Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-04-12
SYNOPSIS

Rod Herrick, OF Golden Arrow. Montana,
has como to Chicago to enter the univer-
rity. II is spring and he intends to earn
enough money to enter school by fall. HIS
LAWYER friend, Martin Thompson, takes him
20 4 party given by Alderman Durant for
his daughter, Lyla. Rod unused to So
oiety's ways, treads on the girls foot and
Is insulted for his clumsliness by Reggie, her
nance. To avert trouble between the two,
she takes Rod into the garden where he
tells her OF his life In the West. warm
friendship springs up between them.
Later, LyIa, Reggie, Rod. and several
others go to the Swamp Hut, cabaret.
where Reggie drinks too much. He strikes
Rod who fails to return his blow. Lyla
thinks Rod is coward. but she learns diff
ferently when he takes her from Woh'
notorious gangster who had snatched her
from Resgie's arms while they were dan
cling.
Wolf attacks Rod and Is Knocked out.
Several Of VOLTS henchmen also attack
the youth but are routed just as police
raid the place. Rod is able to get the girl
safely out Of The place.
The next night. as he leaves her home
after having spent the evening with her,
he Is kidnapped by Wolf and his gang
who take him out Of the city in their car
They tell him they are going to kill him,
but he Is saved by federal agents who are
laying in wait for bootleggers.
-. manager OF prizefshters, King, who
was in the cabaret when Rod fought with
the gangsters. offers him contract be-
como a boxer, and Rod accepts in order to
make enough money to enter school. At
the gymnasium King orders Kelly, another
of his boxers, to put on the gloves with
Rod in order to see how skilled bis new
fighter Is. Kelly, afraid that Rod may re-
place him. tries to harm him when they
get into the ring, but Rod knocks him
cut.
That evening Rod goes to see Lyla. They
70 for q walk to the beach. He tells her
of his love and takes her into his arms.
Intoxicated with her nearness and softness
no kisses her hungriiy but she averts dis
aster by begging him not to spoil their
friendship.
They leave the beach, and as they reach
the sidewalk, she discovered that she has
MT her pocketbook. Rod runs back after
il and when he returns he sees her being
dragged into a car. A half block away.
tho machine crashes into the sidewalk and
Rod Is able to catch it.
He finds Lyla's abductor is Reggie, who
has been drinking heavily. However, Reg
xie's identity is not known to him until
after he has beaten him severely. Lyla,
for some reason which he does not under
stand becomes angry at him and after
they take Reggie to doctor, tells him TO
20 away.
As the days pass, Rod trains faithfully
and sees no one except the other lighters
In the gym. He does not try to see Lyia.
ono afternoon his friend, Martin, takes
him to "tea party" ut young society
girls home. There Is much gaiety NJ
the party, which Rod soon discovers is
caused by free drinking OF liquor.
He meets q seductive looking girl named
Zeda. who makes him take S drink-the
first one in his life. Under the influence
OF the liquor he kisses Zelda In the hallway
Of the place and looks up to see Lyia enter
ing. zeda laughs triumphantly and, pulling
Rod into q room. slams the door.