The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-01-31

BILE was that recklesSneSS might
overcome caution and strategy and,
dead or wounded, he would be even
less use to Kay than he had been.
What he feared was that he would
rush the kid next time he came in,
getting at least one smack at that
pale, angelic face before the guns
started to talk. His hate had to
have q concrete object and the kid
was becoming just that.
Pete heard . knob turn, . lock
click; then slow, soft, steps. That
would be the kid, coming to visit
him, for what reason no one seemed
to know. Certainly there was MOTH
ing in this stuffy little bedroom that
could be used to defeat their pur.
poses, unless the sheets as . rope to
hang ones self, and even so, where
could it be fastened, and why should
they care? There was no furniture
but the bed, there was no way Of
getting out unless by breaking the
window, and even then it would be
q long drop into . cement-paved
court. Most of the time the door was
kept locked and what lay beyond it
was q mystery to Pete.
The door lock clicked, the knob
turned and the kid came in to take
his vigil on the window sill. Pete
sat up on the bed and rubbed his
face. His fingers encountered the
stubble Of . neglected beard. He
must look just swell, not having had
his clothes off in three days, he
thought. Three days? Two days?
Or four? How long had they had
him? He smiled grimly to himself
at the thought that he might be 60.
ing just little "squirrelly." It Ill
fitted in with his desire to toss the
lily-faced kid around . little.
Well, the kid came in. No ex.
preston, as usual: just the soft
liquid eyes, like a Calls, the easy,
quiet walk. He went over and sat
gingerly as usual on the window
sill, stopping, as usual, to give it q
flick Of dust with = large white silk
handkerchief.
The mere sight Of him made PetA
begin to feel perverse.
why do you come before break
fast?" he asked.
The youth was long time answer
ing. That, too, was as usual. Pom.
dering the kids habits when Pex
first had seen him, he wondered II
it wasn't because he was trying 70
decide whether it would take mors
energy to put . slug through you
than answer your questions. Yet
always his face was as beatific a
II he were an altar boy during high
mass.
Finally the kid said: "Why?"
His voice was thin, uncertain.
NOT at all the smooth instrument
one would expect in such . silken.
creature.
because ! could eat better TT
didn't see you first" Pete said with
. cool pleasantness, . saccharine
The boys long lashes fell; rose.
he made no sound. no further
II suppose you muggs have got
what you were AFTER" Pete su9-
gested. "You did, didn't you3 You
got the girl, didn't you?"
Another of the kids pauses, nm.
til he said: 1T don't matter TO
you. You want to know too much"
Il do, do /? Well, all I want to
know is how long I'm going to have
to camp in this louse-infested dive.
& you've got the girl. what are you
This time the boy answered
promptly:
Il don't lmow!"
That was all Pete needed to know.
Accidentally he had come upon the
stratagem that told him his answer.
They did have Kay. That being
the case, there was nothing he could
DO here without needless risk 70
But he gave no sign Of
having understood.
Pete remarked sullenly: lyon
don't need to get sore. The least
vou can do is answer . fellows
questions. only asked you II you'd
got the girl. Naturally, / want TO
know that. For one thing, she was
ny girl for . while, and for another,
do want to get out Of this DUMP;
But evidently the kid had real.
lzed his slip and was making no
more Of them. Talking, obviously.
wasn't one Of his accomplishments
y pleasures. and he knew it only
100 well.
Ito Be Continued)
cepyI1enk 1874. Klne Daafnne aynA,enAa -