Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-26

was drifting over the roofs of the build
ings at the east side OF the park. People
were beginning to appear on the street
A man passed by. morning paper
pressed under his arm. When he was
opposite her. the paper slipped and fell
to the grass. She was about to call to
him to tell him ne had dropped it. No,
she must not. He'd wonder what she
was doing here at this hour. She waited
until he was at a safe distance, then
slipped out and picked up the paper.
If she wrapped 1t about her shoulders
il would keep off the morning chill.
She spread the paper on the bench.
A two-column heading at the top of the
front page jumped out at her in heavy
black type;
GUNNER MISS TARGET
IN WASHINGTON SQUARE
Joe Nelson's Son Misses Death by
Fraction OF inch.
Nielsen Accuses Miller Hirelings OF
Murderous Attack-SIX Suspects in
Police Lineup.
Why. that was all wrong! How could
there be six suspects In the police line
up when Joe Nielsen knew who had
attackedshiS son? ''Murderous attack"
With q mere sling-shot that had done
no more than ping the windshield OF
Neil's car?
Joe Nielsen was using Neil' Cath
leen told herself unbelievingly. Using
his own son! to get something on his
enemy, Miller. to NOV Miller down SO
that he, Nielsen, can climb over him:
Use. To a Nielsen. that's all people
were good for-to be used. Her father
they used him. And Neil wanted to use
her, Cathleen. for a prop. to bolster up
his own weak will.
I'm through with themF she crled
hotly. GAS through as through And
Joe Nielsen will not get away with this
outrageous accusation, either. He can
sacrifice innocent men. III tell what L
saw. I'll 60 to the paper and tell!
She straightened her hair and ner
dress as best she could and began 10
walk west. She would walk until the
sun was well up, until her father hao
had time to leave the house. Then she
would go home and let her mother
know she was all right.
II was 8 o'clock before Cathleen
Gained courage 10 approach the stone
steps of her home, and there she matted
abruptly. A trunk had been placed on
the stoop. Its end was toward heI,
with the initials &C. c." painted on "
in neat black letters.
while she hesitated, trying TO grasp
the full meaning of the trunk, the Irons
door opened cautiously and her motheI'
Clad in a kimona, her hair spirallng IN
stringy strands lately Invested OF tneH
curriers', motioned her to come IN;
Cathleen shook her head slowly, her
ewes on her trunk there on the stoop.
Come in this minute" Margaret Car
roll ordered in what she believed was
stage whisper I've kept your coiiee
hot, and i've stirred up some batter
I'm not coming in Cathleen said.
Her lips were straight, her eyes dark
and brooding.
You're not coming into, your own
horne?" her mother cried, aghaSt. Then
where will YOU be going, I'd like to
know?"
$50 would l." Cathleen smned--a
twisted wrath of a smile.
Her mother came out on the stoop,
forgetting in the press OF the moment
her stringing hair and the probability
Of peeping neighbors.
"You stop being so Stubborn" she
whispered, holding out against your
father when you know how peppery he
is. He was good and scared when he
found out you didn't come in last night.
l made him think you'd gone to stay
with Ellen Nolan. And / gave him
piece of my mind. I've been fair crazy
Danny's gone. all over trying to find
you. Your father put this trunk out
to scare you. I'll have Danny fetch 1t
in as soon IS ne gets back.
mo, mother aCathleen ran up the
steps, put her arm around the older
wonan's shoulders. please leave the
trunk where 1t is. I'll send for 1t later,
Just as soon as 1 find room"
"A room!" Her mother fed into the
dim hall and began to wall dismally.
"A room among strangers-who knows
who-for my own daughter who's break
ing her mothers heart
Cathleen stood at the door, but did
not cross the threshold.
"It's no use taking on, mother" she
said, gently, but firmly. I'll get place
close by. Just for few days till things
settle down. Help me, mother"
Margaret Carroll raised her head. An
expression as near righteous wrath as
her face had ever worn spread across
her features.
It'll serve Dan Carroll right" she
said. "Ramping around like he's the
lord of creation and making everybody
kow-tow to him. He ought to crawl to
you to get you back"
81 don't want him to crawl. I merely
want him to leave me alone" said Cath
leen.
He will thatr 1t was evident that
Margaret Carroll considered herself
part of q conspiracy. She delved into
the folds of her kimona and brought
forth ~ron of crumpled bills. You
take this money, Cathie," she said.
There's SIS / been saving 1t so he
wouldn't know. He thinks ! got to ask
him for every nickel"
Cathleen looked at the bills, then
took them and tucked them into the
pocket of her green tennis dress
Thanks, mother" she said. eff
didn't know you'd earned 1t a thousand
times over, wouldn't touch a cent OF
his money. I'll pay you back as soon
as I can get some work.
Such talk" Tears were rolling
down Mrs. CAROLS plump cheeks
paying back your own mother"
Cathleen reached out and drew he
mothers head down on her sturd
young shoulder.
Don't worry, darling she muir
INJURED. "Ill keep in touch with you
do love you, Mumsy"
She might have added that she pitied
this softly padded woman clinging to
her. but Margaret Carroll would have
misunderstood the reason for the pity.
They stood clinging to each other for a
moment, their eyes wet, their hearts
full.
Then Cathleen turned and ran down
the steps.
Dan Carroll stood there, his face
hard, his lips twitching.
Il thought you'd sneak back" he
snapped. You go in my house and
stay there till tell you to come out"
CTo be continued.)