Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-11-08

The lady l came with-she can return
on the train"
"No. 1 have friends waiting. You
can go back to yours"
She didn't want Gaby to see Green,
her former employer. She didn't trust
Gaby at all. Gaby would likely try to
get even by telling her stepfather
that she'd gone out for whole day
with a man of whom he would so
heartily disapprove.
Nor could she retaliate by telling
him that Gaby had first been ciga-
rette girl and then singer in Green's
club! For not only had she-Jean-
been warned against going there, but
it would give the lie to her own story
of Gaby having come direct from
France to visit her!
Well, it was nice mix-up!
Green seemed curiously jittery
when she got back into his car.
"What do you mean by keeping a
guy waiting this long, huh?"
Her eyes widened. "Why l wasn't
more than fifteen minutes!"
She saw that his hands fumbling
to light cigarette were trembling.
He swung the car violently around
in the lane. They were off.
"Found your girl-friend with her
sweetie, huh?"
Jean said, distantly: "I'd rather not
talk about it, please" Having tracked
Gaby down, she regretted she had
used Green for any part of her pur-
pose.
Green countered with, "Say, if you
aren't nice to me, Gorgeous, darned
if I won't go to your Dad and tell
him what know about that dame my
self"
She turned pale. He would involve
her, as we'll?
Why, in the name of security, was
she taking chances with this man
who had earned the reputation of be-
ing dangerous? She was sure he
wouldn't even stick at blackmail! She'd
been crazy fool to come out with
| him!
They drove furiously fast for quite
! a time. Neither spoke.
Presently he said: "We're getting
near the road-house I spoke of. I
own a piece of it. Well have a bite
of dinner there. How's that?"
She knew she should demur. But
she was extremely hungry by now.
GAIL right. But we won't stay long.
I've got to get home"
It was dark when they reached the
small inn. To Jean it looked lonely
and sinister. 1t stood back from the
road little. Thick shades were drawn
down over the front and side win
dows. A single light burned over
side door.
But inside it was we'll lighted. In
back room, a number of men and
women were playing cards.
A big, white-haired, ruddy-cheeked
man greeted them. Jean was relieved
to see that he looked fatherly. He
was introduced to her by Green as
Frank.
She saw restaurant, cheaply furn-
ished, with a bar running along half
of one side. Against the other two
sides, in small booths, people were
dining.
"You don't want to be among that
crowd" Green told her. He turned to
the older man. "We'll eat in private,
upstairs"
ooh, no, please" Jean protested. 81
enjoy being among people. Let's dine
in the restaurant"
Green finally gave in with bad
grace. Jean was glad that a big,
pleasant-looking man like Frank
seemed to be the boss.
GAIL right. You go in and get ia
ble," Green told her. "Make it in a
booth. I'll be back in a couple of
shakes" He went upstairs.
Jean felt she would like a glass of
sherry after the disturbing events of
the late afternoon. Frank said he
would have a booth ready for her in
minute, so she went to the bar. There
were four or five people on the high
stools. She chose one toward the far
ther end, and ordered her sherry.
When it came, she found next to her
a blond, mild-appearing young man.
Despite his flashy clothes and boyish
build, he reminded her of Walter.
Green seemed to be taking his time
about whatever he was doing upstairs
She ordered a second small glass, and
as she was slipping it, the man beside