Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-07-06
Chapter %
BRASS


BRASS kNUCkLES?
EVEN as Jerry drew his right hand
IL back for a punch, Steve stepped
forward and, bending slightly to the
left, tripped the charging gangster,
who lunged forward, fingers clawing
desperately toward the pilot.
At the same instant Jerry threw
the full weight of his powerful body
into a terrific upercut. 1t was a
masterpiece of timing, smashing full
upward to the point of Lucci's chin
Lucci's head snapped back. He con-
tinued his precipitate fall to the floor
and hit with a crash that caused the
windows to rattle in their frames. He
lay there, utterly limp, where he had
fallen.
Jerry swung around hastily to face
Ashwood. The cripple's right han
held the blue steel butt of an auto
matte which was outlined against the
cream-colored fabric of the pongee
suit. His eyes were fixed, almost in
credulously, upo the massive, inert
bulk of the gangster.
Great Caesar!" he breathed, Tets
see your brass ~knuckles, Captain Cal
houn."
"Dca't use Them retorted Jerry,
CURLY.
AS suddenly as it had begun, the
tension in the quiet room snapped.
AshwooGs. laugh was almost gay as
he showed the automatic into its arm
pit holster. Yet there was a cutting
edge to his laughter which made
Stevens and Emory glance sharply
at lin. The natural color had flowed
back into his cheeks but there was an
odd twist to his lips which belied
the merry laughter.
My congratulations" He bowed.
How careless of me not to have
noted the budding And how
tactful of me to have supplied the
minister" 1t occurred to Jerry that
adjusting his mind to the altered
circumstances. "IIl confess that 1t
has taken me quite by surprise. Miss
Went-pardon, Mrs. Calhoun, would
it quite shatter your young heart to
be forced to leave your bridegroom
tomorrow?
ut wouldl" snapped Nancy.
Except for a slightly heightened
color in her lovely cheeks, Nancy
might have been a conventional bride
accepting her first congratulations.
Jerry, close by her side, stared
truculently at Ashwood, ready to pre-
cipitate immediate hostilities if the
cripple turned on to be a poor loser.
Emory looked at Nancy, winked open
~ at Jerry, then stepped into the
breach. Turning to Ashwood he sug-
gesteG impudently:
well, old timer, how about setting
the bridal party up to the drinks?'
The thotful expression faded from
the cripple's eyes.
Excellent" he agreed, clapping his
hands. The steward appeared instant
ly. alfred, have we any champagne
left in the bins?" The Steward nod
6ed. Good. Serve it, please"
There was a groan from he limp
form on the floor. Lucci stirred I'M
then sat up.
What no." beamed Ashwood, re-
garding him in feigned establishment.
Are you with us again, O~ne-shot?'
was it you that slugged me 7"
maglignant eyes glared a.
mo, old timer. but I wish l had.
Someone beat me to it,"
smiling politely. MAY / help you up?
If it happens that you aren't salts
fled. get on your feet. I'll try to pol
ssh you off, this time"
Lucci rose painfully, faced Jerry
ana doubled his fists. He swayed on
feet and nearly fell. His opponent
watched him with growing admira-
you have plenty of. spunk," he
said. LET me put you to bed for a
Then, if you like, you car
out here and take a fall out
If me-"
'TIi put him in the sheets" offered
Emory. you stay here"
The bright flare of animos1ty IN the
hard brown eyes faded and as Emory
his STURDY arm about the gang
3ter's shoulders. Lucci permitted him
self to be led from the room
The minister, who had watched the
he conflict with pale face and wide
open eyes, walked unsteadily to the
nearest chair and fell into 1t.
Il am nearly fifty years of age,
announced profoundly, "and never
N my life have | witnessed such
@Parson, stick around" grinned
Terry. TITS my opinion that you are
in right at the beginning We're just
warming up for some real fights.
DR.. Titherington famed himself
with a newspaper. The lanky Boston
err returned just as the steward brot
In the buckets Of ice from which pro-
the necks Of several cham
payne bottles.
Il would be almost tempted to post
oonepone my retirement from this
profitable and diverting racketeering
4 / could persuade o and Battles
become my right-hand men,
mot sure | wouldn't take up your
,ffer. Ashie," retorted Emory. Il al
most dread the end Of this party"
you should be ashamed of your
Ielf!' suddenly doomed DR.. Tither-
ngton. In a voice which almost shook
he goblet from Emory's hand. I'm
.gine. A young man of breeding and
even considering casting his
Of with these %persons!
-. an.srrhf a uhAynn6Fq ANA |
nd collapsed, flushing.
You were saying" The cripple's
were arched in polite In
errogation.
yeah, we all know what he was
,oinv III say." Stevens came to the
mans rescue. Hes right,
90. Lot of comfort you're going 10
Q to yourself In your old age Limpy.
= old Az you'll ever get, right now.
Dear. dear. BanQuo at the fe@sti
Why be 20 p~cmsimistic when wo were