The Omaha guide., 1932-09-17

Knowing this much, Linda felt
herself compelled to warn Fred
of his danger and to beg him to
give up the militant anti-night
club fight which he had been wag-
ing. Certainly she didn't want to
see him wiped out by the Aces
guns. Thinking it over now, she
realized, almost for the first time,
that there had been a warm spot
in her heart for Fred since her
childhood days. She couldn't bear
to see him the innocent victim of
a racketeer's jealousy.
When he act was over, she
changed hurriedly. Just as she was
about to Il We her dressing room,
however, Al Collins opened the
door. One look told Linda that
he had been drinking.
She cringed from him. IT wanna
see you a minute, baby" he inform
ed her.
Come again some other time,
AL" she begged. I'm in a hurry
L gotta 60"
AIS face twisted suddenly into a
fury Of rage.
so that's the way you treat al
pal, huhl" He swayed dizzily. Say
listen you: I'm your partner in this
little act; if it wasn't for me, there
wouldn't no act. And I'm telling
you this straight: You better keep
away from that stiff necked preach
er if you wanna live long"
"Since when did you start giving
orders?" Linda inquired coldly.
AIS attitude suffered a sudden
reverse. He lurched toward her and
tried to take her in his arms. Jaw,
honey" he cried. you know r
love you. You know I don't wan
ma see you hanging out with guys
ike that evangelist or whatever he
is
Linda struggled away from him.
who said I was hanging out with
Fred?" she cried. who said ri
was hanging out with anybody?I
Tonight's the first night I've seem
him since I was a kid, ten or
twelve years ago."
"You kissed him." Al flung ac-
cusingly.
He's my friend. He's the bestI
friend I've got. He's from my homel
town. Why shouldn't I kiss him i'll
I want to? Neither you nor the AceI
has any strings tied around me. II
can do what L want"
"All right, baby, it's your funeral, II
Al turned toward the door. Them
he turned; faced her again.
Listen, kid" he said Significant
ly, suppose I was to let you in on
a secret. Suppose I was to tell you'll
that this mug Fred is on the spot
right now. And when the Ace getsI
through, you'll never recognized
him"
But what's he done?" Lindal
gasped. She ran to Al and caught
him by the shoulders. whats bel
done that the Ace should put him
on the spot?"
Al laughed gruffly. ooh, he'sI
done plenty" he said. Hes takenl
half our regular customers, for one
thing, and he's got 'em all worked
up about fighting vice and sin inI
the night resorts around Harlem.
Why, man, if he turns that crowd
loose one night, they'll turn everyI
night club and cabaret in the ethyl
inside out. He's fghtin' us tooth
and nail. And we amt the kind
of guys that sit around and takel
it on the chin. Not u.s."
Linda thought quickly as Al leftl
the room. So they were takingl
Fred for a ride, huh? Well, she'd
see about that. Shed find Fred
now, while he was here in the club,
and warn him of his danger. And
she'd stick close to him for the restl
Of the night to protect him. She
knew that Al wouldn't shoot if there
was any chance of injuring her.
She hurried down from her
dressing Dom and into the cabaret.
She found Fred seated alone in
a booth for two, watching intent
ly as the crowd milled about him.
WELL" she greeted him. "How'sI
every little thing?"
Fred grinned. I'm learning FAST
he told her. Tomorrow I'll have al
real story to tell my congregation
I'll show them how these dens of