Evening star., 1925-10-18

| moments a vague doubt assailed his
| tired mind. The next instant every
consideration was banished by the
| sharp crack of bat. Otto Nelson had
| caught one right on the nose.
1t sounded like an explosion. BY all
tho laws of likelihood it was q home
run. The crowd arose as one man.
The air was black with firemen's hats.
Bedlam lasted five seconds, and then
was blanketed. Twenty thousand eyes
were following flying figure in center
field, who was running as no police
officer had ever run before.
With the crack Of the bat Mulhall
had started for the fence. Love light.
| ened his feet and desperation lent him
wings. Over his shoulder he caught
! the blurred line of the oncoming ball.
The wind was holding 1t up. Ahead of
him loomed the fence.
God help me-" he shouted. "Nora"'
And putting all his energies into the
effort, he left the ground in a spinning
| leap, stabbed bindly with huge bare
paw, and felt the exquisite smack as
his fingers closed upon the flying
leather. The next instant he had
smashed into the fence. Never was
there seen such a catch in the history
of the ball park.
A panic of shy happiness seized Joe
Mulhall. He waved the ball at the
shrieking stands, showed it into his
pocket and darted through the open
door of the clubhouse. He heard
frienzied yells Of Joe, Joe" but he
thought they were cheering him.
Into the dressing room he staggered.
Listen to EN-" he jubilated. We'll,
that's one time the firemen don't get
the cheers"'
There was a clatter Of desperate
fielder for the police. Michael was
pop-eyed and purple.
THE ball!' he shrieked THE ball.
You fool, gimme the ball"'
He wrenched the sphere out Of Null
halls back pocket and hurled 1t
| through the open window. The short
stop grabbed it and relayed 1t home.
But, alas. the damage had been done!
The tying and the winning run had
both scored after the catch was made,
and the game was now over.
For minute the full force Of the
catastrophe failed to penetrate the
dazed faculties of Joe Mulhall He
stood there with his mouth open and
his hands at his side. Gradually the
color drained from his face Awaken
ing horror lighted his eyes. His tired
comrades came trooping in. They said
no word to him, but one and all tagged
him down with both hands and the
gesture expressed more than words
could convey. Official condemnation
was intrusted to the captain, Collins.
that most Immaculate of men, who
eventually appeared with the sweat
pouring down his dusty features and
his socks hanging down around his
ankles.
II thought there were two outr"
whispered Mulhall.
The gray-haired apostle of the Mis-
sion Station appeared not TO hear. He
leaned against the wall for support.
drew deep breath and gave tongue.
Mulhal, sunk upon a bench in the
far corner, was a study in hopeless
misery.
was night, and once more Officer
Joseph Patrick Mulhall was walking
the building line of Sanchez street
He seemed to have encountered just
such another lonely night as he had
experienced when he joined the force
A slight drizZle was falling, and the
sidewalks were deserted. He paused
near the closed doors of the firehouse
From this angle he became aware
that light was burning in the office
of Con McCarron. The shades were
we'll drawn. but a thin beam showed