The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-04-26


spiel you gave me2"
Sure IL was" answered the girl with
Split. why, what do you think? Do
you suppose I'd lie to you? Go down
to the shop and ask 'em. l handed II
to you on the level"
"On the dead level2" said Cork.
That's the way want it, because
Because what?"
II throw up my hands," said Cork
You've got me goin'. You're the girl
I've been lookin' for. VIII you keep
company with me. Ruby?"
Would you like me to-Eddie?"
"Surest thing. But l wanted Il
straight story about-about yourself,
you know. When a fellow has a girl
a steady girl-she's got to be all right
you know She's got to be straight
goods"
You'll find I'll be straight goods,
Eddie"
"Of course you will. l believe what
you told me. But you can't blame me
for wantin' to find out. You don't see
many girls smokin' cigarettes in places
like Rooney's after midnight that are
| like you"
! The girl flushed a little and lowered
! her eyes. II see that now" she said
| meekly. 81 didn't know how bad it
| looked. But | won't do II any more.
And I'll go straight home every night
and stay there. And I'll give up Gig.
arettes If you say so, Eddie-Ill cut
EN- out from this minute on"
Cork's air became judicial. proprie.
tary. condeI<natory. yet sympathetic
"A lady can smoke" he decided slowly.
"at times and places. Why? Because
it's bein' a lady that helps her pull
it Off"
Eddie, do you really like me?" The
girl searched his hard but frank fea.
lures eagerly with anxious eyes.
"On the dead level"
when are you coming to see me
where l live?"
Thursday, day after tomorrow even
in. That suit your"
Fine. I'll be ready for you. Come
about I. Walk to the door with me to-
night and I'll show you where live.
Don't forget, now"
ION the dead level" said Cork, "you
make em all look like rag dolls 10 me.
Honest, you do"
Against the front door downstairs re-
peated heavy blows were delivered.
The loud crashes resounded in the room
above Only a triphammer or a police
mans foot could have been the author
of those sounds. Rooney jumped like
bullfrog to corner Of the room, turn
ed OF the electric lights and hurried
swiftly below. The room was left Ut
terly dark except for the winking red
glow Of cigars and cigarettes. FraLM.
cool. smooth, reassuring, could lie seen
in the rosy glow of The burning tobac-
co going from ia Die to table
"All keep still" was his caution.
Don't talk or make any nolse. Every
thing will be all right"
Ruby felt across the table until
Cork's firm hand closed upon hers.
Are you afraid, EddieY she whis.
pered. Are you afraid you'll get
free rider
"Nothin' doin' in the teeth chatterin
line" said Cork. II guess Rooney's |
been slow with his envelope. Don't |
you worry. girly; I'll look out for you
all right"
Yet Mr. McManus' ease was only skin |
and muscle deep. With the police look |
ing everywhere for Buck Malone's as. |
sailant and with Corrigan still on the |
hn nj hat fn hn |
in police raid would mean an ended |
career for him. And just when he had |
met Ruby too! He wished he had re-
mained in the high rear room of the |
true Capulet reading the pink extras.
Rooney seemed to have opened the |
front door below and engaged the po-
lice in conference in the dark hall. |
Frank made wireless news station of
himself at the upper door Suddenly
he closed the door, hurried to the ex-
treme rear OF the room and lighted a
dim gas jet
This way, everybody" he called
sharply; 'in a hurry, but no noise,
please"
The guests crowded in confusion to
the rear. Rooney's lieutenant swung
open a panel in the wall, overlooking
the backyard, revealing 4 ladder al
ready placed for the escape.
Down and out, everybody" he com.
Among the last, Cork and Ruby
waited their turn at the open panel.
Suddenly she swept him aside and
clung to his arm fiercely.
Before we GO out" she whispered
In his ear-"before anything happens,
tell me again, Eddie, do you i do you
really like me?"
ION the dead level" said Cork, hold
ing her close with one arm, when II
comes to you, I'm all in."
When they turned they found they
were lost and in darkness. The last
If the fleeing customers had descend
I'd. Half way across the yard they
bore the ladder, stumbling, glgglng.
to place 1t against an adJoin-
ng low building, over the roof of
4 L. |