The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-05-02

straight, about you workin' in q book
bindery sand Twin at homeland just
happeniR in here-and-and all that
| spiel youigave me?"
"Sure ie was" answered the girl with
spirit. why, what do you think? Do
you suppose I'd lie to you? Go down
to the shop and ask 'em. I handed 1t
| to you on the level"
"On the dead level7" said Cork
"Thats the way want it, BECAUSE
Because what?"
81 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. RubyY
would you like me to-Eddie?"
"Surest thing. But wanted a
straight story about-about yourself,
you know. When fellow has 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. 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 little and lowered
her eyes. II see that now" she said
meekly. II didn't know how bad 1t
looked. But I won't do it any more.
And I'll go straight home every night
and stay there. And III give up Gig
arettes if you say so. Eddie-I1l cut
'em out from this minute on"
CorSs air became judicial, proprie-
tary. condemnatory. yet sympathetic.
"a lady can smoke" he decided slowly.
"at times and places. Why? Because
it's bein' a lady that helps her pull
| 1t Off"
Eddie. do you really like met" The
girl searched his hard but frank fea-
lures eagerly with anxious eyes.
ION the dead level"
"When are you coming to see me-
where liver
Thursday, day after tomorrow even
in. That suit your
"Fine. I'll be ready for you. Come
about Z. 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 to 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 police
mans foot could have been the author
Of those sounds. Rooney Jumped like
bullfrog to a corner Of the room, turn.
ed off the electric lights and hurried
swiftly below. The room was left ut.
terly dark except for the winking red
glow Of cigars and cigarettes. Frank,
cool. smooth, reassuring. could be seen
in the rosy glow Of the burning tobac.
CO going from table to table.
"Al keep STILL" was his caution.
Don't talk or make any noise. 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 q
free rider
"Nothin' DOM in the teeth chatterin
line." said Cork. IT 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
ocean wave. he felt that to be caught
in police raid would mean an ended
career for him. And just when he had
met Ruby too! He wished he had re
manned in the high rear room of the
true Capulet reading the pink extras.
Rooney seemed to have opened tht
front door below and engaged the pc
lice in conference in the dark hall
Frank made wireless news station OIL
himself at the upper door. Suddenly
he closed the door, hurried to the ex
treme rear Of the room and lighted 6
dim gas jet.
'This way, everybody" he called
sharply: "in hurry. but no noise
please"
The guests crowded In confusion tc
the rear. Rooney's lieutenant swung
open panel In the wall, overlooking
the backyard, revealing a ladder al
ready placed for the escape.
"Down and out, everybody he com
manded.
Among the last Cork and Ruby
waited their turn at the open panel
Suddenly she swept him aside and
chung to his arm f1erceiy.
Before we 60 out" she whisperet
in his ear-"before anything happens
tell me again, Eddie. do you = do YOU
really like meY
"On the dead level" said Cork, hold
ing her close with one arm, when 4
comes to you, I'm all in."
When they turned they found they
: | were lost and in darkness The las