New Britain herald., 1927-03-14


 head in her lap.
 Costello was lying on his sid on a row Of cases a few feet away The Italians eyes were closed. Hi lips were drawn back from hi white teeth in pain and his ches heayed laboriously. Teddy heart the rasping that accompanied eacl difficult breath. She touched DoI softly and he followed her glanc' toward Charley.
 Don reached over and placed hi hand on his friends shoulder.
 Charley" ha said gently. Tn awfuily sorry, old man, that l asked you 70 help me. I got you into thi mess, You'd he at home all smut and comfortable now if it hadn been for me"
 The young gangster turned hi. face toward his old-time buddy anc 1 q wry smile twisted his mouth.
 Don't you 20 to worryin' 'bou me, Aneelface." he said with Z forced jocularity. q was glad tc help you"
 lie was silent for several sec. onds. His speech was becoming more difficult as the moment: passed
 T don't s'pose he ever told you did hc," he continued after awhile turning to Teddy, bout how he crawled across q shot-torn battle field in Francc-himself near dead I'm gas Dombs-an dragged his huddy-me-to safety? No course he wouldn't-tell that. Well, that's what-he done."
 He paused again, as his teeth flashed in a crjmacc Of pain. There was no doubt that he was hurt badly
 Listen, Don-Miss Farrell" His words came jerkily. Strength was rapidly leaving him. My wife, he went on--''my dear sweet wife got against - dope throUgh-flu when IT was in-in France, When l c-came back-I found her-hooked, Been givin' it toto her m'self lately cuttin' down dose. Got 30-grain solution in-in pocket, Hypo, too. Get it out-for me. wilI--will you an'-an' gimme shot? Can't stand this pain-any longcr."
 Charley Costello had unwittingly called upon Donald Keene to do the one thing he hated above all things 10 do. Don had witnessed many times during his year of service overseas the results of morphine to wounded soldiers. He had seen men fight and claw, beg and cry, for the drug. He made as to rise and comply, but Teddy anticipated him. She took the hypodermic and eingcrly adjusted the needle.
 Fill th' gun-quarter full,' di- r"ctod Costello. "Thatll be half q grain-it holds two grains-15 full hypos in tn bottle"
 When the instrument was ready. Teddy lost heart. Don saw her white face, and took the hypo- dcrmic from her. Holding mp the skin on his friends left side he jabbod he needle in and pressed the piston.
 Better take ono--one yourself. Don," advised the young gangster. mo use suffcrin' moren nec 'sary."
 Although in an agony of pain Don shook his head.
 Not for mine" he said decisive ly. I've seen too much of it's work"
 The wounded Italian leaned his head back against tho cement wall and waited for the drugs promised relief.
 But the pain he was suffering was ov"rpowcring the morphines effect, although he had been given a hig dosage.
 ''Thar's neycr-goin' [ get it." he finally jo'k,d out. Gimme mother shot-Miss. Miss Farrell! Make it a-a good one this-this time; half q gunful, Might as wel-croaH one--way's 'nother."
 Teddy hesitatod.
 Damn ii! Ain't-yuh gonna do it."
 The Italians face was twisted in contorilon of helpless rage and su'fcrinE
 Its hell--I-tcll you. For tn love O God, gimme mother shot,"
 Teddy glanced at Don, then: All right-all right, l will. Hore,"
 She rcfilled the gun - half full this time. A whole grain, She didn't shrink this time but admin istered il, watching the man with sorroWtul eyes. In few moments she saw him begin to relax. The whole grain of morphia was get ting in it's work
 The hours dragged by, seemingly