The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-22
CHAPTER FIVE


NTEN weren't giving away $40
WI bills n San Francisco in 1888.
AS Dorothy assured her afterward
it simply wasn't being done. Five
dollars was an exorbitant amount
TO bestow upon a dancing partner.
Only once to Treasures knowledge
had any Of them received that
much. Yet this strange Italian had
given her twice that much for only
enc dance.
He's probably made mistake"
she decided. Maybe he thought it
was a dollar"
She suggested this reluctantly be-
cause already the things that bill
could buy for her mother were
heaped III piles before her eyes, but
Rudolf Molinari laughed.
mo mistake, sweetheart! I knew
what I was giving you and I am
not drunk
In that case there certainly could
be no objection to her keeping it
but Treasure still felt guilty about
it. She knew she hadn't done any,
thing to warrant a tip like that
and she had an uncomfortable pre-
monition that her acceptance of it
might obligate her in the future.
Rudolf's velvety black eyes, his
full Tipped sensuous mouth, bright
ly red beneath dark mustache,
we're all attributes of one who
would not be denied.
Although infinitely more expert
enced and better bred there was
something in his manner which re-
minded her of Carlos but she was in
more awe of him than of the South
American. There was a ruthlesSneSs
about him which she suspected
would make him cruel to any one
who attempted to stand in his way.
She also feared Juanita. At the
moment however there seemed Moth
ing to do about it except hope that
his interest would prove temporary.
If he had so much money he would
have any number of other diversions
beside a poor little night club host
ess, reasoned Treasure.
On their way home that night she
confided the incident to Oliver.
Pete was telling us about it, -
Oliver said. ct seems he used to
have a crush on Juanita before he
went away. You know who he is,
don't you?"
II never heard of him before"
His father owned one of the
largest factories in San Francisco.
He's dead now"
He gave me $10," Treasure con-
fessed, eager to have divers opinion
Maybe I shouldn't have taken it. -
why not?"
Don't you think he may expect
lot in return?"
Let him." Oliver advised. That's
just to be his hard luck if he does. -
She had no more qualms then
and Immediately began to make
plans to go to the grocery where
Terry worked and lay in a supply
of special luxuries for her mother.
She doesn't eat enough to keep
bird alive" Treasure thought
running up the steps of her home
eager to tell Ellen of her good for
tune.
CHE opened the door to the sight
~ of Mike Mcclure seated n the
most comfortable chair before a
blazing gas CRATE. His shoes were
off; his stockinged feet propped
upon another chair. The remains of
meal-bacon and eggs and fried
potatoes-Were on the table. He was
smoking his pipe.
Treasure surveyed him with 81
lent Scorn. She neither spoke nor
moved until he shouted, Shut the
door! What's the matter with you
anyway? You look as if you were
seeing a ghost"
Treasure obeyed and started for
the bedroom.
Just a moment" he beloved
What do you mean sneaking in
after o'clock?"
The girls eyes blazed in her white,
defiant face.
II wasn't sneaking," she said in
her husky voice.
Don't talk back to me or big as
you are I'll thrash you," he threat
ened. 4.
Where is mother?" Treasure
asked apprehensively.
Where you should be at this time
of the night. In her bed. Now then
answer me, what have you been do
ing?"
Unconcealed contempt was in
her reply.
I've been supporting the fam
ily."
Her father, who prided himself
on his sense of humor, threw back
his head and laughed.
"Oh you have, have you? DOM
what?"
Dancing" the girl said briefly.
That's a likely story"
Its true" she flushed. you can
ask mother"
We'll that's fine them" Mike Nc
CURE retorted. Il can use a little
money right now. Give me your
pocketbook."
Instinctively her hands had gone
behind her back.
Give it to me-" he repeated,
numbering toward her in his thick
Stockinged feet.
She could have killed him as he