Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-06-24

She had never been IN such 4
place. CaSs thought II drab and
horrible. with It's smell OF cooking
and dusty carpet. It's dingy walls
and detected Nottingham curtains.
No thrills here. surely But Lame
where was Liane7
The woman caught a glimpse OF
a familiar red hat in the gloom OF
the back room. She staggered for
ward. Lame, child" she cried. She
had the girl III her arms, sobbing.
CaSs Strengthened up. She said 10
the young policeman standing 50
sternly near by. IL am her mother.
What has ~happened?" Molly Cronin
she ignored.
Shane McDermid eyed her stern
ly. "Plenty'S happened These two
were In here tonight with a coupla
tough boys from downtown. One OF
the guys pulled a rod an his part
nerS In Bellevue with a slug IN
his chest. Whether he'll live or
not I don't know but, alive or
dead, It's bad business"
Cas- hand went 10 her breast
automatically In the gesture OF
terror she had so often used on the
stage.
What's a kid like this" the
policeman continued. belligerently,
dom out with these gorillas?"
I'm sure / eve dreamed"
CaSS' voice was angry too nov.
Lame, how could you ever do
such a thlng?"
She whirled on the man OF the
law. a new thought terrifying her.
She's nOt-sheS not under arrest?
What are you going 70 do with
hcr7"
Hold her. said the young nan
St0lidly. Then. more mCrcifully. he
added. Hold her for a witness. i
can and will unless YOU explP1n 20
my satisfaction. ma'am. why a Slip
Of a child like this n IS let run
the streets 40 night"
oh. I can, officer, I cani' Cas-
painted. Lame * never allowed 10
80 out without me and she's a
good girl She really 40 Why. she's
only out Of 81. AIMS. ND at Peek
skill. these two weeksl"
st. AIMS. eh? unused Shane
McDermid. %Softening. He looked az
Lame again. Cass continued. III
know she didn't know what she
was getting intol It's only that
she's been working so hard-at
Willabaugh's. you know. On her
feet all dag, poor child, and no
fun afterward. And then it's been
50 hot. Everybody does foolish
things when it's hot" She was
frankly pleading now. she has 80
few friends in the city and ! sup
pose she wanted a bit OF excite
ment for once. You know how
young girls are
Well. she got excitement, all
right said the policeman, nodding
grimly. And though I'm ashamed
10 say II. it's my own cousin here
that's responsible for dragging her
into this" He favored Molly with
q baleful stare. MY own flesh and
blood" he admitted, nodding his
head SOrrOWfully.
Cant YOU let her 20 nOW7r CaSs
pleaded"IN give you my name
and address. You can Car on us N
you need us. only don't give her
name 10 the paperSi She's Just a
baby. II would be too horriblel'
McDermid looked around reflect
lively. One OF his men came 10 the
door. looked in. said "Oke. serg-
cant" 20 something McDermid
muttered. and went away again.
Shane took Molly's arm. Look We
here" he said. ~fiercely. take this
child and her mother out that back
door. r. leads into a court-some
store arcade-and you can get
through 10 23rd street. And all OF
you say a prayer that boy gets
better
Cas- tried % thank him. she
couldn't, somehow. lie waved them
off. To Molly ne said meaning
fully. iii be SEEM your
When Molly. Shamefaced. had
taken leave or them Cas-. very
tired now. turned toward the the
at-r with her daughter. Lane
Jagged along. casting occasional
frightened glances at her mothers
white, set face.
Mother. I'm terribly sorry
she began. Cass turned % her.
Don't say another word" she
commanded. In a breaking voice.
ITS my fault. utterly mine. A
child like YOU. in this town. It's
unthinkable. You ought to be pet