Evening star., 1933-08-20
By JAMES STEVENS

= In the mirror he caught the re-
Election OF ti0o men. They e1-
changed ,cords he could not hear
as they scosrled at Patsy Martin and Rick
hunched orer a cup of coffee as though
he mere waiting for a deal in a stud
poker hand.
THE girl paused, shivering. Rick Powell
watched the clock Three minutes and
some seconds to go. All light seemed to vanish
from his eyes in a stonily bleak expression.
His gaze shifted to the sheet Of nypaper near
his right arm. His mouth twisted in wintry
smile as he listened to the girl
Patsy Martin was speaking again. shrill Of
hysteria rising in her tense whisper.
Il hid out in Gary with my aunt-her man
was out of work-spent all I'd saved, but I
felt safe-until yesterday"
STEADY. trouper," cautioned Rick putting
. reassuring hand on her arm.
"Okay.' Patsy forced calmness into her
voice Yesterday there was call on neigh
bor's phone. from Pogey Smarns. I was to
come back to Chicago today, or else
"Pogey said I was in the mob now, so he'd
know I wouldn't squeal, was through I
made getaway, but Pogey had cleaned out
my purse It's no use big fella. I am
through
We're maxim that train" said Rick
grimly.
The Gary express whistled. changed and rat
tied into the glow of platform lights then
screeched to stop. Passengers surged for the
opening car doors. Ric.: drew Patsy into the
midst of the human wave. His right hand was
showed inside his coat. the crowd concealing
its position from Pogey Sr1arns and Weeps
karone
The two hoodums were bearing toward the
car for which Patsy Martin and her farmer
looking escort were heading Peggy being al
ready on the platform was the first to close
up. Rick liked that plenty He stared dunbly
as the swarthy hoodlum leered at Patsy then
he pushed between the two.
"Scram. Hoosier scram' warned Pogey
Smarns, in a mutter from the SCARED corner
Of his mouth. Don't be silly
Rick Powell moved, lunging for Pogey Smarns
as Though he were heaving from the saddle to
bulldog steer. His right hand caught the
hoodlums as it darted for a shoulder holster,
caught it with the sheet of fypaper.
The trick faxed Pogey Smarns. For a one
count his snaky eyes popped at his gummed
hand That was time enough for Rick to swing
fist like oak maui at the hoodlum's fabby
middle meaty thud, and Pogey Smarns
buckled to the platform.
The oregon bulldogger dove with him Two
smashes on the jaw, and the big hoodlum went
entirely limp. Showing up to his hands and
knees, Rick saw pair Of purple spats nearby.
Wheeling in crow-hop on his hands and
knees, Rick lunged headlong for that pair of
purple spats. His hooking paws grabbed them
in the flash of an instant before a gunshot
reared The bullet harmleSsly plowed the plat
form planks as Weeps Marone went down.
Used to wrestling down a thousand p-Ilds
Of wild and rugged steer, hundred and some
pounds of hoodlum handled easy in Rick Pow
LII 1t H.
first. He WIS emphatically out
D lick heayed to his feet, a glance taking
things in. Two bulky figures IN blue uni
forms were heading in q run through the turn
stiles And the express-Rick smothered an
Indian yell of exultation as he saw 1t moving.
With his left arm the Oregon bulldogger
scooped up Patsy Martin and with his right
he grabbed for "a running swing to the rear
platform of the last car of the express. From
there they had q speeding glimpse of the sta
ton scene. The cops were going for the hood
lums
Caught fat with guns breathed Patsy.
They'll do six months at Bridewell, anyhow
but the cops will want us for information. and
the gang will get Us later. You'll never see
Oregon, big fella."
Rick Powell laughed The bleakness was out
Of his eyes. His bulldoggers arm still held
Patsy Martin. He knew things by lunches
BY just such a grip Of feeling Rick Powell
knew now that he'd found q gypsy mate for
a rodeo man, trouper who would stick BY
even in the smoke OF lead.
Listen, little fella,'' laughed Rick Powell
you have to think fast The train Is slowin
to step. 1 gotta aunt in. Peory. I gotta
car parked of Cermak road What's the word.
Patsy Martini"
The brakes were grinding Peering from the
shadows of the cars back platform. Patsy saw
q clear way from the next station. She did
think fast, but it didn't take much thinking.
In 40 minutes a man-wise girl could learn
lot about somebody like Rick Powell
Things lust whirled in Patsys head. Words