The tribune independent of Michigan., 1935-05-11

ho4tu.
Probably the same as they did
to Blake and Moore" was the reply
Helen. bent over her typewriter,
heard these words.
For days after learning of Kent's
and Madge's romance, Helen had
seemed like person in a dream.
The cold certainty OF knowing
Kent was lost TO her was gall to
the boastful Helen. She looked up
as Madge came through the Office.
Madge went into the rest room.
She wanted to sob out her fears
but tried to hold herself In re-
straint.
The little black purse felt hea-
Wy as she laid Il ON the window
sill. The windows Of other nearby
offices were lighted. Girls were
covering their typewr1ters. chat
tering and laughing-white girls
race meant nothing to them, they
didn't know the sting OF racial
hatred.
Msdge opened her purse. her
hand closed around something cold
and hard. A trembling siezed he1
a. she pulled out tiny black
handled revolver. Three days agr
Kent had asked for her pocket
book She had handed Il TO him
with nip. Want 10 borrow my
lfpstick?"
Helen watched Madge an she
went into the wash room. She
glanced at the small gold watch
on her wrist. After five. I'm going
out for some coffee and then In
going home. l have an awful head
ache" she told Grace, who was
putting her things away.
Helen snatched of her smock.
Wait for me. Grace. I'll go your
way for company. My own socie,,
is too dull to endure alone"
Grace felt sorry for Helen, who
was always so gay. Since Kent.
engagement she had grown
moroee and sad.
| With her coat thrown over heI
shoulders. Helen ran across tn,
street to a small coffee shoppe. i
was a place that practised putting
up the color bar but Helen Otter
went in just for fun.
I love TO 30 where I'm not want
ed some time. Sort of sweet re
verge. They don't know they'r,
serving Negro every time the,
hand me a roll" she had laughing
ly told Grace several times.
She hurried into the shoppe an,
sat near an alcove. A pair Of hea
Ivy tan crash curtains hung AZ IN
door. Men were inside talking a
Helen sat down.
A trim little waitress Game Il
He7ens order.
"A slice OF fruit cake and
cup OF coffee" Helen told h,
absenf1y. She heard the men tall
: ing but she was so wrapped In h,
own gloomy thoughts. she paid n
attention to the low conversatio
going on behind the tan curtainl
Her mind was on Kent. Then sh
heard one OF the men say softI,
II think they got him. at ieas
they left the place quite a whil
ago for Coke Road. near Prospect
He went to DENLY and they intent
to meet him coming back The,
sAy this Marlin guy is fighting
fool. The news came out a Will,
ego that he jumped Manton ant
knocked him for daisy ring"
The waitress brought Helen heI
order. Helen threw down the mon,
ey. Her lips we're parch 81 and dry
and she was struggling desperate
ly TO keep from crying out.
They'll certainly put a rope
around his neck II they catch
him" said one OF the men.
"Oh don't think they will &c
that far" said the other.
Parker said they would. OF
course he promised Manton they
would only frighten him bit. but
Parker means business. Says
there's too many Negroes in this
town anyway"
Helen rose. She tried to act na-
tural but she knew " she didn't
leave the shop she would scream
AS she reached the door the wait
ress said. You weren't very hung.
ry."
I'm reducing" Helen laughed
jerkily, as she closed the door and
darted across the street unmino.
full of the heavy traffic.
"Oh, Kent" Then the thought
entered her mind. Madge would
never marry Madge must endure
the loss Of the man they both low
ed. Ashamed, she pushed the
thought from her mind. With a
sobbing cry she dashed into the
National office.
Helen" cried Grace, as she saw
her friends face white as death.
Kent" breath Helen. and fell
into chair. They have him trap
ped out on Coke Road near Pro-