The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-08
by Nard Jones

the steps and throw her into the
water.
THE young lady is ill.," Payson
said to the operator of the water
taxi. Shove off, quickly"
But just as the man was about to
cast off the line there was a shout
from above The croupier was lean
ing over the rail, his hand to his
jaw. Hold it," he yelled.
The man in the boat hesitated,
looked at Payson. His hesitation
was his undoing. In the next Sec
ond he was in the water thrashing
frantically toward a nearby taxi
boat-while his own boat leaped into
the darkness with Payson at the
wheel.
VXTHEN he was certain they we're
w not being followed, Payson
dropped YEARLY beside Julia and
throttled down the speedboat. THAT
might have been bad he said.
Might have been?" breathed Jul
liza. ut was quite bad enough for
me-"
PaySon nodded. probably / was
a fool to expose you to the danger.
1 could have gone back and played
but somehow 1 don't like being
ordered around like that"
What do you think they would
have done?' asked Julia.
TITS mostly bluff. The fellow could
force me back to the table, and I'd
have no redress-at law or anywhere
else. But there's always a chance
that somebody may forget himself
and pull gun or knife. You hear
some queer tales about the gambling
ships . people not coming back,
you know"
Julia laughed shakily. "One thing
certain, I'm not going back to the
ship"
You see now what 1 meant?"
"Latta seemed $3.50 nice"
Payson nodded. Eyes, rs long as
everything is his way. Latta's nice.
But he's king on that tub-and he
doesn't like his subjects to get out
of hand"
Amy was still up when Payson
brought the diSheveled and trem-
bling Julia to the apartment.
What on earth has happened?"
Amy wanted to know, flying excit-
edly to Julia.
There was a little trouble on
the gambling ship" Payson ex-
planned. Better get her to bed i'm
mediately. I'll telephone in the
morning and see how she is"
Strengthened by cup of Amy's
excellent coffee, and prone on the
davenport, Julia told Amy the story.
And you say that the handsome
fellow who brought you home is
Tom Payson?"
Julia nodded "Why?"
Il knew I'd seen his face in the
rotogravure. Julia, he has more
money than you could stack in
this rooml' But Amy managed to
overcome her awe to ask, You're
certainly not going back to Lattas
ship?"
JULIA shook her head. mo
- We naQ enough.
Enough of being a night club
singer. too?"
NO" said Julia firmly. I'll
think Tom is going to get me
chance in town.
"That'll be a relief" sighed Amy
This business of having a sea-
going roommate is hard on the
nerves! BY the way. think
you can go back to Woodford and
Brooks if you want"
I'm not interested in that. But
what makes you say SOP"
"Woodford telephoned this eve
ming. He wants to see you at his
office. He said it was very impor-
tant.
Il wonder what he wants?" said
Julia slowly.
Il don't know. But he sounded
as If it were pretty urgent. I'd
go see him if were you"
JULIA was silent a moment.
y Then: "Amy-Amy, I'm going to
tell you something that perhaps
should have told YOU a long time
ago. Royal Nesbitt was on the
Wood .Nymph when we went to
Evergreen Island"
Why didn't you tell me?"
"He-he was with Cintra Lee, and
1 didn't know how you'd take it.
She's in love with him."
Amy returned Julia's gaze fondly.
"A lot of girls are in love with Mes
bitt. Julia. And he gives them all
whirl. I've always known that.
In fact, he likes to tell me all about