Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-09-04
CHAPTER XVIII.

/
Outraged to the uttermost deepa
of his soul and swearing revenge by
all his gods. Meiny arose from the
gutter. Then. after number of as
| tonishingly improper remarks adj
dressed at the closed door of the
/ Haven, he picked up his hat, now
badly damned. and limped down the,
dark sidewalk toward Hanover street,
| bound for a saloon where. in all
probability. Mugs Rafferty, might be
| tound-Ahlggs, who OF his command,
would beat the block off of anybody
whose block Nciny might desire
returned into his Gemesne, amid gem
eral approval.
THAT was peach of t'row you
give him." commented one of the
younger men.
* pippin." added another. Took
some beef to do IT."
'Beef?" exclaimed the cripple. his
face radiant with lovine, admiration
"Betcha life!" He's the guy what's
got it. But II he Couldn't of handled
him alone, I'd OF waded in. an"
Pretty speedy. all right came
another voice.
Lucky if he don't blow back with
his bunch, an hand it TO u.s." put in
a pale, elderly workman. an out-of-
work mechanic.
ANYBODY know de guy" asked a
man from the swinging door. his up
| per lip bedecked with stew, fork
still in his hand.
"Betcha his gang'll be here in half
an hou," spoke up one of the boys.
"Retter not!" shrilled the cripple,
truculently. And general CONVEX
sation knit itself. relative to the stir
Unmindflll Of. it all. Bradford re-
turned to his lunch room and to the
sailor, who still held captive the
cringins. -quive-ing Dan. 4
At sight of bradford, the dopester
shirlnk snpinely
III amt to blame for it, nor
nothin'.' he whined, "You can't
blame me, can you. eh? I never
| wanted to come in here, s'help me.
An I never"
Forget it," Bradford treasured
| him, laying hand on the prisoners
emacated shoulde". TN not blam-
ing you for anything. I figure that
he's the ring leader in this dirty
business. and you're only the tool.
Come up stairs with me, and let's
talk things over"
4 look of terror crept into Dams
glazed eyes. His nerves. already
| over strained from lack of the drug.
seemed on the point of giving way.
entirely. He began to witch and
fidget with pitiable signs of col
lapse.
Gimme just two O. them pills" he
whispered hoarsely with terrible
earnestness. "Just two. an I'll get
BY"
Bradford shook his head deci->
sively.
Nothing doing" said he.
"One-just one-half a one!"
MOI" He took Dams skinny arm
and drew him toward a door that
gave upon some stairs. In spite of
all his protests, supplications and en-
treaties, up stairs Dan had to go.
Bradford knocked at a door. A
sleepy voice answered.: "Hello?" (
Sorry to ask you. but. you've got
WHILE" said Ninton. "I'll be busy for
an hour or so. Go right down.
please"
"All right" the voice responded.
\ moment later, deaf to all protesta-
tons. Bradford had thrust Dan into
Il small room plainly furnished with
a cot, bureau and a chat: or two.
my own quarters" said he. "Tm
going to give you the best in the
house."
Give me the? What-what you
talltin' about?" stammered Dan.
You're going to stop with me a
while, that's ALL
"Stay here, Ell? I WON'T I can't"
Yes, you can and will" Bradford
assured him. "Sit down, there, and
let's talk things over reasonably"
He pointed toward one of the chairs
into which Dan sank Imply. He
himself sat on the bed. Now, then"
said he, "as 1 understand this mat
ter
st tell you amt to blame, nor
nothin'," whimpered Dan. eff you
have me pinched, you'll be shown
the wrong guy"
"Pinched?" queried Bradford.
What ever gave you that idea? I
haven't the slightest notion in the
world Of having you pinched, so for
get it,"
A look of amazement overspread
Dams quivering features.
You ANTI" he quavered. ''You
amt eh?"
Certainly not. I've got better uses
for you than to have you pulled"
Dan peered at him with blank
eyes of establishment.
AN after what he done to you?"
asked he. "An' me with him, an
all? Say! They been tellin' round
the North End you're a right guy,
an guess they hit it O.. X, at
that Then with a Change of ex-
preston, a wheedling, sly and in
gratiating air, he added: You
wouldn't mind givh' me"
you'll get nothing but free board
and ROOM for while" Bradford in
terrupted. MOT a single pill"