Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-06-09

ways they were "good lockers"
also. But the law was making II
pretty seri0us-the new laws
they couldn't yet away with II any
more, and the law had no mercy.
Mercy That was not strictly
true. The man who came for her
had mercy. He had allowed her
TO 20 down and break ruthlcssly
with Brian before Brian could ruin
himself over her. she knew what
would have happened IL Brian had
heard about her first In spite Of
her misery this thought sent a lit
tie wave OF warmth and happiness
over her. He would have been
true.
When she came out Of her room
she was white but entirely COM
posed ana Detective Jimmy O'Hara
was politely thankful 10 her for not
making a scene
Ii was a bad night, slippery with
light failing sleet, and taxis moved
like careful ghosts. feeling their
way along on clanking chains. I'm
der a street light the officer saw
her waxen profile outlined against
the dark lining or the cab.
you're sure there amt a ea6k-
tleman you'd ask 10 see ~
through this?r he muttered clurf-
silly. He had asked that question
before and she had told him ~.
But he had known ONE 10 take
that stand often-declare utter
friendlessness when they had an
army OF rich relations. Women In
trouble were n lot like hirds-they
fluttered and tried 70 fight of the
hand that was helping them. Con-
trarily he persisted: THAT young
fellow-he'd a been glad 70 back
you up IL you hadn't bawled him
out so strong"
That made her smile-a queer
twisted lift or her drawn LIP. Did
i? Was ii really strongf' she ques-
toned with a curious childishness.
officer Jimmy scratched his
square head. II a dame ever
talked thataway 70 me ia have
passed her up I'm the first five sec
ondS." lie ruminated: But he
hung on like a bun pup. You
couldn't hardly shake him of."
Her head sank forward and lie
heard her sigh. This affected BIN
strangely. Policemen must guard
themselves closely against pity and
he corfned his to kids and stray
kittens. For women like this p
-golddiggers, confidence mollS-he
should have no feeling whatever.
But he slipped n glance nc her and
found that her p~rohle-the delicate
outline he had marveled at-was
now in shadow. She was a dull
! blur IN the corner az the cab. Int
one hand, bare n little above the
wrist. lay on the cushions between
them. and in the s%emi-1loom 10
looked dead white and limp. He
wondered II she had tainted.
Its a bad night under the
wheels" he said 10 try her out "I
hone we don't bump another car n
She did not answer though
knew she heard and nt that NOV
ment the car did skid and he i
weight was thrown against hirH
He graSped her hand TO steady
her. }
she turned her head sllghtly and!
spoke. You were very good "a
let me 20 down"
That embarrassed him. "T hated
10 hang around, lady. %listenin' 10
you an your sweetie, but ! had 10
keep you in sight"
"Nhy-do You call him thatT'
His embarrassment grew: he
hadn't ean 10 use just that word
to her. but there didn't seem IN he
any other. "WeIl. anybody could
see that he was-that you was
Anyway. I had 10 be there. / felt
kinda foolish"
II know. You have 70 watch peo-
nle who are-arrested." She tore
the word from her throat. but once
spoken her head went up. 1T was
your duty"
II made them both feel better.
81 wish you'd let your friends know
about this" O'Hara persisted. tx
cuse me ma'am. but ! don't think
you know how 10 manage n brsi-
ness like this. There's got no "A
somebody"
There II 10 One,T she my
ed with a touch ri imnatier