The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-10-31
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, Frank Sheridan, see what he's let
me intOi"
| CMEDLEY'S wrath at his absent
~ friend had cooled before he long
had been in the company of Sheri-
dams pretty sister, now seated oppo-
site him in the hotel dining room.
He looked into a pair of cool, gray
eyes set in a piquant face. Close
clustered curls of flaming red rioted
on a small beautifully head
which rose from cleaning white
shoulders.
This striking picture was given
added effect by a Nile green eve
ming frock with corsage cut daringly
low. A loop of pearls encircled the
slender throat. Pauline Murchison
was arrayed for conquest, and
Smedley baSked in the glow of her
vivid personality. For the time be-
ing, Sheila WILDER was out of mind
and memory.
The orchestra struck up lively
| foxtrot. Several couples we're sway
ing to the music on the dance floor.
Smedley leaned across the table.
Would you care to dance?" he
asked.
please excuse me-" Pauline re-
piled. shaking her head. Il don't
want to be recognized. You see,
have so little time to spend in In
dianapolis, and if my friends here
find me out, they will insist upon
entertaining me. 1t would not do to
see some and slight the others. I
left things at odds and ends at home
and 1 must stop off in New York for
some shopping. 1 would be leaving
tomorrow if Frank were home"
"Oh, that isn't fair" Smedley
complained, you must stay over for
a few days and let us all see more
of you
That's kind of you" she replied,
smiling into his eyes, but it can't
be-" She glanced around the room.
When she turned back a mischie-
vouS smile hrked in her eyes.
"a girl over there on the other
side OF the room is looking daggers
at me" she said quietly. rs it pos
Sible I have stirred the demon of
jealousy in some feminine breast?"
Smedley turned quickly. BY the
gods, Edna Rogersi" he exclaimed
under his breath, now the fats in
the fire!"
ICONVERSATION languished be-
~ tween Andy and Edna The
latter could not keep her mind off
the fickle-hearted Smedley and his
fair companion. She stole frequent
glanceS in their direction; they
seemed absorbed in each other and
obliviouS of their surroundings.
Andy, whose mercurial tempera-
ment demanded action, was becom-
! ing bored. Edna had refused to
dance. and Andy craved a drink.
Hip TASKS are frowned upon at the
Claypool.
A couple. flushed with dancing,
threaded their way through the
crowded tables. The man was tall,
sallow-faced, with a wisp of black
mustache on a thin, selfish lip; the
girl, small, but shapely, the pert
pony ballet type of the old stage
days; a mop of bleached hair con-
trasted strangely with black-pen-
ciled eyebrows. mascaraded lashes
and roughed cheeks.
Home Mention and Mercedes Riv-
erton had been In the party of rev.
elerS at Andy Masters apartment
the preceding night. Mention was
one of those wolves of the law who
specialize in criminal practice and
prey upon the fears and necessities
OF their clients, the dregs of the I'M
derworld.
Cruel and rapaciouS, blackmailer
at heart and in practice, Mention
masked his real character behind
an affectation of geniality and good
fellowship. He moved in a fast set
which hung upon the fringes of re-
spectacle society.
His assumption of sophisticated,
man-of-the-world manner won for
him a leadership among easily gull
lible, wealthy young idlers of Mas
ters' type.
Mention cultivated such friend
ships carefully and used them for
his own purposes. AS ward heller
in gang politics. he was able to
cement their allegiance by whisper
ing in the ears of certain judges,
thus gaining them immunity in
minor infractionS of the law.
Andy. who continually was run
ming afoul of traffic regulations and
speed officers, had prohted fire.
quently in this way. He looked upon
Mention as a pal and adviser.
Mercedes Riverton was Mentions
stenographer and Office assistant. a
light-hearted, but shrewd, little
! 'gold-digger," pretty in her way and