The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-26

And while waited I looked about
me. studying that caravansary OF
crime. And / could do so with a rea-
sonable sense OF security. for some
where amid that crowd of damp get
ters and doss-housers and cruisers and
listers sat Doyle of the Alliance Of
fee, htly appareled as a card-sharp.
while at another table ToOsey Attrlll
conversed over her emulsion OF tan
bark and hops with that ever watch
ful fellow stool, Ooley Bey. the hockey
pokey man. And later in the evening,
I remembered. wilkins and Sloan him
self we're to appear on the scene.
Yet Tiernan's "ink-pot," Toosey had
given me to understand. was the worst
Of its kind. probably the worst in all
New York.
There was a time when I'd never
have believed a lordly city could nurse
under its opulent plumage such n
louse-nest of depravity. Il made me
suddenly sick of low life in all its
forms and phases. 1t left me HATING
the work I was ordained TO follow.
And I was. at the moment. thinking
more about where I could find a good
school for Serena, when at a beer
stained table not six feet away from
me noticed woman more youthful
She sat silent and alone at her table,
with n face as white as chalk. The
thin checks. so futilely powdered and
rouged, the rebellious mouth with its
full under-lip. the gray-blue eyes that
looked over-large and lustrous in the
restless face. all combined to mark the
type. even while holding her apart
from r more sodden sisters. She
hadn't touched, I noticed. the glass OF
"suds" that stood in front OF her. She
sat staring out across the smoky room,
tho picture OF preoccupied misery.
She seemed to be watching the door.
Then I saw a sort OF spasm pass over
her body Her restless hand suddenly
pushed back the beer-glass. She sat
looking at II with empty eyes for
several minutes. Then she began to
CRY, noiselessly bitterly abandonedly
Some power which I didn't. stop "a
understand prompted me to slip out OF
my chair and cross to that white-faced
girls table There I dropped into the
chair opposite to her
, What's the mattor?" found the
courage to ask.
Lea me alone!" she said listlesslv
between her stifed little sobs. They
made me think Of Serena. And tina
left me both more patient and NOR,
persistent.
But hate to see you feel that way
! tried to fell her. She didn't ever
look at me-
IT'S nothin' to eat yuh!" was hel
sullen retort.
"But how do you know can't hell
you ?" I demanded.
"Yuh cantl" she replied.
why can't II" demanded
"B'cause yuh can't" was her mood.
fly stubborn answer.
But why can't you get II of you
chcst?" 1t paid. knew, not to b
4 ean'tl" she said. avsrting he
body.
'But you haven't shown me why"
Because this Is the night L &c
mine!" she announced in the patois o
her circle. The PLEASING carried will
II a note OF fippnncy. but tragedy sti!
crowned that troubled young face
She leaned forward across the table
staring at me and yet not seeming 4
see me. I'm Eoin' to get what's com
in to me-and get it goodI That
what's the matter wit mel"
But what are you going get7"
demanded.
She leaned forward a little and spok
in almost a whisper.
I'm goin' to get croaked!" was he
amazing and altogether unexpecte
reply.
tried to laugh at her, but it WASH
much OF a success.
And who'll do the croaking7"
asked wondering, for a moment, If thi
could be some new and ingenious forr
Of the ancient tricks Of the dummy
chucker.
The guy I gave the throwdown.
was her answer.
What guy?''
me husbandi"
Tell me about It." I prompted.
She eyed me up and down, with
sort OF Indian summer Of suspicion.
This is my funer'll" she announced
with grimace Of resignation.
But why have II anybody's funeral ,
She drew a deep breath and stare
at the tabletop.
''Yuh ever hear o. Dock Callahan
she asked.
My knowledge OF the underwood
was extensive. but was compelled I
admit that the name was new to me.
We'll. that's the guy I hitched u
with. We hitched fr business reason
but It was a real hitch. Then they ser
him up the River fr pump-handlii
Pip siegel who wei.hed on the Gas
House Gang"
Then Duke was a gunman?'
Even fear did not altogether oblit
crate the absurd ana unreasoning ella
pride in her eyes.
Sure he was! And he still is. II
killed two men in New Mexico An
he shot a strike-picRet in St. Loui
And Gawd know how many other
And now he's coasin' down here to g
mel"
You don't mean he's coming dow
here TO thio dump to try 70 take yol
life7" I repeated. incredulous.
Hes comm to kill me-" she lis
lessly told me across the beer stains
table.
Coming from where?'
From stir. He got out today. Ar
he sent back word he'd have an oun'
o. lead through me b'fore twelve hou
were up"
ss,rben vrhv ara vou sitting here wal