Evening star., 1934-09-24
l:aiD?AHSSP iDFAHes; E; Z S;S;;!PI3;,,1'3} j., y
a. RG N BY CORTLAND FITZSlr1N1ONS\MS/S

| you III laugn at all tElS III tnt IHOIu-
ing
He knelt beside her and rested his
head on her lap. She ran her fingers
through his hair and wanted deSper-
| ately to hold him close in her arms
and reassure him, but she must not
do that or he would guess how truly
! frightened she was. Terry fell asleep
and she did not waken him as the
| troubled thoughts raced through her
| head.
! Uptown Frances Clark was having
bad time with her father. Pop had
come home completely broken up
after the second tragedy.
What am I going to do, Frances?
You know what the papers are say
ing about me, and If they say it often
enough people will begin to believe it,
want to win naturally. but not this
way. If they want to kill me, why
can't they leave children and boys
out of it?"
What do you suppose they have
done with Pietro?" Frances asked.
She had read Terry's story.
Il wish 1 knew. God knows where
he is tonight"
Pop was a broken old man when he
stopped his pacing and sat down. He
pulled of his shoes and stuck his feet
into the waiting slippers.
kelly questioned Doyle again" he
said after a long pause. These cases
are getting under his skin. If he
fails this time he thinks he is through
on the force"
But what could Larry have to do
with it?"
When I took Larry out of the game
he was pretty sore and wandered
around for bit 1t was his misfor-
tune to go over to their bat rack"
But any one would do thatT'
I'll have to get rid of Doyle Pop
blurted out finally
Its the first time I have ever
known you to be unfair" she accused
Il don't like to do it, but there are
many things 20 be considered. l
can't do anything with the boy" he
added lamely
You thought he was your best
find outside of Horan when you
bought him." she said He was all
right until you thought We were
interested in each other. Why don't
you be honest?"
Frances had never spoken to him
like that before and he was both
hurt and startled. She saw the
hurt look in his eyes. but paid no
attention to it as she raced on.
Il love Larry Doyle and I'm going
to marry him some day when he asks
Of
to break his word to you Except
to speak in passing, l have not seen
him since the day he asked per-
mission to come over. Why are
you so pigheaded about ball players?
Where do you expect me to find a
husband-in the street? Ball players
are the only men have ever known
since 1 was a little child. I've been
brought up with them and 1 under
stand them. I feel strange with other
men"
Frances, please There was so
much pain in his voice that she
stopped, amazed at her own anger.
I'm sorry she said and went
to the window and looked down at
the busy street.
Il don't want to be mean, Frances.
or unreasonable. I've nothing against
Doyle except the fact that he is
ball player. I don't expect you to
believe me when I tell you that 1
like him. I do. He's young and,
like all youth. he thinks young heads
are better than old ones. What has he
done since he has been with the
team? He got in row with Whitper
over you. He sulked after that game
when Whitper was killed. He broke
training. He went downtown to the
worst dive in the city and beat I'D
newspaper man. I put him in to
bunt and he knocks out a home run,
He has made many errors, and when
l take him out of the game, he gets
sore. He'll have to go back to the
minor leagues and learn the pro-
fessional game"
you'll kill his career at the start"
she accused
Not if he is made of the right
stuff. He is the victim of circum-
stances right now. and I'm sorry but
I can't let it go on"
You won't help him any by drop
ping him"
I'm afraid to keep him. You've
read the papers. Kelly is not satisfied
that Doyle is innocent What is to
prevent some of these smart reporters
from further linking Doyle with us?
Suppose it is suggested that DOYLE,
because he is in love with you, has
hired some one to kill these men
so that the Blues can win the pen
nant with you as the prize for Doyle's
work."
But that is ridiculous! You'd better
go to bed"
Pop stood up and looked at her
He was pathetic figure, a beaten,
Worsted old man, but she was hard
and unyielding.
He started away, but she stopped
him.
When are you going to let Larry
go?"
LAS soon as it can be arranged.
Good d-night."
(To Be Continued)