Evening star., 1933-09-05
PUPPY LOVE
HAlmn SIOUX Scarbery

| CduSe ! c<ALGU QAyB.
Mary gave a stified sob.
"Oh-Tommy-"
"Freckle called doctor and fed me
and after he left she phoned Charlie
and got the job"
Mary remembered all the expensive
meals she had been enjoying with Curt
Little-while Tommy had been starv-
ing. Tommy saw the tears in her
eyes. He drew her to him tenderly.
now"
"Freckle-" Mary said sadly. why
I just can't believe she'd lie to me
like that I thought she was the best
friend I ever had. y5oi7
"She is a good friend. This after
noon she broke down and told me the
whole thing-and begged me to keep
you from marrying Curt. I know she
thought she was doing the right
thing"
And he gave her $1,000"
Il saw her tear the check up"
Tommy defended Freckle loyalty. You
mustn't blame her I called Curt Lit
tie up several weeks ago and threat
ened him. OF course did make q sap
out of myself But I was so crazy in love
with you and SO worried I didn't real.
ize what I was doing. Freckle didn't
mean to harm you"
Mary said wonderingly:
"But-why would Curt give Freckle
all that money to keep you from me?
lift he really loved me he wouldn't
try to bribe anybody"
II wish I knew why" Tommy looked
grim. Il guess he thought that was
the only way he could get you. He
must have thought you-cared for me-"
When Mary said nothing, Tommy looked
at her pleadingly.
"Oh-honey, don't hate me. YOU
haven't forgotten all the promises we
made to each other, have you, Mary?
You didn't love that old cradle
snatcher?"
Before Mary realized what had hap
pened she was in Tommy's arms. He
was holding her as though he would
never let her go, and they were both
crying tears Of relief. Tommy's kisses
were like healing salve to her sore,
troubled heart. She hadn't realized
how she missed hin1-wanted him.
After a while she pushed him from
her-and smiled radiantly.
please, Mr.. Smith! My nerves"
1t was so like the old Mary that
Tommy kissed her again. His face was
shining with happiness when he started
the old wheezy car.
We'll" he shrugged lightly-"lets 20
l
afraid Of anything or anybody in the
world now. Not as long as I have my
sweetheart"
They stopped for traffc light near
a news stand. Just then they heard
a newsboy crying out headlines from
the evening papers Mary gripped
Tommy's arm
'Listen-Tommy-l
| Tommy turned white There was no
mistake what the voice was yelling
Millionaire dying in airplane flght.
Curt Little believed murdered"
Tommy reached out dazedly for a
paper. The boy handed it to him and
pocketed the pennies absently, not both
ering to look at his customer. Mary
read with Tommy the caption under
the picture Of Curt Little:
Police Hunt Fiancee and Her For
mer Suitor In Possible Murder Of Movie
Mogul, Believed Dying in Hospital"
'We-we've got to go to your apart
ment and decide what to do" Tommy
Whispered desperately. "Oh-Mary. /
I didn't kill him-I couldn't do that"
Mary chung to Tommy desperately.
They hurried as fast as the traffic would
allow them. When at last they ran
up the steps Of the apartment the sun
was just going down. There were no
lights, SO Freckle was not home Maybe
shed gone to the hospital. Fortunate
ly Mary had key In her coat.
Freckle." she called anxiously, a.
she opened the door.
Just then an unknown hand turned
the switch and flooded the room with
light.
Wen. here you are-both Of you
voice said smoothly. Il thought you'd
come back here"
1t was Detective Fiaherty!
I'm sorry, kids, but you'll have to
ccme along to headquarters. Don't
think like takin' you I got a son and
daughter Of my own about your ages"
Mary was sobbing pitifully in Tommy's
arms. Tommy pleaded desperately.
I don't care what you do with me
thing to do with it."
Faherty was firm. Mary clung to
Tommy.
Il want to 60 If you go. Tommy. It's
as much my fault as yours
Don't say that" cfied Tommy irrita-
bly,. They won't understand If you
keep saying you're to blame. You didn't
have anything to do with it, honey.
lost my head, that's all. And you would
TOO, ofncer, II you saw your girl being
taken away by q rich old dufier who
couldn't make her happy"
Sure I would" Flaherty nodded SYM
pathetically. But that doesn't say I'd
murder the guy to keep him from it."
DON'T! Mary begged Historically
oh, don't say Mr.. Little is going to
die Tommy couldn't murder anybody"
The doctors say there isn't much
chance Of his pullin' through" F1aherty
said gravely. 1T might have looked just
like a fight to you. but when . man
falls and strikes his head and gets Q
fracture and dies-that's the same ~
murder In the courts"
Tommy shrugged hopelessly-then
said gently to Mary:
Come, sweetheart. ofhcer Flaherty
has been fair to us-lettin' US explain
ana everything-we mustn't keep him
waiting any longer. It'll turn out all
right-Im not afraid"
Mary knew she had to brace I'D for
Tommy's sake. She wasn't worried for
herself. She was quite certain they
wouldn't blame her. But Tommy needed
her and she mustn't fail him. She drew
herself up and smiled crookedly, wiping
her eyes.
There's nothing to be afraid Of
when you know you didn't mean to do
wrong Tommy. Im-Im not worried"
Flaherty smiled kindly. gentle smile
that was meant to be reaSsuring
That's the spirit. sister I'll do any,
thing can for you two little love birds.
You can count on that" l's7t
Mary was so grateful she wanted to
kiss him. Tommy held out his hand
Let's shake hands-and be friends.
feel better now"
Flaherty gripped his hand warmly
Tommy held Mary to him and kissed
the top of her little head before they
left the apartment. Flaherty was busy
looking out the window. In a moment