Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-19

$4,000 REWARD. DEAD OR ALIVE.
BUTCH PELTON
Just beneath was a Smudged picture
of Butch, and the stark details of three
daring hold-ups in which the victims
had been ruthlcssly shot down while
holding their hands above their heads
Say. Butch" Danny demanded.
leaning forward between Max and Pete.
why can't we Still get ours without all
| this. anyway He tapped the hand
bill with the backs of his fingers
Seems to me we used to get along
without havin to croak some guy every
time we did a lob. Seems to me-"
SO" droned Butch, still absently
! riff1ing the cards, you don't like tn
way I runs things, che Think thevd
go better IN some one else's hands.
Mebbe your own, Oh. Danny?"
Not mine" flashed the boy. Not on
! your life, AS a matter O. fact. Butch. I
want to quit, after this next lob. You
know I'd never open my trap about
what's past. Not for million grand
But. Ive-1ve had enough. / want to
pull out--and-and-"
:, Marry the gal see the lights. an
i've happy ever after" concluded
Butch, nodding
"Yeh, l guess that's about it," said
Danny. and wondering why Butch's
hand old not flash to his hip
Then Butchs thin lip curled ever so
slightly. Gently he shook his head
No, he said softly. and rested his
/ pointed chin on his fists. mo, that
( amt it at all, Danny. You ami
| leavin' the gang Don't think YOU are
/ First place'--a mirthless flicker of
/ eXendS-"we like your company too
well Second place, you know too
/ Their eyes leaped in a long hostile
/ clash. and Danny knew there was no
/ appeal, Max and Pete and Joe. he
felt. would stand for his leaving. They
knew him for square shooter, but
butch suddenly he realized that
Butch was jealous of him
! 1t merely resolved itself into Butchs
hiding his time until the right oppor-
tunity rolled around. until Dannys
usefulness to the gang became less
| important than the final settlement of
the others grudge.
Well" he said affecting casual
tone, that's that An now give me the
| dope on this job next Sunday"
WALKING toward Milly's apart
w ment half an hour later Danny
could see no light ahead for him and
Milly-not while Butch Pelton lived
And with the thought Danny halted
so abruptly that man bumped into
/ him
BY George" he muttered. unnotice-
ing and clenched his fists. by George.
| I've got to do it. It's him or me- now
! and Milly."
/ His young mouth was set In hard
streak as he rang the door bell.
You're late, .hnoey." cried a re-
proachful voice. and he had con-
fused, Joyous vision Of red-checked
apron. white. floury hands and eager
eyes in the darkened hallway, with its
faint aroma of countless dinners that
had gone before. Look out--the -four
Danny--your blue suit
After the last spoonful of ice cream
had been triumphantly scraped from
its container they did the dishes and
then wandered into the dim coziness Of
| the tiny front room. Danny sat down
in a corner of the worn leather couch
and the girl snuggled up to him. her
little head nesting in the curve Of his
left arm.
They were sitting so. mindless of
time. when the door bell buzzed
BY golly," exclaimed the boy
guiltily. II forgot to tell you, hon.
It's the Gimp-he seems so lonesome,
somehow. / told him to come around
an meet you tonight, He's a great
guy: you'll like him"
In another minute came the
familiar tap of cane and shoe leather
on the linoleum of the hall and Danny
ushered In his friend
We'll. we'll" he exclaimed. and
shook hands with Milly. We'll. the
boy hasn't exaggerated. for once in
his life!"
Thank YOU" laughed the girl. warm
color clouding her face. I've heard
some pretty nice things about you, too,
MIR ----- Mr., -"
Don't Mister me. please smiled
the Older man, easing himself deity
into the chair Danny drew up. I'm
Just Gimp to those that like me. miss"
He hesitated. glancing at Danny.
Luck in odd numbers, y'know,
Three amt a crowd. fr instance. If
we're the three. is it,
'Of course not" agreed Milly.
why" continued the Gimp solemnly,
"it even takes three to get married,
don't It? Leastways 1t used to back i'll
California"
oh" exclaimed the girl. have you
been there? Tell me about 1t. Is it
all so wonderful"
1T looks" grinned Danny, setting
back, "as If you're in for 1t, my boy"
The big man chuckled indulgently at
her wide eyed interest. Chuckled and
| then unbent as Danny had not
| imagined he could do. Avoiding all
references TO himself. he lifted them
out of the narrow little room into an
| other world--a world Of white sun
| light, waving trees and blue surf
| pounding beach not strewn with the
| litter Of picnic lunches by the thousand.
1t seemed to the boy and the girl that
| twelve O'Clock was on them In one
| bound
How'd you like the kidd" he in
| quired casually, as they strolled home
| through the deserted street The Gimp
| shook his head.
| Twenty carat, Danny. Too
good for you"
Don't I know it," exclaimed the
boy bitterly What bum ! am!
Honest. Gimp, wouldn't It pull you all