Evening star., 1922-10-29
BY
GEORGE KIBBE
TURNER
B Y

sweat from Ms IAce. Anu mc1onnel
looked at volpe and Volpe looked
back.
That's a new one" said Mcconnell
Don't you believe it," said the big
one. bristling up.
Il might, and then, again, / nigh
not. But that don't make any dif'
ference what 1 believe. I don't haw
to believe. It's simpler than hat"
simpler"
"rll know soon enough-when sa
her" =,
But you won't see her" said the
big man; mot IL 1 know It,"
"Oh, yes, I will-either with you
with me friendly or with you down
at headquarters--which you .like
best"
You'll kill her" he hollered.
That's ALL"
Probably I WILL" said McConnelk
the detective. looking at Volpe, IN
there's anybody there to kill"'
But the big man took no notice -
that crack.
And IL you do-if you hurt her ~
way" he went on; III you harm her
any way. I'll get you; Til smash you
some day If spend my life at IT."
Come on" said Mcconnell. the de-
tective. Don't start getting careless.
again. You're not fixed right to get
rough. It's up to you. You can start
war or we can all stroll over like
friends"
But she's in bed with a headache"
She'll have to get up then" said
Mcconnell, the detective.
y **
a ND finally he gave up. and th<
n three went over on the bus I'd
Riverside and up into the apartments
all parties watching their step, nou
knowing just what was coming.
1t was all right so far. 1t was hid
place, all right. and he had It fixed up
in style. too-servants and all that.
Tell your mistress I've got to have
her come out-dress and come out and
see a couple of friends" he said to the
maid, almost choking over the last
word.
For Mcconnell, the detective,
wouldn't listen. naturally, to his go.
ing in to seeing her alone to frame
up any story between them.
And finally. after some talk, shs
came out-all silk and ribbons. one
of those light-hearted, henna- haired
ones that roll their own. But her
eyes kind of scared, at that.
"Oh, Dan," she said. what is it? Is
anything wrong?"
mo. hon." he said, patting her on
the shoulder. mo. Just some friends"
he said, choking on the word again.
"All it is, 1 want you to just tell
them about your necklace"
But what-what-" she said,
chasing her big brown eyes from one
to the other.
IT'S all right. hon." said the big
fellow, calming her and looking over
at the two others with red murder in
his eyes. You go ahead and I'll ex-
plain to you later"
So she told them finally about the
necklace and showed them the bill Of
sale and the check she'd paid for it,
her check. He'd given her the money.
And they saw finally they were in
wrong.
She stood facing them. looking like
frightened kid.
But who are you?" she wanted to
know.
/ And her husband told her. looking
| frst-degree murder at them while he
! talked. for she acted now as IL she :.
were going to pieces. And they were
afraid they'd got in a mess, especially
Mcconnell, the detective.
And suddenly she broke down
seemed to-throwing her arms around
the big mans neck.
| Don't, honey" said the big con-
tractor, patting her with his big fin
gers. Wen be all right-we'll make
it all back again.
Sure" said Volpe. stepping for
ward, with the necklace in his hand.
trying to fix it up with them. And
| if he wants the money-the extra ten
thousand-it will be all right"
And she didn't say anything. but
just buried her head deeper in the big
boys shoulders. And murder burn
ing redder and redder in his eyes as
he looked at them and patted her.
"And il you want 1.-THE necklace
to use-to wear any time" said Nolpe.
holding it toward her. like candy to
a kid, you can have it. We can fix
it up all right If you want to wear it
AS your mascot
He held it up to her and touched
her and she pushed it away.
81 don't want it," she said. Take
1t away! l wouldn't wear the darn
thing on a bet.'
And all the three stood waiting for
her.
did you do-all that-for me?' she
said, staring.
What wouldn't do for you hon?"
Take the chance of going broke
and all that?"
But he won't" said Volpe, break
ing in again. He'll be all right. And
for the necklace" he said, offering 1t
to her again, wen fix"
Take 1t away" she said, pushing
it of again. THE darn thing. T
never want to see it again.
And the big man looked queer.
How foolish you were." she said,
in kind of q sharp voice. How
,crazy-to take a chance like that
just to keep me satisfied-with that
fool thing! I never want to see ie
again.!
at once. while they stood around
looking. she threw herself on hip
again and started to crying as II her
heart would break. And he pattine
her and trying to comfort her. TO
keep her from tearing herself to
pieces.
Don't, DON'T" he said. There's
nothing to cry about any more" II