Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-06-29

Chapter z
ttT ISTEN, grille" Lucci went on
IL in a gush of words which tum-
bled rom his lips in a torrent that she
was too weary to dam, Il seen lots
of women in my day, but never give
a thot to marrying one of them.
You're different. There's something
there's a lot about you amt wise
to, but | DO know that you're my
woman and I'm here to say that I'll
bump off every guy who don't believe
it. This Limpy's got a good head on
him and he has bossed a swell racket,
but he amt no better than the next
guy when he's looking into the hot
end Of a gat. see?"
"Mr. Lucci," she faltered at last,
IT know that you have paid me a
very great honor. But before | answer
you, / want you to promise me that
you will not kill Ashwood."
''Why?" His voice was restrained,
but vibrant with jealousy. ID you
love him."
Heavens not" She laughed short
ly. but I am so sure that he Will not
carry me away that there is no need
of bloodshed."
He bumped off my two torpedoes
in Chi. I'd have him bumped off be-
fore long anyway" he m ner.
the ethics of gang warfare. But l
do not want him killed. Do you
agree?" 49,
he said, after a brief pause. ri
agree not to smoke him off while
we're on this island If he doesn't so
after me first or II he doesn't get In
my way while I'm trying to lam Is
hat an even break?'
II So" she agreed YEARLY.
Now as to the rest. I'm going to tell
you just what / told Ashwood a few
moments ago. / don't love you and
won't marry YOU. If you take me
away, I'll kill myself at the very
first opportunity"
She heard his teeth click together.
He was fighting hard for self control.
yeah? Now femme tell you some
thin" he said harshly. What you
told Limpy don't interest me non
You could have told him you'd marry
him day after tomorrow and all I'd
give would be a laugh, see? I'd smoke
him off before he could drag his leg
half way cross the room to where
you was stand1n'."
He pushed his swarthy face close
to hers. His eyes were as hard and
80, l amt good enough for you
Ell? he demanded mockingly. 81 sup
pose maybe my racket amt high class
enough for you. Well, listen, grille
you're going to marry me whetheI
you like it or not
With hat he turned abruptly and
marched into the house. The screen
door slammed. The girl covered her
face with her hands and wept.
Jerry, every muscle rigid, leaped
out of bed. The inhuman scream
thai had walked him was dying out
in a ghastly bubbling vail whose over
tones echoed and reechoed thru the
darkened house. For an instant there
was an utter silence, more horrible
than the grisly sound which had pre-
He reached his door in the space
of a dozen heartbeats. The corridor
~reverberAted with the sound Of turn
ing knobs and opening doors. There
was the slapping shuttle of bare feet
the noisy stamp of heavy shoes. Thal
night light which usually glowed al
the end Of the hall had been ex
tinquished. the faint CLEAN of an ap-
preaching flashlight gave everything
an eerie appearance.
stand stil!' A cold, concise voice
snapped thru the hall. Il shoot al
the first football"
The shuffling of bare feet ceased
abruptly. A heavy silence fell again,
relieved only by the sound OF heavy
breathing and the rapid tread OF
heavy boots approaching from the
direction of the living room.
rs that you. Mueller?' 1t was Ash
woc1's voice, crisp and metallic.
yes sir
Hurry and bring me hat flash.
light"
The white beam progressed thru
the hall until, at last, it became sta
tionary.
Thanks, Now see what's the mat.
ter with that night light. The res
of you, please, stand right where yol
are. Turn around to face me"
The dazzling finger of light, point.
ing down the hall suddenly silhou
cited the short, overstout figure 0
the detective, fully clothed, but II
his stocking feet. Stevens blinked IL
the glare of the light but his fac'
was mild and inquiring. The search.
light swivelled to the man standing
next to him. 1t was Emory, in trous
ers and singlet, his eyes glittering
his mouth firm and fearless. Tit
light fingered but an instant, thei
darted to Hamilton, half-dressed dis
hevelled, his face a study in fright ant
bewilderment. Jerry's turn came next
His dark eyebrows were set in I
scowI but his lips were set In a half
smile. Ii was their custom in moments
of stress. His 1.-THE body leaned slight
IN forward as tho ready to leap int
instant action. The searchlight swunt
to Mallory, leaning against the wall
The night light flickered on as TN
man Mueller screwed the bulb int
its socket. The others stood revealed
in the p~itiless glare of the electricity
Iuccf. standing IN the middle Of thu
hall. his hot black eyes darting from
ne TO another. His coarse black nan
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