Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-08-24

around beside her, TO where I could
peer out also beneath the curtain
fold, and thus gain glimpses Of the
two men. They were talking earnest
! iy, but had lowered their voices. until
they were nearly inaudible amid the
din of the place. The anger and threat
had gone out of both voices; but only oc-
casionally could we weave together
words into an understandable sem
tence; these came to us detached, un-
related, as the surrounding noise
ceased suddenly, or the music came
TO pause.
"You didn't get it, Then who the
hi did? Me- / should say no; why
never knew the old man had even
slipped him the dough. That d-n
girl rode down with him. OF course
| do; saw them go out together I;
that's why thought ] was playing
safe TO keep away. Somebody has
played us for suckers. If you had
kept your DIN mouth shut we'd a-had
| il easy"
Waldron broke in, stung by this last
taunt into elevating his voice.
what you mean, keep my mouth
shut? So help me, Moses, / tell no.
body"
''The hi you didn't You blabbed
the whole thing TO DAILY. He told me
so himself. That's what ] was doing
last night. bluffing him out"
al
stuff? amt seen DAILY for three
year. Was he in this deal? Why you
not tell me Of Daily befOre?"
'Tell you! never knew it until
he told me-"
A waiter brushed past him, bearing
tray, striking against one shoulder
as he passed. Harris glanced up with
a snarling oath, and, before realized
the danger, his eyes must have caught
a glimpse of me beneath the draped
curtain. Instantly the fellow was on
his feet, all else forgotten in a swift
wave Of passion.
There's the guy noww he burst
forth. He's hiding In that booth;
saw him. Come on, and Wen have
the stiff cough up yet =
drew back swiftly, pushing the
girl behind me. There was no place
in which to hide, no chance for
escape. Perhaps j could explain, but,
if not, then ! must fight The two
came plunging through the opening
and faced us, the heavy curtains drop
ping behind them and shutting out all
view beyond. Harris, infiamed by
drink, glared about as though doubt
ing the evidence OF his own eyes, but
his expression was that of savage
hatred.
HI, If they amt both Of 'em here
Say this is rich. So you two are in
eahoots, hey? Thought you'd play me
for d--n fool did you, DAILY? Well,
I'll show you what you're up against
you and yer girl. Come now, where's
that boOdle?"
Il know nothing about 1t, Harris"
You're liar. This dame went
away with Alva in his car. saw her
of you. and be d--n quick about ii,
or you'll never get out Of here with
out hole through you. You think
you can double-cross me; I'll show
you a trick of my ownf'
He was reaching for his gun II
must have caught in his pocket, though
wasted no time. 1t was his life or
mine, and gripped the empty wine
bottle ON the table and smashed a
vicious blow at his head. He went
down like log. his body half project
ing through the curtains, while /
wheeled about barely in time to meet
the mad bull rush of Waldron. The
Russian could not have been armed,
for he came at me with bare hands,
his grip like that OF bear. For an
instant he had me throttIed, scarcely
able to breathe, my hands pinned help
iessiy In the grasp OF his arms. But
brute strength was all he possessed,
brute strength and ferecity. The bot
tie was crushed out Of my fingers, yet
wriggled partially free, and got one
hand twisted into his whiskers, jerk
ing his head back. and side-wise, until
the strained neck threatened to crack,
and he had to release his grip to
protect himself. It was all over in a
minute, but hot while IL lasted; /
know we struck against the girl.
throwing her to her knees; know the
fellow stumbled over Harris legs, Civ
ing me a chance to drive home one
fist square into his face. / heard
him rip out Hebrew oath, and saw
blood staining his lips. tried to
break away from him, but Il was no
use; yet the effort opened his guard
for a swift uppercut, and let him
have II straight to the chin. He
crashed back across the table, and
hung there dangling, arms outspread
and head in a broken dish. Before l
could strike again, or even recover
my breath, the curtains we're thrust
aside. and The head-waiter,
backed by half dozen subordlnates,
came tumbling in over Harris inert
body. Even as they stared about, /
helped the girl TO her feet. and faced
them.
what happen here, Msleur2 What
happenT shrieked the excited French
man "Yoa keel ne menl WhatT
"No; they're Just knocked out. A
little private affair, that's aIl,s said,
too exhausted to speak clearly. "See
here, M'sieur," and I thrust the first
bill I could reach into his hand. Hush