Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-06


Of light exploded in his aching tenn
pies, he ran. He gained the few stone
steps upon which the man stood, tor
turing Grace. His fist few wildly into
the air. 1t hit something.
RICHES eyes closed for a brief Sec
ond; he waited to receive singing
blow. He opened his eyes. The man
lay senseless upon the little stone floor,
his head hanging back toward the
lower steps.
ooh, it's you," said Grace. "Kid, you
got yourself IN something now! You
ought to have stayed out. He's my
husband"
Richie looked at her dumbly. Hus-
band? No girl he knew had a huS-
band There must be some mistake.
I've tried to dodge him. He's try
ing to take the kid away from me.
She's only a year old. II want to
keep her. He says he has a court
order for her, and I either have to
live with him or give her up"
Kid? Court order? What was all
this? He had wanted to take Grace
dancing, perhaps, to the theater :. 1t
occurred to Richie that something ought
to be done about an unconscious man
minute.
Now he's found me, I'll have to move
again and haven't any money, and. as
soon as he comes to. he'll call a cop
and Oh, what shall do?"
A COP? What had all this to do with
Richie and tricky-looking fapper?
"All want is my kid and to be left
alone. Why does he hound me? don't
want him. don't want anybody-just
my kid and to hold my job to keep her"
Tears were streaming down the face
of the girl with whom Richie had want
cd to dance. She was far away from
him, talking of things he aldn't know
about. Serious things. Who'd have
thought anybody would be serious in
such a nice world?
wait here a minute" Richie COM
manded. "Sit down and put this birds
head in your lap"
DoWN the street now. Fast, but not
~ fast enough to draw attention.
God, let Mack be there and let him re-
member that he gave him his last nVe.
God. please
There was Mack.
Mack, come with me. Bring the cab.
Cripes, don't ask questions. I don't
know what I done. it for, or anything
| about it! Come on!"
"Didja kill somebody KIDD"
st don't think so, Mack; maybe,
though. Here, stop right here, where
the girl is on the stoop."
Mack stopped. Richie jumped off the
running board of the car, and Mack
| followed him up the steps.
"He's-he's all right" Grace said.
i've been feeling to see If his hearts
still pumping. I've got to leave here"
she went on, right away. I'd like to
beat it to another town, but I
Get dressed" Richie said. "I'n be-
back soon. Wait for me here"
What you doing with this?" Mack
| indicated the unconscious man.
Were putting him in your cab and
taking him for ride. Come on, Mack!
City Island" said Richie.
Richie and Mack stuffed the man
| into the back of the car. Grace disap-
| peared into the darkened hallway.
Out of Fordham. past the Zoo. Down
a long, endless lane of black trees and
solemn quiet Farther out toward the
water. A lonesome night. :.
On the dark grass, in deserted spot,
Mack and Richie laid their burden
Mack fumbled under the mans vest.
"Yeh," he whispered. "she was right
| His hearts working, kid"
He turned toward the cab. "Coming?"
"Just a minute. This bird ought to
have some kale and she said something
about leaping to another town. Say.
Mack. can you beat that? He's only
got seven bucks on him, and him
dressed up like"
Il got $115 kid. Crap game. Take
what you want of it."
THAT'S swell. I'll clean him out,
anyhow. The walk back will do him
good"
Grace was waiting outside the house.
There was a bundle in ner arms. IL
was wrapped in wool: it had couple
of bright eyes and smelled of talcum
powder. He picked up valiSe that
stood beside her.
"Where you want to go?" he asked.
II don't know. I've got about 81.
Where can I go for that?"
How would you like to try Rochester
| town like that? My friend here, Mr..
Mcconnell. will finance the trip"
I'll go somewhere. If you could just
pay my fare, I'd manage when got
"Whatll it be?" asked Mack. Grand
Central or Penn station?"
Penn"
TN the cab she turned and smiled at
Richie over the bundle she held in
| her arms. Gee, you're good kid" she
I said
He was silent. He took off his hat
and studied the band on it. Grace's
fingers wandered to his hair. She pat
ted thoughtfully the hard, glimmering
surface.
And not hair mussed," she. unused
| poor kid, this has been lot of news
to you, hasn't it?"
What do you mean?"
"Oh. I don't know. I'm kind Of
shaken. guess"
At Penn station they said good-by.
Grace took $50 beside the 81 Richie
handed her. She was apologize.
II wouldn't take so much, only I
mightnt get job right away-and
with the kid. you know"
Richie and Mack nodded. They said
good-by to her. She thanked them and
melted into crowd that was pushing
toward the train. She was gone.
well, let's chase uptown" Mack sug-
"Mack, I want to go up in the sub
way You don't mind, do you?"
mo, but what's the idea?"
"I don't know. I just feel like ride
In the subway"
Grave your own company, huh? Well,
good night, kid"
Good night, Mack Thanks"
"So's your old man."
When the conductor called his station
Richie left the train. He turned up his
coat collar The air was cold Well,
it would be November in another couple
of days. Funny he'd never stopped to