Evening star., 1924-11-23

-
and a cripple. The purse
was half dollar given the younger
Kelly by a lady whose electric had
just missed humping his soul from
his frail little body.
Connie did not know Midse was in
the house, else he never would have
risked laying the prize on the arm Of
the least comfortable chair in the
room. the better to observe its shin
ing beauty. AS Midge entered from
the Kitchen the cripple covered the
coin with his hand, but the move
ment lacked the speed requisite to
escape the brothers quick eye.
"Whatcha got there?" demanded
Midge
''Nothin'," said Connie.
You're a one-legeed liar!' said
Midge.
He strode over to his brothers
chair and grasped the hand that con-
cealed the coin.
Let LOOSE" he ordered.
Connie began to cry.
Let loose and shut up your noise"
said the elder. and jerked his bro
Tiers hand from the chair arm.
The coin fell onto the bare floor
Midee pounced on It, His weak
mouth widened in a triumphant
smile.
'Nothin'. huh?' he said. "Ali right,
If it's nothin'. you don't want it,"
Give that back" sobbed the
younger
I'll give you red nose. you little
sneak! Where'd you steal ft?"
Il didn't steal 1t. It's mine. A lady
give it to me after she pretty near
hit me with car"
It's a crime she missed YOU" said
Midge.
Mdge started for the front door
The cripple picked up his crutch. rose
from his chair with difficulty. and
still sobbins, came toward Midse
The latter heard him and stopped
You'd better stay where you're at
he said.
Il want my money" cried the boy.
doubling up the fist that held the
half dollar, he landed with all his
strength on his brothers mouth.
Connie fell to the floor with a thud
me crutch tumbling on top Of him.
Midge stood beside the PROSTATE
form.
rs that enough?" he said "or
DO you want this tooe"
And he kicked him in the crippled
leg.
guess that'll hold YOU" he said
lhere was no response from the
poy on the floor. Midge looked at
hlm moment. then at the coin in
his hand. and then went out into the
street, whistling
An hour later. when Mrs Kelly
came nome from her days work at
Fauikners Steam Laundry, she found
connie on the floor moaning. Drop-
ping on her knees beside him. she
called him by name score Of times
Then she got up and, pale as ohn.t
oashed from the house. Dr.. Ryan
Ieft the Kelly abode about dusk ana
walked toward Halstead street. Mrs
Dorsan spied him as he passed her
gate. ieA
who's sick. doctore" she called
POOR little Connie" he replied
He had bad fall"
How did It happeno"
can't say for sure, Margaret but
Id almost bet he was knocked down :"
Knocked down" exclaimed Mrs
Dorgan. -A' o
why who-c"
Have you seen the other one
lately?" o'e
Michael? No. not since mornin,
You can't be thinkin'-"
wouldn't put II past him, Mar
garet,' said the doctor gravely. "The
Iads mouth is swollen and cut. and
MS poor, SKINNY little les is bruised.
He surely didn't do # to himself and
tnihk Helen suspects the other one"
Lord save usl' said Mrs Dorgan,
IlE:run over and see if can help"
Ihats good woman" said Dr.
Ryan, and went on down the street
X X
NEAR midnight. when Midge came
home, his mother was sitting al
Comics bedside. She did not look up.
Well" said Midge, whats the
matter?"
She remained silent Midge re-
peated his question.
Michael, you know what's the mat
ter she said at length.
Il don't know nothin'," said Midse.
Don't lie to me, Michael. What
did you do to your brother?'
"Nothin'."
You hit him"
Well, then, l hit him. What of it?
1t amt the first time"
Her lips pressed tightly together
her face like chalk. Ellen Kelly rose
from her chair and made straight for
him. Midge backed against the door.
Lay off n me. ma l don't want to
fight no woman"
Still she came on. breathing heav-
stop where you're at. ma" he
warned.
There was a brief struggle and
Midge's mother lay on the floor be-
fore him.
You amt hurt, ma. You're lucky
uiun iaHo SooQ. ana L tOlQ you 10
lay off'n me-"
God forgive you. Michael"'
Midge found Hap Collins in the
showdown game at the Royal.
Come on out minute" he said.
Hap followed him out on the walk
I'm leavin' town for a VILE" said
Midge.
What for?"
well, we had a little run-in up to
the house. The kid stole a half buck
off'n me, and when 1 went after 1t he
cracked me with his crutch. So /
nailed him. And the old lady came
her and she fell down"
How is Connie hurt?"
Not bad"
What are you runnin' away for?"
"Who the hell said 1 was runnin'
away2 I'm sick and tired o gettin'
picked on; that's all So I'm leavin'
for vile and 1 want a piece O.
money"
Il amt only got six bits" said
Happy,
Well. come through with it."
Happy came through.
You oughtn't to hit the kid" he
said.
II amt astin' you who 1 can HIT"
snarled Midge. You try to put some
thin over on me and you'll get the
same dose. I'm goin' now"
GO as far as you like" said Hap
by, but not until he was sure that
Kelly was out of hearing.
Early the following morning Midge
boarded a train for Milwaukee. He
had no ticket, but no one knew the
difference. The conductor remained