Evening star., 1936-08-09

of green tops it had touched millions of spring flowers
was fresh and sweet him. Lifting his head he drew in
deep the breath of home.
But he wouldn't go looking for his people yet He wanted
to but he mustn't They must do without him one more
night They might not be here anyway He didn't know
But they probably were had been here through three
generations Yes they could do without him night
They'd had do without him five years. This first night
he become accmatized again. cool Oft his excitement
Otherwise he might too much He'd thought of every
thing in his plan.
And tomorrow he pick up the threads again. begin telling
the plausible lie he'd made explain his absence and his
silence Many other men, he'd found had left their homes
the panic years of the early hires and of them oo
in desperation like this had lost their bearings and been
pushed outside the law and been caught and walled up
Guion hurried down to the business part of Crebillon
the big blocks of hafempy brick buildings left from the
golden days of its steamboat era.
Would little old Georges still be the night watchman He'd
be easy dodge You could hear him coming block away
tapping the sidewalk with his stick and saying Hal with
each tap Guon didn't want to meet old Georges tonight
He talked too much
Guion walked up street and down another, not skip
ping the alleys between the brick blocks Half
way down the alley between the Blanchard and Pettpas
blocks he stopped suddenly few feet ahead lot of wooden
boxes piled up against the back wall of Banchads dry
goods Guion heard voices whispering behind the boxes
Only some negro doings probably apshooters card
playing roustabouts around gutterng candle That's the
way used be- But Guon around and started back
few stray negroes tonight.
Then he heard small boys voice; frightened high break
ing the edge of tears white boys voice " just don't
want do it, that's ALL Guion stopped and listened There
blow soft flesh, and boy whmperng and whispered
threats mems voices But this of his business
Guon started away again Keep out of everything
The boys voice again. "A right will if you won't kick
any more.
Threats and blows and had been everyday things
Guons walled world for almost five years. but not beaten
Lool xLoL
Through crack he could small dim figure squeezing
itself between of the steel bars protecting high half
sized window sunk deep in the old fashioned wall.
Guon knew what that meant His heart eaped in his side
and his breath coming FAST if he already fighting
He kicked the gathering baricade then forward
Three dark figures were fading down the alley.
He let them fade There the of motor at the
other end of the alley the clash of hurried gears Then every
thing quiet except for the abored sobbg of the pacy
boy ammed up there between the wrenched steel bars
Take it easy, Kid Guon said "Everyhings all right"
He stepped the box under the window pulled the boy
Free closed the opened window and lifted him down. the
sudden relief from his worst fears. the boy had given way
childish impulse, casped his around Guions neck and
laid his head his shoulder Lord that felt good Guon!
But then the boy got hold of himself and broke loose and
dashed up the alley.
"Stop! Come backr'
There dsobeyng that voice. The boy came back
What you going to do with me, Mister?"
I'm your friend Kid Don't you understand that by now?
We're going to walk around town little Then I'll let you
go home You're too excited to go You'd be sure to
make noise getting in people would wake up and then
you'd be in fix wouldn't you? You're so excited now you'd
tell everything know Give your hand You do live here
don't your?
'Yes SIR
They walked down the alley, got Dupuy Street. then
up and down and town. They walked slowly the tall
asking easy questions in quiet voice, not crowdnp
the boy calming him down. and hearing all about the three
thieves.
They had town two days before in car The bow
substituting for the regular telegraph messenger and had
delivered telegram of the in room at the Hotel