Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-09-14

his business at 0sldberg's ONCE, sought
q more familiar haunt on one Of the
side streets amone the forttes. Here,
just OF Broadway, was famous bar
Der shop--a spotlsss place. with white
Interior and tiled wallis. six Italians
In stt6 duck coats practiced their prts
at row Of well-eQuipped chairs. A
wasp,waisted girl sat at the manicure
table next the froAt windows. As Ji1n
entered she was holding the hand Of
4 faded person 10 light-gray suit. end
murnurins over II with an occasional
upward glance from q pair Of bold.
dark eyes. '.reny the Barber" en-
gagged In administering shampoo,
nodded at jim. and from force OF
habit lnurmursd politely: Next!
Then. with meaning glance. he indi-
cate.i q door ut the rear OF the shop.
In the third chair lin recognized Max
Melcher. although the face Of the sport
ing mau was swathed in steaMiDS
cloths.
jim passed on and into rear room.
where he found three men seated at
felt-covered table. They were well
dressed, quiet persoas--one q book
maker whom the racing laws had re-
duced from afiuence to comparative
pennry: another. 4 tall. palltd youth
with bullying eyes. The third occupant
uf the room was an ex-lightwetght
champion Of the ring. Young Sullivan
BY name. His trim waist and power
full shoulders betokened his trade. His
Jaw was Hrn. and caulifower ear
overhuny his collar like fungus.
jim drew up chair and chatted idly
until The bookmaker yawned. rose. ana
went out Then Jim and the others re-
Jared
Gee, he's sttcker" exclaimed the
pugilist. II thought he'd broke his
back"
MAX 10 getting bis map creased"
the pop-eyed youth explained. Taking
q pasteboard box from his pocket, he
removed heroin tablet therefroIn and
crushed 1t: the powder he held in the
indentation between the base Of his
closed thumb aud Hrst finger, known
az '.the thtmble:' then. with quick
inhalation. he drew the drug up his
nostrils. Have an angelf" he III.
quired, offering the box.
Jim accepted, but Young Sullivan
declined.
What's the newss" the latter In.
quired.
''rye seen Colby" replied Jim
Mother aud will call on Merkle at
three. finally got her to consent"
sullivan shook his head He might
fall. but l doubt it. How does your
sister feel?'
'.That's the trouble. She's square
and we can't use her." jim explained
Some doll" admiringly commented
Armistead, the third member Of the
group Armistead had once been
famed In vaudeville for dancing, but
the drug habit had destroyed his en-
durance, and with it his career. shes
perfect thirty six. all right. She
could rip lot Of coin loose II she
tried"
At this moment Mr.. Melcher. freshly
perfnmsd and talcumed. entered the
room His white hair was arranged
with serupulous nicely: his pink face,
as unwriakled as his Immaculate at
tire. was beaming with sood-humor.
Well. boys. I'm the pay-car." he
smiled.
Harmon came through, chg" sulli-
van inquired eagerly.
Not exactly: we compromised. Quick
sales and small profits; that's bust
ness"
How stronE did he go!" queried Ar.
instead.
Now, what's the difference, so long
as you get yours? Photography is a
paying business" Melcher laughed
ayreeably.
Sure! I'll bet Sarony is rich
Young sullivan careiessly accepted the
roll of currency which Melcher tossed
him. and the others did likewise.
Il suppose that's curtain for. US,
Jim said, regretfdlly. :.
I'll Is. The rest is Lilas' affair."
Say will the old man fall again e
queried Armisiead.
He's going to marry her." The
three others stared at him ia amaze
lnent Right" confirmed Alelcher.
Shes got strangle hold on him.
Hmm: Maybe we haven't lost the
last car yet" Sullivan ventnred.
jim seconded the thought. shes
got an ace buried somewhere. There's
lot more In her head than hairpins.
! wish Merkle would marry my sister"
mot 4 chance" Melcher declared.
You'll BE- lucky to shake him down for
few thousand. How about Wharton:
Will she stand for hing"
jim frowned. and his voice was
rough rs be replied:
"I'll make her stand for him-if it's
marry"
Hes lash: il you got him st1wes1
lie might go that far. 1t has been done:
but. OF course. It's all up to the girl.
Anyhow. II he balks at the altar We
might get him Tor something else
I'm not sure Ill need any help in
this" Jim looked up coldly. III be
marries her. that ends 1t: IL we have
to frame him. Of course III split"
How are you going to frame him
with square dame like Lorelei:
asked Armistead
'tlame both Of them." Melcher said
shortly. by the way. he's gambler
too. isn't he? Bring him in some
night. Jim. aud I'll turn for him my.
self"
Save his cuff buttons for me-
laughed Young Sullivan. idly rifliins
the cards. Gee! Money comes easy
to some folks, Don't Won guva neyeI