New Britain herald., 1924-03-29
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

grudge the poor girl anything but Tn curious about her slipping away likt that. She was just a girl, wasnf she? Didn't 1lse say she was young?' Ma Brennan nodded.
 she thought she was, from thu 1 slmness of her even in the blanket an though she tottered weak-lik' she was half runnin', as if sh, couldn't get in quick enough out O
 the horror of 1t all, an small won der! Nobody seen her go. Th' card is up there on the shelf in m.
 sewing box, Michael. an I can giv' her back her money. "Twould b' Sallie's wish. well I know"
 Miss Bertha Hcsmer.'" Mix read. This isn't a regular visiting
 card. Ma: it is just cheap thint
 printed on one of those little hand
 presses like they have out at thu amusement park. You'd hardl,
 think a girl who would carry tha
 could afford to throw couple O ! ffty-dollar bills around so easy, ana why do you suppose she didn't write a word of explanation on it or ever her addressF'
 What woVld she be writin' it with the burnt end of a match?" Ma Bren. nan demanded. "'Twas the only ex. planation she could make. 1.eavin the card with the money showed that somebody'd been here an paid for somethin'. so that when found the clothes gone wouldn't think a thief had broke in"
 Its hard to tell the ways of ProI- denee, Ma," he remarked. There's little l can say to you 10 comfort you now, but you don't know what you have done for me tonight, giving me this lock of hair! How beautiful and bright it was wasn't it. Almost too bright to be natural! If hadn't known sallie since she was a little girl I would have wondered if maybe she didn't touch it up.'
 Take shame to yourself. Michael Curtis, for the thoucht!" Ma Brennan exclaimed in honest horror Sallie would have cut it off first, an well ye know it."
 "T know that" he assented wist- fully, and picked up his hat from a chair. i've got to get over 10 Head- quarters now, Ma. and sec the Chief. You'll try to get little sleep and take care of yourself tomorrow in case I don't run in?"
 You've not got 10 get back on the job again so soon? I thought the Chief gave ye couple of days more--?"
 Tt isn't certain. Something came up only tonight and l may have to go out of town again. never can tell how long these trips will take. you know, and Of course can't write you but I'll tell Jim Nolan to have his mother come over every day and see that you're not letting your self break down." He came over to her chair and flung a boyishly affec- tionate arm about her shoulders. Ma, 1 wish there was something | could say to you but--but I can't, only to beg you 10 be fine and brave. and bear np as well as sallie herself would expect Of you"
 "f'll be all right. Michael. and it's good of you to be botherin' about a sad old woman like me!'' She reached up and patted his cheek. You've your work and your life be- fore you, and I've the fight with the railroad company and the insurance people to take up mo mind so wen just have to fry 10 go on TIT he missin'' ye but wishin ye luck if ye have to go."
 He kissed her and not trusting him- self to say any more. turned and went out past the dark little parlor to inc front door. When he had closed it behind him he went slowly down the path 10 the gate and paused there leaning upon if and looking up and down the struggling lane.
 At the right if terminated abrupt iy at the railroad bridge and only and grimy factories loomed beyond, but to the Jeff after reach- ing the end of the row Of little double houses it dvindled into a mere path skirting vacant lots and bogs 10 the suburban trolley line.
 Mike thrust his hands in his pockets and with lowered head saun- tered slowly in that direction. 4 few lamps still glimmered from the little houses but the ones at the end of the row were deserted and falling into decay and the winding path lay iD dense darkness ahead.
 After a quarter of a mile. however. the rows Of lights marking the trol- ley line came into view and as the hum Of an approaching car reached his ears Mike auickened his pace and finally broke into run, swinging himself aboard the back platform just in the nick of time.
 Hello, George." he exclaimed brisklv. You haven't got much Of a load going into town this trip"
 The lanky. rawboned conductor his glance into the interior of the car. where only a few work men returning from suburban jobs slouched drowsily in the cross-seats and responded grimly:
 Its been busy enough these last lew days. Sergeant! Folks from miles around piled in to see the wreck of the Arrow and we had time Of handlin' the crowds, I tell you, Ffercest thing ever hit shafts town Was you there ss'