Evening star., 1932-01-31

IN nice car, enP Pretty girls SNOuIon
have to fight through crow6s."
"Oh, I guess girls have to take their
chances like-like every one else when
perately to her light tone She was
secretly dismayed, Oh. it had been a
mistake to let him drive her home
She must never do so again. Better TO
run the risk of offending him. Some
thing menacing about the powerful
pudgy hands graSping the Wheel
A change Of traffic signals prevented
his reply, though his black eyes plunged
meanngfully into her own before he
turned them ahead again.
The car shot across a crossing. Judy
found that she had grasped his over
coat sleeve in alarm. oh, that's the
wrong way! I live out on OFarrell,
We passed 1t back there. We should
have turned"
I'VE get out of the crowd quicker
this way" he said easily. Again the
sense of panic leaped within her.
Judy sat back against the cushions,
trying not to let him see how she
shrank from him. Her hands were
pressed tightly in her lap. The menace
Of the man was beating upon her.
Making her spirit faint.
Are you sure you know where I
hve?" she asked him again, hating
herself for the little shake in her voice.
Sure, 1 know. But look here. you
don't got to get there so quick, do
you? Why can't you an me go out
an have good time? l like pretty
girls. III show you a good time. I
amt cheap when like a girl"
One hand, going from the wheel to
rest for moment on her knee.
Judy stif1ed nervous scream. Anger
put sharp edge on her voice. No!
don't think you-you understand"
Sure. l understand plenty" he said
softly. Il like you. I guess We get on
pretty good when you get to know me.
We go out now an get acquainted, eh?
We go on an dance an have a little
drink. l got friend got a swell speak
easy. We get acquainted over a nice
little drink, eh?"
The job. The job was gone flung
over by the affronted anger and hatred
which rose like a flame in the girl
mo! How dare you think I would!
HoW--how dare you-"
An ugly smile on Pete Constantine's
fat face. A menacing smile. oh
maybe you think I'm not good enough
for you, eh? Maybe you think you
fool me? Well, you amt foolin' no
body. I got your number, baby. An
there's lots O. swell girls would Like me
to take 'em out for nice little drink.
Swell girls. Maybe if you wanta keep
your job you better be nice to me, eh?
can be nice to people when they're
nice to me. Now, you be nice sensible
girl an We get on"
He stepped on the gas and the car
shot ahead quicker In his own mind,
Pete Constantine was sure of his
ground. This girl-with her expensive
fur coat in his fifth-rate restaurant,
was only "stalling." Holding herself
up at a price. He was used to bar
gaining, was Pete. Used to calling
bluffs. A wise baby, this. But he was
wise, too. Knock the nonsense out of
their heads at the beginning. Save
money later.
He cursed as he had to slow for a
traffic whistle, then sWooped forward
as Judy tried frantically to open the
door of the car. Not wise move, for
it called the attention of the traffic
officer to them.
"Hey, you, get back there! Get back
there. Where do you think, you're
goin' in such a hurry!" The policeman
descended upon them, red wrath glow
ering in his big Irish face.
Pete cursed under his breath and
backed the car. Honest to,
didn't hear the signal, officer" he said
abjectly.
IF you're deef you amt got no busi-
ness drivin' a car Them other ma
chimes heard me all right An what
does the young lady think she's do
IMP"
Judy was swinging the door open
almost falling from the car. II want
to walk"
Hey, listen, baby" Pete Con-
s.antine made a grab for her.
A shrill blast of the traffic whistle,
as judy ran to the sidewalk. "G'Wan-
get goin'! Get goin'! Yer holdin' up
traffic! Fer two pins Id run you
She was free Walking so swiftly it
was almost running Losing herself in
the blessed impersonality of the crowd
Free. Shivering with anger and in
dignation. Catching glimpses of her
self in passing shop mirrorS-cheeks
crimson, eyes black with excitement
Her heart was pounding. Shed lost
her Job of course but for the moment
that didn't matter. Shed got out OF
her knee. ugh! A feeling of being de-
filed. Men. she hated them! Hated
them all. Creatures of prey The
female animal being stalked by the
| male.
Her Job! And she needed it so des-
| perately now. Never mind. Shed
| found one. She could find another!
Borne along by excitement and the
thrill of danger past. So that she was
| not aware of being tired. Not aware
of the long walk back to the dingy
room on O'Farrell street.
But once she had entered the ole