*Note from Author* Be patient with me guys! :-) I'm trying to fix the format so you can read it better. How is it now? Review and tell me so I know what to do if it needs to be tweaked more. Thanx! T.H.

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"Ya did what?" Racetrack yelled. "I didn't know it was so important, udderwise I woulda acted differently! You know dat Race!" Blink protested. Racetrack and Jack had just returned and Racetrack having heard about the incident with Bright Eyes, was furious and confused at the same time. "Dere was somethin' botherin' her Jack! She neva woulda slapped me uddawise!" Blink pleaded with Jack, who stood off to the side pondering every word said. "Maybe she's sick or somethin'." Crutchy suggested. "If dats so, we betta go find her!"

"I agree wit Crutchy. Even if she ain't sick, we cain't leave her alone. An if'n we find her an she does want ta be alone, we'll leave it up ta her ta come back, 'kay? Race?" Racetrack grunted as he and some of the other boys walked out the door. Blink lingered in the doorway, looking very depressed. Jack paused in the doorway to put his arm around the boy's shoulder. "I really didn't mean ta hoit her Jack. But it just happened!" Jack smiled. " I know. It ain't yer fault. Lots o'dese boys don't blame you really. Dey jes cares 'bout Bright a lot. Now c'mon les find her huh?" Blink smiled wanly at Jack as the two walked out the door.

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"Jack, I found her! I found her!" Skittery's voice from inside the alley, sent all the boys running. Bright Eyes was laying in the alley, her face was pale white and stripped of the red that usually filled it. Sweatdrops clung to her face shimmering like crystals in the moonlight. Racetrack immediately dropped on his knees and felt her head. "She's not dat hot Jack, but still, just a little." Jack fell down beside Racetrack, felt her head and nodded. Then he began to shake the girl gently as every Newsie looked on, waiting for some sign. Bright Eyes' eyes remained screwed shut and her body limp. Everyone's hearts fell. "I tink she's okay boys. Just passed out. She's exhausted." Jack then lifted the girl with ease and carried her back to the Lodging House, with all the boys following silently as if they were at a funeral.

When they got to the Lodging House, Jack gently laid Bright Eyes down on her bed and covered her with the sheets on it. "Hey somebody get me some wata an' some towels 'kay. Da rest of ya's, go ta bed, it ain't gonna help her none if you stay up all night!" Most of the boys shuffled out of the room, except for Jack, Kid Blink and Racetrack. Kid Blink had already fulfilled Jack's order, and gave him the towels. Jack in turn sponged off Bright Eyes' sweaty face with the saturated cloth. When he was done, he sat back in a chair. "Well boys, you gonna stay?" Both boys nodded silently. After a while, Racetrack spoke quietly to Kid Blink. "Sorry fer causin' such a scene befoa." Blink smiled and patted Racetrack on the back. Then the three boys waited out the night with the girl.

Racetrack woke up the next morning sore and stiff, having fallen asleep in a wooden rocking chair for the night. He sat up and stretched his aching joints. Jack and Kid Blink had fallen next to each other in small couch in a corner of the room, snoring softly. Remembering the reason why he was there, Racetrack looked toward the bed. The covers were thrown back and the bed empty. Race jumped up and walked quickly out the already open door. Racetrack gave a sigh of relief as he saw Bright Eyes pouring water so she could wash her face. He gave her a pat on the back as he arrived. "Heya Bright! How ya feelin'?" Bright Eyes turned to Racetrack and gave him a small smile. "I was fine last night Race. Jest tired, dats all."

Racetrack nodded his head slightly. "So is dat why ya hit Blink? Just outta curiosity. You was jest tired? Cause I undastand if'n it was just dat." Bright Eyes stiffened as she remembered the incident that had occured last night. Then she shook it off. "Yeah dats all. I gotta 'poligize to 'im lata. Betta get goin'. Don't wanna waste anymore time dan I hafta!" Then she turned stiffly and walked away, with a tad of her usual flair gone. Racetrack stared after her and shoved his hat back on his head, exposing his black hair. "You see what I mean Race?" Blink surprised Racetrack as he came up behind him. Racetrack nodded. "Dere's somethin' she ain't tellin'. She'll probably tell us sooner or lata I guess. Betta get crackin' or Kloppman will 'ave a fit!" He then proceeded to remove his cap, and dunk his head energetically into the water filled sink, making Blink and the rest of the Newsies laugh at the spry, humorous Italian.

