The Washington times., 1937-09-16
Cast of Characters in
Modern Miracle"
CONCHITA, who commits
her first sin that she may
realize an ambition.
A DETECTIVE.

burst into tears before the dancing
gentleman'S very eyes.
Two hundred dollars -.
Conchita could never remember
how she had gotten into the de-
partment store.
But suddenly she had found her
self before the jewelry counter,
staring with much fascination at
great glittering rings and brace
let's. Jewels which could be sold
for money, dear kind money with
which to pay for lessons.
Money which would be instantly
repaid to the store with multiple
interest, the very moment she be-
came a successful dancer.
STOLEN BRACELET
Conchita realized, as she fled
to her rooming house with the
stolen no borrowed - bracelet,
that she could no longer look into
the face of the Little Mother, shin
ing so clear and lovely on the
wall of her little room.
Still atremble, she flew up the
steps of her rooming house. Be-
hind her, unnoticed, the big de-
tective followed -.
Il tell you the child couldn't be
a thief" the landlady protested
from her basement quarters The
poor lamb is that shy she hardly
has courage to speak, let alone
take anything.
And religious! Spends half
her time praying. All alone she
is too. Well if you insist, officers,
I'll give you a pass key. It's al
ways respect have for the law"
The detective took the key and
tiptoed to the room the landlady
had indicated. It was dark in
the hall. Night had nearly come,
but the hall lights had not yet
been turned on.
A murmuring sounded in the
room. He tried to listen, but
waltz music from a rear rehearsal
hall blurred the words, Cautiously,
be inserted the key and nched
open the door.
The girl was on her knees before
the opposite wall. Forgive me,
Little Mother" she was crying to
a large. dusk Swallowed picture.
Forgive me for what I have
done. 1 should not have it so.
Tomorrow I shall put it back. But
first tell me, by some sign, that
you forgive!"
"Just a gag" muttered the de-
tective, probably saw me follow
ing and thinks to pull a fast one.
Well, it won't work. Too much OF
this sympathy stuff nowadays"
STARTLED DETECTIVE
He took a determined step for
ward, then stopped, foot in midalr.
mouth agape. For SoundleSSly, sud
denly, a Light had SuffuSed the
picture, touching it with a ruby
glow, lining the calm brow, the
gentle eyes of the Holy Mother
with carmine incandeScence.
The big man crossed himself.
ooh, thank you, La Madrecita,
thank you for the sign" the girl
cried softly into the ruby7Stabbed
twilight.
Then, suddenly, as it had come,
the Light went, and the man and
girl faced each other in the Shad-
owy room. The officers words,
when he found speech, surprised
even himself.
Nov don't scream or get fright,
ened, miss" he said in gentler
tones than he had used in decade.
i've just come to have little
talk with you-about a bracelet.
I heard you, as came in, saying
something about wanting to re-
turn it. I-came to help you about
that"
"Who are you. senor?" she
gasped.
why" the man almost STAN
mered, I'm the store detective.
Now don't go trembling like a
frightened little squirrel.
Il won't arrest you, not now I
won't - something made me
change my mind-well, anyway"
he floundered gruffly, "if you're so
hard up you have to go stealing
bracelets, which afterward you
want to put back, maybe you had
better come and work for us at
the store.
I'm big place like ours there
ought to be something for a pretty
little one like yourself, if I put in
word with the general manager.
MUCH EXPLAINING
Get your things on now, sis
ter" he continued, as Conchita
listened in timid appines S.
We've got to get back and do a
pile of explaining.
There's been a lot of larceny
in the store lately, and they're not
showing much leniency, no matter
how good the girls stories, but
after what saw here tonight
again he crossed himself you're
as good as writing a letter to that
; family of yours right now, telling
them that from now on, they
| eat!"
The man and girl had scarcely
started back when the music from
the rear theater stopped and ex-
l cited voices took its place.
2 Hey up there" cried the first
I voice, what's wrong? Why can't
' you keep that carmine spot center
l Stage!"
Don't know" called back the
4 second voice, that spot just went
haywire for a minute, kept shoot.
I ing off to the left for M ,A.a.-