Evening star., 1934-07-08

And then they forgot poor Babe and his
sad little family, Wild Bill Lind climbed into
his shining new blue demon for another try
out. Gosh" Jerry said to himself, that boy
can drive!" He and Bill had been old-time
rivals. And in spite of his apathy over Babe
Miller, something of the old thrill of the game
shot through him. Wouldn't it be swell-maybe
II he'd get in car
That's bad turn young driver inter-
rupted his thoughts They oughtta fix 1t, but
they say they can't. Not enough money Eight
cass've gone that bank, though. 1t gives
me the jitters And now Babe"
They can hardly pay the drivers y'know."
reminded a pitman.
so have to be killed." whined the young
ster.
''Tiernan and Babe both beat Bills time"
some remarked. But it looks If Bills
gOin' tbeat Tfernan's time and get first posi-
ton for the big race tomorrow"
That's what he's trying to do Jerry agreed,
trembling with excitement. And curiously
enough, he found himself enyying Bill. Bill
would be the big shot tomorrow. He'd been
the big shot-once. He'd like chance to show
Bill Lind and that yelling mob out there what
he could do! New speed records! Faster cars.
Boloney!
Bill grinned through his black mask of CRIME
and road oil as Jerry went up to him. Like to
take 'er round a few times, Jerry?" he asked
All the blood seemed to drain from Jerrys
heart. Sure" He managed wan grin. You
bet!"
But his fingers were chill as he gripped the
wheel of the Buebird, and the roar Of the
motor seemed scarcely louder than the in
Jerry Murphys own heart. He was off! He'd
show EN-! He flung cocky arm aloft as he
passed Bills pit.
He tried to summon a careless nonchalance
of manner as he slowed down at last outside
the pit. He guessed he'd showed 'em, all right.
But there was pity instead of admiration In
the glances bent upon him. Jerry stared. What
in thunder
"She sure can 60 Bill" he stammered
Grins everywhere What did it mean?
Then why in Sam Hill didn't you make 'er
go?" Bill asked gently.
Because asked him particularly not to-"
remarked crisp young voice, and Marion, ap-
pearing out of nowhere, linked her tiny gloved
hand possessively within the circle of poor
Jerrys arm.
CUDDENLY he knew. He hadn't shown them
- at all. He'd only succeeded in making
spectacle of himself.
He stared diSconsolately ahead of him as
Marion drove out OF the dusty grounds. He
was sick to the very depths When at last he
could trust himself to speak again, he said
aloud: Guess I'll drop off at the Merritt hos
pital Nudge. I'd kind of like to see Babe Mil
ler"
Marion's voice was very gentle as she replied:
"Okay, Jerry dear.
Sorry, Mr.. Murphy" the crisply starched
nurse informed Jerry. "No visitors for Mr..
Miller. Doctors orders. He must be kept
strictly quiet"
Jerry lit a cigarette with fingers that trem-
bled He didn't seem to be needed anywhere.
And he knew so well what poor Babe was 60
ing through Facing death up there, all alone.
Sounds Of sniveling over by the window. Jerry
turned A thin. curly-headed boy stood with
his back to him.
Anything I can do, son?" Jerry questioned
gently The boy wheeled and Babe Miller's
own blue eyes, 1t seemed, stared tragically up
at him.
dyin''
Babe Millers your brother?" The boy nod
ded. II don't believe he's dying, Sonny" Jerry
lied "Are you the next oldest to Babe?"
YES sir. There's quite a raft Of u.s." The
boys face worked. He turned his back swiftly.
Jaw herel Babe wouldn't want you to cry"
Jerry passed an arm around the frail shoul-
ders and little by little Bill he said his name
was, sobbed out his story. Three Of them had
newspaper routes; and they'd all scrimped and
pinched for five years to help buy the shining
new Silver Terror that all wrecked now,
even their tired mother, who cleaned office
buildings and did washings. Not that the car
mattered. But gee, Mister! They didn't quite
how they could get along at albright
showing in the blue eyes-if, anything hap
pened to Babe.
"Bin, you wait here" Jerry said at last
gently 'Im going up and find out all about
Babe"
He dashed up to the second floor. who's in
charge of MIR. Miller?" he inquired Of the
naughty nurse at the desk. She consulted
chart
'I1e house physician DR.. Gatlin-"
Il thought So" Jerry interrupted crisply.