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Bright Eyes sat on the Lodging House steps with the rest of the Newsies, her former worries forgotten. Everything seemed to be as it used to be. Blink and Bright Eyes had each exchanged apologies and forgiveness' and each was extremely happy about it. When going on her route, Bright Eyes had observed her sellers. None of them seemed to have a prejudice against her at all. Da Delancy's jest wanted ta give me a scare dats all. Tryin' ta run me out! Well dat won't eva happen! Dis is where I belong, nowhere else! The whole lot of them were smoking up a storm, telling jokes and showing the younger children how they could blow complicated smoke rings.

"Excuse me." All of a sudden silence reigned on the doorstep, save for the taking off of caps on the boys part. Bright Eyes' hat remained on her head. She wasn't about to take off her hat for a girl, least of all this girl. The girl standing in front of them looked wealthy and rather well off. She wore a lacy yellow dress, with a matching hat and parasol, which she held sophisticatedly over her shoulder. Her chestnut brown hair hung in dainty ringlets over her shoulders, and her light blue eyes sparkled. Her cupid's bow lips arched beautifully as she spoke again, not to the boys, but to Bright Eyes.

"Isn't smoking bad for your health, especially for a woman's?" Bright Eyes stared the girl square in the eye as she spoke coolly, "Well, I dunno. I don't see any lady hea! Do any of you boys see a lady hea?" All the boys answered the negative in unison, laughing with Bright as they did so. The girl was disgusted. "How can you even show your face in public? Its disgusting! You dress like a boy, you act like a boy, and if someone got close enough, you would smell like a boy!" Bright Eyes eyes twinkled mischievously. "And you would be da expoit on how a boy smells wouldn't ya!" All the boys laughed hysterically. Tears began to spurt out of Snipeshooter's eyes as he rolled on the ground engaged in a laughing fit.

"You know what I mean! Smelly, sweaty, and smoky!" Bright rolled her eyes. "Puhlese! Everyone smells like dat soona or lata! Specially if you actually woik!" The girl's eyes widened. "You know, it is disgraceful. Everyone says so. That you should be sent to a place where girls are accepted and boys do not work. Like a sewing shop. You ought to hear my father talk about you in the evenings and how terrible it is that you flounce yourself around acting like, a, well. A you know what." Then she silently mouthed the dreaded word.

All the laughter stopped instantly. Bright Eyes' cigarette lay in between her fingers burning itself down gradually. Bright Eyes stood up suddenly and stepped up to the girl and got into her face as she spoke. "Look, I live life da way its been thrown at me! Dis is jest what happened ta me! I was bawn an' raised a Newsie, and dats how I intends ta keep it. Reputation or not! Ya followin' me! Nobody, not even a stuck up pig like you can tell me how to live MY life!" The girl flicked off imaginary dust where Bright Eyes had touched her arm. "All right, just don't feel sorry for yourself, when no one buys your papers, or you end up in the Refuge." Then the girl put up her parasol and walked away daintily, leaving Bright Eyes and all the boys staring after her in silence.

Stillness engulfed the front steps. Now uncomfortable, everyone began to show it. Bright Eyes hadn't moved since the girl left. Racetrack pushed his hat back on his head. Snipeshooter sat still on the ground staring at his hat. Crutchy flicked a rock with his crutch. Jack looked at his shoes, and Blink stared at his cigarette as if it were the most interesting thing in the world. Finally Racetrack got the guts to speak up. " Don't listen ta anyting she says Bright. Its probably jest a gag." Bright Eyes turned to him. She looked into his eyes, stood up slowly and then began to walk off. "Dats probably it. I's gonna go fer a walk. Don't follow me. I'll be back in good time." The boys stared at Bright Eyes' retreating figure for a while, Racetrack longest of all.

