The Bismarck tribune., 1929-04-30

Il
! = =
| He turned away from the tele-
phone and hastily removed his tweed
golfing coat and sweater he'd worn
under It. Mildred's anxious tones had
warned him that she was deeply
troubled. He could guess that the
matter had to do with Stephen.
Something like Z feeling Of doom
came over him aS he realized that
he was going to her, that he wasn't
going to funk It, that he even was
making haste.
A knock came on his door as he
tore off his tie and he called out to
come in, thinking It was his valet.
In the mirror OF his dresser he
saw his visitor.
Il was Huck Connor. Harold
wheeled defensively and braced him.
self.
"What do you want?" he asked
challengingly.
Huck stepped farther into the room,
pulled out his cigaret case and ex-
tracted a cigaret before answering.
Just q friendly VISIT" he said in
solently, Ito advise you not to 60 near
your meddlesome little girl friend up
town for = WHILE
Harold glared at him. "1'll do IS
damn please" he said defiantly.
TAKE It easy" Huck advised. 1T
won't be for long"
His assurance brought . suspicious
query from the boy. what are you
up to now, Connor?" he asked.
"Ill tell you II you'll keep quiet"
fIuck surprised him by saying.
Harold nodded.
IT know this girl, Mildred Law
renee, Is interested in Stephen Armt-
tage," Huck began, eyeing Harold
closely. And know that you're
chasing her. Don't forget, you told
me yourself she Is suspicious Of me.
Assuming that she might have
guessed that you know something. !
made 1t . point to find out. Now and
then . word or two OF your converse
ton with her has been overheard" He
paused and allowed . sneer to distort
his cruel mouth.
"she's got you going" he went on
as Harold stared at him wildly, 'but
you're not going to talk"
Harold swallowed hard.
you're q fool to let yourself get
trapped by girl who Is out to save
another guy" Huck continued with
eringly. But II you're 80 set on
helping her get him just keep off for
while. II you don't, you're the guy
who will take the rap, but It doesn't
suit my purpose to give it to you. I'm
ready to meet you half way"
"What do you mean?" Harold whis-
pered hoarsely.
Keep your trap shut and I'll ar
range to have one Of the boys who's
due to get stretch up the river make
q confession that will clear Armitage.
That will put you right with the
girl and make it an even rivalry, II
he feels like going after her."
"And in the meantime" Harold said
tensely, "whatll you be dotng?"
Huck flicked the ash off his Gig
aret and smiled. "Well," he said
slowly, If you don't force my hand
| by compelling me to cable your father,
I expect to occupy my time In becom-
ing your brother -in-law."
Harold essayed to laugh. with
Pamela not even looking at your" he
taunted lightly, but his knuckles
cleaned white where he gripped the
dresser's edge. Putting Armitage
out Of the running didn't get you q
thing even IL Pam did break her en-
gagement to him."
He wanted to bring Huck out in the
open, to learn, II possible whether
the man intended to have Pamela
against her will.
Huck frowned. "Well, he said un-
pleasantly, shell look ct me when
I'm ready.
"You can't blackmail her as you
have me-" Harold retorted, leading
him on. "she's through with you.
Connor. You were just . novelty to
her. You couldn't interest her now
any more than m old shoe"
rs that so2" Huck sneered, his
real self cracking through his veneer.
"Get this. I'll make her whine just
as you have. Tanning her will be-"
He did not finish the sentence. Like
springs uncoihng Harold's hands let
60 Of the dresser and doubled into
shaking knots. He sprang at Huck
in q fury Of rage.
Hucks change from stance Of ease
| to I defensive position was lightning
quick. He met Harold's attack with
. stiff uppercut that sent the boy
reeling backward. staggering to keep
his feet.
you're through. tell you," Har-
old shrilled at him sobbingly when
he found his voice and came on again.
You're through"
Huck stood Off and stopped him
with well aimed but no crushing
blows. He was curstng himself for
having overplayed his hand.
"You fool" he gritted, do you want
to 60 to prison2"
Harold screamed back at him. "I'n
90 anywhere before I'll let you get
your hands on Pamela! She's my sis
teri You'll never get herl III tell her
what Q crook you aFel I'll tell
Armitaee who framed himl"
His words were now coming in
broken easps 6 he tore In. trying to
reach Huck with one q hts power
less blows.
you're Through" he repeated asaii,
and again - Hpck bel4 him OF. Tho
words gave him . feeling q victory
He was using them - the magic
passwords that unlocked the dark
prison where his spirit had dwelt In
fear ana s1lf-contenpt.
"No more o. ycalt crooked gambling
| IN this hotell" h6 exulted, losing hl1