New Britain herald., 1927-01-11

"He doesn't look any more Ike our man than I do," was hor disap- pointed comment.
 The supervisor @miled.
 Tho victim, sNe cdlcd. had & three days growth of beard on his face, for one thing. Jim Eiwell Wa freshly shaved"
 Jack Ncvin shrugged his shoul- dcrs and braced his crutches be- meath him.
 My story" lie said brightly "soes flooey-iust like that"
 Your story" Nellie Downing re- peatcd. What do you mean, your story? Surely you're not
 He stole a shrewd look at the lit- tie lady he had met in France. Hc1 face wore an expression of shocked surprise and touch of severity. pri- vatcly he told himself that she looked pretty this way, too.
 Then he strengthened up and per. lnitted himself another and q longer look at her. He shook his head sadly.
 Tell me, please" he asked and the query. though whimsical, was il' po-wise flippant, tell me, how de you get that way?'
 was calmly spoken. Il was az though he had asked. DO you pre- fer asparagus to artichokes?'
 She eyed him calmly. How do l get what way" she came back st him quickly. What are you talk ing about"
 Jack Nevin fumblcd in q pocket of his coat and produced package ot cigarets. He drew one out and LOOK il between his fingers
 What are you thinking about he countercd.
 I'm thinking" she told him grossly, that you'd better get busy and talk to your smart police
 He smiled good uaturedly.
 "Where," Nellie asked him. in softer accents. do we go from here? ?'
 Search mo. I'll get busy pronto." He began to hobblo away.
 'I'll ask my good friend, the car- tain," he turned to inform her. and looked around for telephone.
 His rowing eyes encountered q booth. He hoped across to it. Nellie Downing heard him drop the coin and saw him take down the re- ceiver.
 Left to her thoughts again. she was assailed by a thousand fears and misgivings. She began 10 think of Jim lying dead somewhere, per haps at the bottom of river.
 Why, she accused herself, had she been so careless as to leave hlm, oven for a few brief minutes? TO have nursed him so long" she said aloud. "and to have this horrible thing happen on the day before he was to leave for home--oh. l cant forgive myself
 Inside the telephone booth Jack Ncvin was saying: Hello. Cap? This is Nevin out at Met hospital l got a bum steer out here. The young fellow they picked up is the wrong nartv, Got any more dope?"
 Silence at the hospital end of the wire. Then
 What's that? What You sure? Gimme all the particulars. Oh. what q hell of shame.
 Silence again. Then, with a Good by. Cap-thanks," he hung up tn" receiver. pushed open the door and bracing his crutches under his arms made his way out. His face was very grave.
 Miss Downing" he said slowly. softly, step here minute"
 Nellie moved to him quickly.
 "Now. listen. Jim Elwel is To- cated"
 "Yes?" Nellie cried, her breath going in one big gasp
 NOW, get a grip on yourself - Nellie. All right"
 She nodded. and the awful look in her eyes hurt him cruelty.
 Well, he's in Bellevue hospital with a fractured skull. Hit by a truck at Fourteenth and Broadway,
 Are you sure it's Jim" Nellie Downing pluclied pitifully at his coat sleeve. Are they sure ":
 "Thcy found q letter in his coat pocket" Jack Nevin said, "addresscd to Mrs. Edwin Elwell, Ocean View staten Island, called up the place and got all the dope
 He paused for a breath.
 Hes done for. they say, Not q chance for him, How'll we get it to his folks? Better let mo ease i' 10 them by degrees. It's going 10 floor that pretty mother Of his if she gets it all at once.-Hell,"
 He lurched forward on his crutch- es and caught at Nellie Downing as her body sagged toward the floor.