There was something going on that he didn't like. There was something wrong with Bright and he couldn't help her. He hated that. He hated not being able to help someone he cared about, it made him feel too helpless. This was so unusual. Bright had heaid somthin' on da street dat made 'er really upset. Den she just all a sudden went downright pale when dat goil made dose remawks 'bout 'er. I wonda, if dey are connected in some way? Naw, but maybe. Racetrack shook the idea off his mind for the moment, but it still remained in the corner of his brain, ready for use if needed.

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As soon as Bright Eyes was out of the Newsies' line of sight, she began to run. Where could she go? Who could she ask? Who would know what to do in something like this? She stopped, then turned a corner and headed toward Irving Hall to talk to Medda.. She arrived in through the back door just after Medda finished performing. In fact she ran into Medda as she came backstage. "Vhat are you doing, running too and fro, Bright Eyes?" Medda laughed. "Oh nothin'. Medda, I just needs ta ask ya somethin'." Medda listened intently.

"Well," Bright Eyes hesitated. "If I tell ya dis Medda, ya gots ta swear neva ta tell anyone dat I talked ta ya 'bout dis! Least of all da Newsies! Specially Race an Spot!" she added in almost a whisper. Medda nodded, her face now etched with concern. "Well, have ya eva heaid some tings going round 'mong da people. Like people tawkin' 'bout me?" "Well, like vhat?" Medda asked. Bright Eyes eyes' flicked nervously around the room, before she spoke. "Well, like stuff dat I ain't good fer nothin' an dat peoples are gonna put me in da refuge, and well, stuff related ta dat nature?" Medda's red eyebrows raised. "Vell I haven't heard any such thing, where did you?" Bright Eyes blushed. "Dunno, around. Tanks Medda." Bright Eyes then suddenly ran out the door and into the twilight, leaving Medda in the back stairwell thoroughly confused.

Bright Eyes walked down the street, her stomach growling. She had walked by Tibby's a few minutes ago, but at the sight of the Newsies eating and laughing, she figured she could wait a few more hours. This was the first time that she couldn't confide her feelings to the Newsies. They were like her adopted brothers, but she couldn't bring herself to tell them that she might have to leave them for good. "Are you the Newsie that calls herself Bright Eyes?" The man's voice behind her, startled Bright Eyes so much that she practically jumped out of her skin.

She was even more surprised when she saw that she was trapped by four policemen, each armed. "Whats it to ya?" Bright asked, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "Your employer, Mr. Joseph Pulitzer wishes to have you in his presence." Bright Eyes shrugged. "Well what if I choose not ta?" "Then you will be turned over to the police for questioning, then to the Refuge." The policeman replied, unmoved. Bright Eyes was in a tough spot. Should she run, or stay and submit to Pulitzer. But what did Pulitzer want? "O.k. I'll stay put, but ya gotta catch me foist!" But before Bright Eyes got the chance to run, a bull pounded her on the back with his nightstick, so that she fell to the ground dazed. The policemen jerked her up and took her to the waiting carriage.

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By the time Bright Eyes regained consciousness, the carriage was just pulling up the driveway of the Pulitzer mansion. 'What da heck would Pulitzer be wantin' wit' me? I haven't done anythin' real bad lately! Course I did snitch dat apple about tree weeks ago, but dats nothin' he coulda found out about. Or did he?' Thoughts of this nature ran through Bright Eyes' drowsy mind as she was escorted up the monumental steps by the policemen. 'Was dis how Jack felt? Unsua of whats gonna 'appen to ya? Afraid fer yerself? I wish I hadn't told da boys not ta look fer me! A little help would be appreciated right about now!' She thought as the policemen stopped outside the front door and were greeted by Seitz. "I'll take care of it from here gentlemen, thank you." Seitz said, taking hold of Bright Eyes' arm, his hold surprisingly gentle. The men walked back down the steps and sat to wait by the carriage.

Seitz laughed, surprising Bright Eyes. "They always think that they will be needed more. Always ready to get tipped by Joe." Bright Eyes looked into the old man's face and studying his features. He looked down at her. "Don't worry. Mr. Pulitzer isn't going to hurt you. He just wants to talk to you about some things. Nothing to worry about." Bright Eyes snorted. "Yeah, I've had a scab tell me dat more dan once, an' usually it wasn't jest talkin' dat occurred." Seitz looked down at the grubby girl with a look of affection and pity as he let her in to a large room. "Wait here. Mr. Pulitzer should be downstairs soon."
"Whats he doin' gettin' his medals on or somethin'?" Bright Eyes retorted. The man struggled to keep a smile off of his face and closed the door.

