.
lie had been giving box party at
the Empire. The gay little group was
gathered under the awning outside the
foyer while the limousine that was to
take them to Shanley's for supper was
being called. Colin Whitford, looking
out into the rain that pelted down, ut
tered an explanatory "By Jove!'
Clay turned to him inquiringly.
A woman was looking out Of that.
doorway at u.s." he said. ''If she's not
n deep water I'm bad guesser. I
thought for moment she knew me or
some one Of us. She started to reach
'ut her hands and then shrank back"
Young Or old?" asked the cattle
nan.
"Young-a girl"
Excuse me-" The host was off In
IN instant, almost on the run.
But the woman had gone, swallowed
n the semidarkness Of q side street
1lay followed. j
Beatrice turned to her father, eye
Cus
wkWard silence.
"Mr. Lindsay will be back pres
ntly," Whitford said. well get in
nd wait for him out Of the way lit
le farther up the street"
When Clay rejoined them he talked =
] low voice with Beatrices father.
he mining man nodded agreement
nd Lindsay turned to the others. It
I'm called away" he explained '
loud. "Mr. Whitford has kindly prom
'ed to play host In my place. I'm $
ght sorry to leave, but it's urgent" II
His grave smile asked Beatrice to
e charitable In her findings. The eyes
he gave him were coldly hostile. He
new Beatrice did not and would not : :
:
Tie girl was waiting where Clay !
ad left her, crouched against base I
lent milliner's door under the shelter h
{ the steps. i
Tive looked for you everywhere" Q
oaned the girl. It's been--awful" o
Il know, but It's goin' to be all right Il
)w, Kitty" he comforted. you're
>in' home with me tonight. Tomor- 2
wv we'll talk it oil over
He tucked an arm under hers and :
d her along the wet, shining street 9
q taxicab. She crouched in a cor a
er Of the cab, her body shaken with
,h9 .