Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-02-12

of the doorway. you've told me that
same thing three times already" =,
desperately. "Will five bucks make
you feel any happier tonight?"
ut win leave thirty-five owing" said
Mrs. Corbett, taking the five-oollar
bill. you've got sweet little wife,
Mr.. Hyde-but I've got myself to think
yeah" said Benny. escaping up the
stsls tonighf for oorpnns viii i0y your
I'm eatin' out"
Corrinne was eager. who was it,
Benny?"
Friend of NINE" Benny lied. grim
ming Hes gonna try an get me a
lob. I'm eatin' out with him tonight.
I paid the Dragon five bucks. You
draw an extra ration of steak tonight.
TIN put hair on your chin"
"Bennyl And then what would you
"Get you a Job as the bearded Lady,"
Benny chuckled. kiss me. I'm on
my way"
Corrinne was eager. Gee, Benny, I
hope you make It'll can hardly wait +"
Benny scowled from the doorway.
eff you amt asleep when get back,
I won't come in"
Benny dined on beer and a ham
burger, and had forty-five cents LEFT.
He walked aimleSsly, trying to stop
thinking what four thousand one-dol-
lar bills would look like. And how
Corrinne would look if he showered
them on her bed
-Four grandl An hours work. Bet
ter than odds it would be safe money.
But-slppose it wasn't? Something
caught in Benny'S throat as he tnougnt
of being sent away for another Stretcn.
It would finish Corrinne. And WITHOUT
Corrinne Benny Hyde would be I'M
ished.
A6avbe. Benny thought miserably,
they were both finished anyway. To-
morrow was coming up with forty-five
cents to last them. He'd LED about
this evening so Corrinne wouldn't see
him thinking about the four grand
they wouldn't have. No use even tell
ING Corrinne. 1t would put terror In
her eyes and cause her to worry.
And there was Sam Turnstall, COM
ing out of Minsky's Grill, chewing on
a toothpick, looking placid aIter
good dinner.
Hello, Benny"
Hello, Sam"
sam beckoned q taxi to the curb,
ever get hold of Harry DanielS?'
Sam asked casually. I saw him rlgnt
after you left me. He said he tnougnt
he was poison to you, but he'd look
for YOU, Asked how you seemed TO De
1oin1, like he was interested in you.
DO yourself any good with him,
Benny?"
sNope," Benny denied. He was sud
denly alert. "Sam, are you sure harry
wanted to know about me2
aim telling YOU, amt I? SO Ions"
PENNY stood still after the taxi lett.
Daniels had acted surprised 70 see MN
back there under the track grano-
stand. And a few minutes before mat
meeting Daniels had been asking queS-
ions about him. When Harry Daniels
nut on an act like that, something was
wrong.
Benny walked for half an hour, try
ng to get the answer. Finally ne
,IIrned into a cigar store and teie-
ohoned the Vendome Hotel. Daggett
VIZ af,v 1s'- changed my mind" Benny told
i'm. "Pick me up at Seventh ana
Main. And come alone; 80
sOkay, Pail" cried Daggett glaoIy'
stay right there. I'm on my way
ust me alone, see?"
The threatening rain began 70 driz-
lie lust before midnight. A heater kept
1aGpett's big sedan warm and coy as
( waited beside the road. Tney were
,ixtv-five miles down the highway.
sThe trackn be glue tomorrow" SAID
with satisfaction This Hlgn
onesone you're going to change is a
Md hound. It's in the bag, Pal, It's
n the bag. The truckers called 10
rom the road. We had EN- put High
lonesome in that dope Samsons van;
Minutes later Benny peered through
he windshield.
SAirlt that truck lights coming2"
Daqgett switched on the headlights
nd glanced at his wrist watch Right
"a time. Pal, If it's them"
Headlights cleaned on the wet road |
surface. Green body lights outlined a ]
owering truck body. The hgnt-span-
led bulk bore down on them slowly :
nd stopped. Half a mile back an
ltfer pair Of headlights were visible. (
- 80 -. --~4 sfK. = eam~1s4s.uS.4 A.,