The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-07-11
CHAPTER g.
A DEATH SHREK

Listen, girlie," Lucci went on in a gush of words which tum- bled from his lips in a torrent that she was too weary to dam. q seen lots of women in my day, but I never give a thought to mar rying one of them. You're differ ent. There's something there's lot about you I aint wise to, but I do know that you're my wo- man and I'm here to say that I'll bump off every guy who don't be- lieve it. This Limpy's got a good head on him and he has bossed swell racket, but he ain't no bet ter than the next guy when he's looking into the but end of a gat, see!"
 Nancy felt as though her heart were in steel vice, the screws of which were being relentlessly turned by unseen devils. She won- dered, vaguely, if it would not ease her ache and smooth out many of the difficulties here or the island were she to throw her self into the placid, silvery Gulf and sink quietly into the cool shimmering depths. But her weary soul rejected the thought of suicide
 impatiently. Weary she was, bu' too healthy of mind and body.
 But Lucci was standing by her
 waiting confidently for her an
 swer. She must find a way to re-
 fuse him which would not turr
 him beserk. She must choos' words which would prevent murder
 this night. Although she knew tha
 she, herself, might kill Ashwoot were he to carry out his threat
 she could not bear the thought O
 this gangster murdering him forth
 with.
 MT. Lucci,' she faltered at last q know that you have paid m'
 very great honor. But before answer you, want you to prom ise me that you will not kill Ash wood"
 "Why?" His voice was restrain ed, but vibrant with jealousy, "D' you love him?"
 Heavens, no. She laughed short ly. But I am so sure that h will not carry me away that ther is no need of bloodshed."
 He bumped off my two torped
 oes in Chi. I'd have bumped hir
 off before long, anyway" he re
 minded her.
 Perhaps. I'm in no mood argue the ethics of gang warfar' o But I do not want him killed. ID '. you agree?"
 '' "Ill go part of the way wit T, you," he said, after a brief paus = "IIl agree not to smoke him o. - while we're on this island if T. :. doesn't go after me first or = = he doesn't get in my way whi t I'm trying to lam. Is that a ', even break?"
 .s ~ "I suppose so," she agreed wes =, rify. Nov as to the rest, T. !, going to tell you just what I to- " Ashwood a few moments ago.
 don't love you and won't mar 10 you. If you take me away, l m kill myself at the very first ol ,e portunity."
 at She heard his teeth click t g. gether. He was fighting hard f 'n self control.
 n. "Yeah?" Now femme tell " Id somethin'," he said harshly. "Wh ly you told Limpy don't interest T C. none. You could of told him you
 marry him day after tomorrow al as all I'd give would be laugh, se' If I'd smoke him off before he cou st, drag his leg half way cross | 'of room to where you was standir les He pushed his swarthy face clC I'd to hers. His eyes were as ha
 and bright as polished shoe bl od tons.
 Int 50, I ain't good enough for y is- eh?" he demanded mockingly. ms suppose maybe my rackets ai Ire high class enough for you. w ng listen, girlie, you're going to ma lat me whether you like 1t or not. me With that he turned abrup
 and marched into the house.
 screen door slammed. The to covered her face with her hal an' and wept.
 en: Jerry, every muscle rigid, leal e."
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