The Glenwood post., 1924-04-10

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you'll kill her" he hollered.
That's ALL"
probably 1 will" said Mcconnell,
the detective, looking at volpe, "if
there's anybody there to KILL"
But the big man took no notice of
that crack.
"And II you do-if you hurt her
any way" he went on, "if you harm
her any way, I'll get YOU'LL smash
you some day, if spend my life at
itw
"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
a war, or we can all stroll over like
friends"
"But she's in bed, with headache"
She'll have to get up then" said
Mcconnell, the detective.
And finally he gave up, and the
three went Over-on the bus to River
side-and up into the apartment-all
parties watching their step, not know
ing just what was coming.
1t was all right so far It was his
place all right-and he had 1t fixed
up in style, too-servants and all
thati
"Tell your mistress I've got to have
her come out. Dress and come out
and see 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, she
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 1t? Is
anything wrong7"
mo, Hon." he said, patting her on
the shoulder mo. Just some friends"
he said, choking on the word again.
"All 1t is, want you to just tell them
about your necklace"
"But what-what-" she said
chasing her big brown eyes from orc
to the other.
ITS all right, Hon." said the big
fellow, calming her-and looking over
at the other two 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 1t.
Her check-he'd given her the money!
And they saw finally-they were in
wrong.
She stood facing them-looking Ike
frightened kid.
"But who are you?" she wanted to
know.
And her husband told her-looking
first-degree murder at them while he
talked, for she acted now as If she
was going to pieces. And they were
afraid they'd got in a mess-especlal-
ly 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
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1t all back again"
"Sure," said volpe, stepping for
ward, with the necklace in his hand
trying to fix 1t 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
burning redder and redder in his eyes
as he looked at them and patted her.
"And If you want 1.-THE necklace
to use-to wear any timei" said
volpe holding 1t toward her, like
candy to kid, "you can have 1t We
can fix 1t up-all right-if you want
to wear 1t as your mascot!"
BE held 1t up to her-and touched
her and she pushed 1t away.
II don't want It she said. 'Take
II away! wouldn't wear the darn
thing on bet!"
And all the three stood waiting for
her.
'Don't cry" said the big man, like
somebody talking to some young kid.
"Don't cry. It's all right"
At that she looked up. and she
wasn't crying at all. She looked up.
hanging onto the back Of his neck.
staring into his eyes.
"Did you dO-all that-for mer
she said, staring.
"What wouldn't do for you, HON."
"Take the chance Of going broke
and all thatw
"But he won't" said volpe, break
ing In again. Hell be all right. And
for the necklace" he said, offering 1t
to her again-"we'll fix"
"Take 1t away!" she said, pushing
1t off again. 1.-THE darn thing.
never want to see 1t again!"
And the big man looked queer.
"How foolish you were," she said in
kind Of a sharp voice. "How crazy.
| kn tok chapCo lilo hok <o