Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-10-05

| Lie pOp-eyeQ yOulu explained. Idklug
a pasteboard box from his pocket, he
removed heroin tablet therefrom and
crushed it; the powder he held In the
indentation between the base Of his
closed thumb and first finger, knowp
as "the thimble;;" then, with a quick
inhalation, he drew the drug up his
nostrils. "Have an angel?" he in
quired, offering the box.
Jim accepted, but Young Sullivan
declined.
whats the newsT the latter In
quired.
1--WE seen Colby" replied Jim.
Mother and will call on Merkle at
three. finally got her to consent"
Sullivan shook his head. "He might
fall, but 1 doubt it. How does your
sister feel?'
"That's the trouble. She's square,
and we can't use her." Jim explained
Some dollp' 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. "She's
perfect thirty-six, all right. She
| could rip lot of coin loose If she
| tried.'
At this moment Mr.. Melcher, freshly
perfumed and talcumed, entered the
room. His white hair was arranged
with scrupulous nicely; his pink face,
as unwrinkled as his immaculate at
tire, was beaming with good-humor.
swell, boys, I'm the pay-car," he
smiled.
Harmon came through, eh?" Sulli-
van inquired eagerly.
"Not exactly; we compromised. Quick
sales and small profits; that's bust
ness'
How strong did he go?" queried Ar
instead.
Now, what's the difference, so long
as you get yours? Photography is a
paying business" Melcher laughed
agreeably.
"Sure! I'll bet Sarony is rich"
Young Sullivan carelessly accepted the
roll of currency which Melcher tossed
him, and the others did likewise.
Il suppose that's curtain for u.s."
Jim said, regretfully.
at is. The rest is Lilas' affair.""
"Say, will the old man fall again 2"
queried Armistead.
"He's going to marry her!" The
three others stared at him in amaze
ment. "Rightw confirmed Melcher.
''She's got strangle hold on him"
Hmm! Maybe we haven't lost the
last car yet" Sullivan ventured.
Jim seconded the thought. "She's
got an ace buried somewhere. There's
lot more in her head than hairpins.
l wish Merkle would marry my sister,"
mot a chance" Melcher declared
you'll be lucky to shake him down for
few thousand. How about Wharton?
Will she stand for him?'
Jim frowned, and his voice was
rough as he replied:
'I'll make her stand for him-if It's
a marry"
Hes a lush; If you got him stewed
he might go that far. 1t has been done !;
but, Of course, it's all up to the girl.
Anyhow, If he balks at the altar we
| might get him for something else"
'I'm not sure I'll need any help in
this" Jim looked up coldly. eff he
marries her, that ends it; if we have
to frame him, of course I'll split"
"How are you going to frame him,
with a square dame like LoreleiY'
asked Armistead
Frame both of them," Melcher said,
shortly. "By the way, he's a gambler,
too, isn't he? Bring him in some
night, Jim, and I'll turn for him my
SELF
"Save his cuff buttons for me-"
laughed Young Sullivan, idly riffiing
the cards. Gee! Money comes easy
to some folks. Don't you guys never
expect to do any honest work?'