The Wilmington morning star., 1940-02-11
COPYRIGHT. ie4o.
E SERVICE. INC

course between the rolling banks
of the Hudson Valley. Save for an
occasional small tramp steamer or
flock of barges nosing northWard
behind their tug, the river was
clear. The traffic would come fur
Their down. But it was past noon
and he'd reached the Hendrick
Hudson highway before he saw any
tugs headed south and then, not
one towed a barge. Had the Molly
sunk, was it forced ashore further
up or had it made the canal ter
minal, he asked himself.
1t was after 4 when he parked
his car by the hot dog stand at
Pier Six.
"Back again, I see," commented
the hot dog man, as Dan climbed
out of his roadster. He eyed Dams
dinner coat and waved a hand in
the general direction of the canal
boats. "She got in early this morn
Ing"
Dan grinned, too relieved to sec
the Molly's green shutters to
speak. Everybody safer" he fin
ally inquired.
"Why not?" demanded the hot
dog man.
But Dan didn't answer. He was
already running to the La Porte
barge. A crowd of children gather
ed on the dock near the Molly, at
tracted by the noise he made as he
hammered on the closed hatchway.
Fascinated by his dinner clothes,
they stared silently.
Nobody home" a small hoy VEN
tured finally.
Where are they?' yelled Dan.
"Marie's gone to work. Her pa
and ma left just after"
Dan reached in his pocket. Frank
relief spread over his face as he
scrambled back. "You kids buy
yourselves some lollypops," he
cried. eff you see Marie La Porte
before I do, tell her I've been look
ing for her.
He walked back to the hot dog
stand. "Why did the Molly re-
turn?' he asked the man.
Leak" He Tipped a hot dog on
the griddle. Bats mad as a wet
hen. He's gone to get a repair
crew.
Mrs. La Porte go along?"
INC. She's yer on Broad Street,
marketing. Had her shopping bag
on her arm"
Dan smiled. "And Marie's gone
to work?'
The hot dog man became eau
tious. II didn't ask"
AS Dan was climbing into his
roadster, a a whirled up and two
men, one carrying a amera jump
ed out.
There's young Donovan himself,
wearing a tux at 4 in the after
noon," the photographer shouted,
focusing his camera. Both ran to-
ward Dan.
"This is luck, Mr.. Donovan" the
other began. I'm Larkin of the
Looking Glass. Is it true that you
and Marie La Porte are 80"
The camera clicked.
What do you Think" Dan STEP
ped on the gas.
The doorman at Varnet's looked
twice but asked no questions as
Dan, hatless and in dinner Jacket,
stalked through the main entrance
at mid-afternoon.
II want to see Miss La Porte"
Dan told a bewildered floorwalker
in the made-to-order department.
Tell her Mr.. Daniel Donovan is
here"
Mr. Bluet, who lived in terror
of Varnet, fluttered back to his
boss office. "Mr. Donovan is here
to see Miss La Porte" he SIAM
mered.
well, tell her, you fool" War;
net bobbed up. "You. mean Mr.
Daniel Donovan, I suppose. Don't
keep him waiting"
Bluet scuttled down the corr;dor
t. the models dressing room.
"Miss La Porte" he hohh,oa
"Mr. Daniel Donovan wants to Soc
you in the main salon.,
Marie half sank on a chair ..ro,,
him l can't see him." she answer
ed. Bluet hurried back to the salon
Dan, with a solicitous varnet al
his side, was waiting eagerly, he
started forward.
"Well, well, where is she?" de-
manded Varnet.
"she says she can't see him ,,
the floor-walker began
varnet rearranged his face and
turned to Dan. Excuse me a ~
rent, Mr.. Donovan"
In the models dressing room he
owed Marie, his face white -