Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1942-05-08

ne gets a chance, said the Mayor
grimly.
Chris walked home on air that af-
ternoon. He was conscious of vast
relief. and of something more, OF
recognition. He went home with a
new confidence, only to find Lily IN
tears. He bent over and put a hand
on her shoulder. 1t was shockingIy
thin, and shaking now with suppress
sed sobs.
at doesn't do any good, you know,
my dear. Boys are like that. You'll
hear something before long"
Its not Dick" she said astonish-
ly. cts Katie"
She became hysterical after that,
but at last he had the whole story.
Katie lately had taken to going out
at night, and the night before she had
gone out to dance and had not come
back.
"Why didn't you tell me-"
II didn't know what you'd think"
"Better give me a list of the peo-
pie she knows, and I'll look them up.
Where was this dance last night -
The next four hours were a night
mare. At first he was more irrltated
than apprehensive; but as the evening
wore on he became increasingly anX-
ious. He found the girl with whom
she had gone to the dance hall, but
during the evening the two had be-
come separated, and Katie had disap-
peared.
"Was she drinking?"
She's no drinker, but she'd had one
or two, Doctor
There was nothing to be learned
at the hall either. The proprietor
shrugged his shoulders.
We have maybe hundred girls
here in an evening" he said. And
we run decent place. You can ask
the police"
He left the hall, however, with one
clew, and ominous enough it sound
ed. A waiter remembered that girl
answering Katie's description had
felt sick and dizzy, and that mid
dle-aged woman had taken her out to
the dressing room. Neither woman
nor girl, so far as he knew had come
back.
Chris went out onto the street a
gain and stood there uncertainty And
then he remembered Bessie Smith.
She was no angel Of light, was Bessie;
but she knew her half world well,
and she might be able to help.
Nevertheless he felt rather absurd
when at last he confronted her and
she eyed him Quizzically.
well. Doctor, are you visiting US
professionally Or have you brought
the cuff links"
I've brought the links, Bessie"
What's the trouble?"
ITS not mine. Somebody else. a
girl"
He told her then, and she listened
carefully.
81 need help, Bessie. And l rath
err think it's your sort of help"
She looked at him. Her eyes, tall
as he was, were almost level with his.
81 might telephone around" she
said after a moments hesitation.
''After all, you made a good job of
me when l looked like a hamburger
steak; and treated me like a human
being at that. If you're interested in
this girl"
"She's my landlady's daughter
that's ALL"
She left him abruptly and went up
the stairs, the treads creaking under
her weight. 1t was a half hour be-
fore she reappeared, her face as in
scrutable as ever.
Found her." she said laconically.
"But don't get any wrong ideas in
your head, Doctor. She's all right.
Friend of mine saw she'd had too
much to drink and took her home to
sleep it off,
He got up. He was slightly dizzy
with fatigue and hunger, but also
with relief. Thanks, Bessie. I'll
go and get her ,
you'll do nothing of the kind"
said Bessie brusquely. You'll go