Bright Eyes walked around the room, observing the objects and pictures with a growing interest. 'Mus' be grand livin' in a 'ouse like dis. Havin' all dese pictures an' stuff. Wonda where he got 'em all? Wonda whea I could get some o' dis stuff?' Bright Eyes' thoughts were interrupted suddenly by the sound of footsteps on the stairs. She turned quickly and saw Mr. Pulitzer walking slowly down the stairs. She stood up straighter as he approached, determined not to let him sense her uneasiness. "Hey ya Joe. Long time no see."

The old man stiffened as the girl spoke to him. Then he motioned her to a chair. She sat in a large, cushy leather chair, sinking into it delightfully. "So why'd ya want me Joe? Got a problem wit my sellin'? Or ya jest miss me from da last time we met?" The girl remarked sarcastically." Mr. Pulitzer ignored the girl's cynical comments and commenced to speak to her convincingly. "I have a proposition for you my girl. It involves the rally you and your Newsie friends will be putting on, about a week from now." Bright Eyes rolled her eyes. "No it ain't a rally rally. Its like a commemoration ting, in memry of da last rally we 'ad."

Pulitzer shrugged it off. "Now I understand that you have been talked to by many people who claim that your reputation of being a girl Newsie is failing. Now I can help you raise that reputation if you help me. The girl shrugged. "Bribery Joe? I neva woulda 'spected dat!" Bright Eyes remarked, grinning. Pulitzer looked at the girl who at the moment seemed unconcerned with anything he had told her. He decided to get on with the main reason he had asked her here. " What I want from you is a way for some of my people to get into your rally. There will be thousands of boys there, make sure that there is room for some of my boys to, help you all out."

Bright Eyes sat up straight in her chair, her eyes blazing. "Help us out? Dat what you said Joe? Well, I know what ya mean by "helping us out." In plain woids, soakin' us! No can do Joe. Find some otha crony ta do yer doity woik." Pulitzer leaned down close to the girl's face and spoke in soft, convincing tones. "If you do not do this, I'll have to contact someone, who has very persistently attempted to see me about a certain girl he believes is now a Newsie." Pulitzer stood up slowly and observed the change on Bright Eyes' face. He finally had grabbed her attention. "Lets see if his name rings a bell to you, hmm? How about John O'Connor?"

At the man's name, Bright Eyes' face went sheet white and her hands clasped the arms of the chair as if she feared that she was going to fall off. When she spoke, her voice was tense and frightened. "Ya wouldn't do dat Joe. You can't do dat ta me. I ain't seen him in ages an I don't intend ta see him again! Please Joe." The look of triumph in Pulitzer's eyes made Bright Eyes heart drop in her chest. He had her now, and there was no escape. "Well, how can we work around this here problem. You can let my boys in, or I contact your father. Is it a deal?" Pulitzer stood expectantly looking at Bright Eyes, while she thought. Finally she spoke, her voice soft and timid. "Ya promise, no one gets hoit Joe?" Pulitzer laughed. "Of course not." Bright Eyes stood up slowly and began to walk toward the door with a dejected air about her. "Nice doin' business witcha Joe." she commented as the door closed softly behind her, leaving the old man alone in the room contemplating his next move.

Seitz walked into the room shortly after Bright Eyes had left. He looked at Mr. Pulitzer curiously. "Chief, you wouldn't really contact her father, would you?" Pulitzer laughed and lit a cigar. "Of course I wouldn't, that was just a convincer. Besides, there is no real way to contact him." Seitz was now thoroughly confused at what his boss was telling him. "But Chief, why?" Pulitzer puffed the stinking smoke out of his mouth with a certain relish. "Because he's dead Seitz. Two weeks ago was shot by some goon drunker that he was. But I can still contact someone who looks remarkably like him, and just as convincing." Seitz cocked his head, waiting to hear more. "His identical twin brother." Pulitzer said, with a smirk spreading across his features delightfully.