Evening star., 1941-04-13

saying IN MS SLOW QTdWl. 1Ou WOulun WdllL
that girl of yours to know, would you, Steve?
Because /" then stopping and smiling
bleakly. You knew he meant it. You knew
he'd tip off Lou if you made a squawk.
OK you said. ok, joe But you
knew you'd get even with him. You began to
plan it. No, Henry wouldn't even tell Lou.
Even if he knew you'd killed Joe.
Lou doesn't suspect thing. Not yet.
Compared with girls you We known she's a
dewy-eyed innocent. But the kind of girl
who'll take a chance for the man she loves.
You'll break it to her gradual. She'll learn.
She'll need to. South America is long piece
from home. You can't walk back.
You walk block along from the drugstore
where you telephoned her and hail a taxi.
You don't want to think about Joe lying there
with that surprised look on his face. You just
want to think of Lou. You keep seeing her as
you did that first time. with the lights of
the Lower Price Basement shining on her
gold bronze hair. Can interest you in
something" Sure, she could interest you,
with figure like hers, and her long lashes,
and her little-girl mouth just made to be
kissed. But you've got to go easy with her.
She's that kind. It's going to be fun teaching
Lou. And South America is a long piece from
home.
A couple of blocks short of your place,
you pay off the taxi. Trust these fellows to
add up two-and-two; they've been about.
No good taking chances. It's the little things
sometimes that put crimp in perfect plan.
You itch to take it on the run, but you keep
cool and walk slowly along, and let yourself
in the outer door of your own apartment
building
You then step in the lift with man who
comes behind you. You nod to him because
he lives on the third floor and he says isn't
it nice weather, and you agree it is. It's good
flying weather you think, and you wish you
were in plane with Lou beside you, a bit
frightened bit shy, her long lashes playing
tricks with your heart. She's nice kid, Lou;
and with the right kind of connections
none at all. All on her own. Nobody'll II ask any
questions about Lou. Except maybe the land
lady at her boarding house, who'd made a
fuss about Lou staying out so late, and that
used to go about with.
I OU get off at the fourth, and walk along
to your own door and let yourself in. You
take look at Henry, and close the door with
bang, Something has happened to Henry.
Something big has happened to him.
'Stevie." he says, Il guess you got one
friend when you got me. Even if you're not
taking me with you this time, Stevie, don't
hold that against you. I'm your friend, amt |,
Steve?"
Whats happened" You've got to talk
sharp to Henry sometimes
slow as people think | am, am |, Stevie?
Because knew they was cops right off,
knew they was cops"
''Cops?" You rap the word out You push
your hat back; your forehead is all damp.
They said they'd be back later, the cops
said they would, Stevie"
You push past him. You've got to grab
that money fast and get away. You know
where you've parked all those crisp bills
you've split with Joe and you go there and
kneel down and put your hand in to get them,
and then you turn slowly and face Henry.
Henrys face is all lit up. He can see you're
worried but he knows it's all right You're
worried because if that money was missing,
thered be no airport, no South America, no
Lou -. and you can't run far from the cops