The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1934-11-10

l
found few women in proportion
to the men. Men-rat-faced,
hatchet-faced men. Square-jawed
men, slack-chinned men, pale
men, rudy men, dark men, bull
necked men, scrawny men, funny
looking men, tough-looking men,
ordinary men-sitting two to a
table, four to table, more COM
ing inland damned few women.
Menacing
These men talked to one an
other, as If they weren't much
interested in what they were say.
ing. They looked casually around
the joint, with eyes that were
blankest when they came to
OTeary. And always those cas-
ual-bored-glances did rest on
OLeary for a second or two.
I returned my attention to
OLeary and Nancy Regan. He
was sitting little more erect in
his chair than he had been, but
it was an easy, supple erectness,
and though his shoulders had
hunched bit, there was no stiff
ness in them. She said some
thing to him. He laughed, turn
ing his face toward the center
of the room, so that he seemed
to be laughing not only at what
she had said, but also at these
men who sat around him, wait
ing. It was a hearty laugh,
young and careless.
The girl looked surprised for a
moment, as if something in the
laugh puzzled her, then she went
on with whatever she was telling
him. She didn't know she was
sitting on dynamite, I decided.
OLeary knew. Every inch OF him,
every gesture, said, I'm big,
strong, young, tough and red
headed. When you boys want to
do your stuff I'll be here"
Time slid by. Few couples
danced. Jean Larrouy went
around with dark worry IN ms
round face. His Joint was tull
of customers, but he would rather
have it empty.
BY II o'clock stood up and
beckoned to Jack Coun1han. he
came over, we shook hands, ex.
changed how's everythings and
getting muches, and he sat at
my table.
what is happening?" he asked
under cover of the orchestras
din. IT can't see anything nut
there is something in the air. Or
am being hysterical"
"You will be presently. me
wolves are gathering, and Reo
OLeary's the lamb. You coulo
pick a tenderer one If you had a
free hand, maybe. But these
bimbos once helped pluck bank,
and when payday came tnere
wasn't anything in their envel'
opes, not even any envelopes
The word got out that maybe
Red knew how.come. Hence tnlS.
They're waiting now-mayoe LOT
somebody-maybe till they get
enough hooch in them" ,
And we sit here because IT'S
the nearest table to the target
for all these fellows bullets
when the blooming lid blows
OFF," Jack inquired. Lets move
over to Reds table. It's still
nearer, and I rather like the ap,
nearance Of the girl with him. 3"
A Rub Out
Don't be impatient, you'll have
your fun" I promised him
"There's no sense in having this
O'Leary killed. If they bargain
with him in a gentlemanly way,
we'll lay off. But If they start
heaving things at him, you ana
I are going to pry him and his
girl friend loose"
well spoken, my hearty" He
grinned, whitening around tne
mouth. "Are there any details, or
do we Just simply and unosten'
tatiously pry 'em loose"
"see the door behind me, to
the right? When the pop-oft
comes, I'm going back here and
open it up. You hold the line
midway between. When I yelp,
you give Red whatever help he
needs to get back there"
AYE, aye!" He looked around
the room at the assembled plug.
uglieS, moistened his lips, and
looked at the hand holding his
cigarette, o quivering hand. Il
hope you won't think I'm in a
funk" he said. But I'm not an
antique murderer HE you. j