Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

30 TEE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE and then I'm off for the rest of the night. And Maggie '11 be glad to see ye, too, for she 's got a tender spot for the ould country yet. ' ' At the station-house, Officer Donlin accounted for his charge. Several reporters who were chatting with the desk-sergeant grew facetious when Donlin explained his intention of taking the girl to his home. But when the name of Henry Rhodes struck upon their ears, the stretching of those organs was almost a demonstrable actuality. They crowded about Kathleen, and, with a few pointed questions, drew forth the simple story of her quest. Then they hastily departed for their offices. The next morning the father and sisters of Henry Rhodes were amazed to see him start precipitately from the breakfast table after glancing at the morning paper. To their questions he answered that there was nothing whatever the matter. But he was careful to take the paper with him as he hurried from the room. Outside the house, he had the good fortune to stop a vacant taxicab. Giving Officer Donlin 's address, he urged -the driver to hit up the speed to the limit. His hasty ring at Donlin 's bell brought the policeman's little girl to the door, and the excited young man was immediately admitted to the presence of that particular tentacle of the law. "I say, officer," burst out the visitor, "what is the meaning of this story in the paper ? Who put it in ? " "Ah, so ye 're hot in the collar about it, are ye? That's the way with yez grand folks. Ye do something ye ought to be sent up for an' then ye 're quite indignant if it's mentioned in the papers." "Now, see here, officer, this is all a mistake. I've done nothing to encourage that girl to follow me over here. I looked on her as a child. I made no promises to her — she has no claim whatever on me." "An' ye didn't make love to her an' lead her to think ye'd marry her?" "On my word of honor, no! It's very unfortunate if the girl is deluded, but, as I said before, I looked on her as a pretty, lovable child. I kist her, but I didn't dream that she would take it seriously. Why, I dont believe I saw the girl for more than half -an-hour altogether. ' ' The officer began to assume a more lenient bearing toward the young man. "Well," he commented, "it's a fine mess ye've made with yer innocent kisses. The girl's mad about ye an' thinks ye are about her. I wouldn't like the job of undeceivin' her." Their voices had penetrated the corridor leading to the other rooms of the flat. Kathleen had caught the familiar tones that had so impressed her on the rocks at Ballydavid. She rushed into the room, and, with a glad cry, flung her arms about Henry's neck. Gently, compassionately, he removed them, the while talking to her soothingly, explaining that she had misunderstood him. With wild and tragic eyes she stared at him, trying to comprehend. "Then ye meant nought whin ye kist me?" she moaned. "An' it's to hear this Oi've left the only hearts that love me thrue ! ' ' The grief of the poor little maid was harrowing, and the officer and his kind-hearted wife joined Henry in trying to comfort her. But hers was a sorrow of disillusionment, of humiliation and remorse, and sympathetic words were an ineffective balm. Henry felt keenly his responsibility for this bitter grief, and, as the curly head lay disconsolate upon the table and the little figure shook with sobs, he talked earnestly with Donlin. "It's the only thing to do, officer," he insisted. "The girl will be all right after she has been back home a while. So, here's the money for her expenses. Arrange everything, and if you need any more, just call on me." With one lingering, pitiful look at the sobbing Kathleen, he passed from her life forever. So there came the evening of a day when Kathleen again stood at the