New Britain herald., 1924-03-21
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

Brennan exclaimed meaningly. s1t
 don't seem that Michael was amy
 sooner out O the army and back or the Force than he loses the uniform
 again, this time for a shield! Young.
 est plainclothes man-Why Sallie
 child,'
 Don't talk about Mike any more Ma.' The girl spoke through sci
 teeth. IT don't ever want to heai
 his name again!-Oh, there's some
 body on the porch! I'm going up- stairs!'
 But she was too late, for after one
 stupefied glance Ma Brennan waddled
 to the door and opened it, admitting
 the stalwart subject of her inter- Jrrpted eulogy.
 Hello. Ma. The hearty voice of
 Detective Sergeant Michael Curtis
 boomed through the little kitchen as
 he shook her hand. How are you
 onight?-Where's Sallie---,"
 His rowing glance had passed her and stopped and the eagerly expect ant smile died 6n his lips for the girl confronted him from the stairway ! with blazing eyes.
 'I thought you were on duty to- night" She spoke jerkily in an effort at calm.
 No, last night
 Hast night!'" Sallie caught him up with whitening scorn. "I'm wise to where you were last night. Mike Curtis, and other evenings besides when you were pulling this duty stuff and getting away with it--not. Why ain't you at the Empire tonight, listening to her tickle the ivories?"
 His face whitened beneath the tan and then colored a dull red while hurt, falf-bewildered look came into his brown eyes, like those of faith full dog which has been kicked when he expected a caress.
 "Sallie--girl. You don't under stand!' He advanced a step or two pleadngly as Ma Brennan gasped and looked from one to the other of them. You've got 10 listen to me. I've got a right to tell you, to ek- plain-!"
 "There's some things that don't need explaining!" Salie struck the banister rail sharply with her small fist. What you done is your busi- ness. Mike, and who you run around with; thank goodness, N never give you any reason 10 think you had to hand me an eXcuse"
 "No--reason!' Michaels jaw set "I told you was on duty; l couldn't say any more before"
 And you cant now, not to me! Shy, listen, Mike. and get this straight" She paused and then said slowly through lips grown suddenly white. "I don't want 10 see you again, not ever! hate lies, and I'm throUgh.'
 For a moment longer he gazed at her and back of the hurt look in his eyes something else dawned which she had never seen there before. Then he drew himself up. bowed stiff ly and wheeled as though on parade, 10 lay his hand for moment on Ma Brcnnans shoulder and then pass with a firm tread out into the night
 Sallie flew up to- her room like q small whirlwind and locked the door before her trembling hands sought match. Mechanically but with fever ish haste she undressed. avoiding her own eyes in thte little mirror over the dresser, then turning out the gas she opened her window and flung herself across the bed, her whole body shak- ing.
 Nobody lied--said that cried about you-o-o!'" One of 1lse Thorkin- ! sens new records blared mockingly 1 from the photograph next door, and l from the kitchen below on the left Of | their own two-famiiy house came the I odors Of vinegar. spices and | lot grease as Mrs. Schmidt and her i son oscar prepared the following l days supply for their delicatessen 1 store but sound and odor were alike i swiftly annihilated when the Western 1 Limited roared past. shaking the 1 himsy frame houses and leaving the i creeping stench of coal-gas in its l wake. Poor crippled Hughie Rob- ] bins "a was not so far gone in drink i that l1e had forgotten his job.
 Presently Ma Brennan, sniffing | audibly, crept with heavy-footed eau ton up the. stairs to listeh for mo- ment at Sailie's door and then pass | on 10 her own. The odors of sauer- | Lraten and boiling smoked meats l ceased to rise from below and the l photograph was silent but at f intervals a slow freight beloved past. ruffing and grinding on the rails. or a late local chugged fussily along. it's reeking breath blowing in at her | window. and still the girl ley with i hot. dry eyes staring into the dark ness.
 The trains grew less frequent and ! in a period of silence distant clock booned the hour of midnight.
 Dawn brought sharp nip of cold and the gentle slow fall of rain pre- ssgine steady downpour. With the | first batter Of drops on the tin roof Ma BrenBanfs bedsprings just beyond4f the thin partition ereaked and her groaBs were audible ss she shuffled liavily about the room. Tn a twink ling sallie spranr from her own bad. i fumbled for slippers and a fiinsy I kimono and unlocked her door.
 T forgot an left me clothes out all 1 night. the Eversiey hand-embryded