The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-07-18

/ ktA y kO " tic dl Is lIlll.
ok" They turned a corner and
walked TO the middle OF the block
TO the grill, and went in. An aG-
tomato photograph was playing.
They went to a rear table. Bigger
ordered two sloe gin fizzes. They
sat silent. looking at each other.
waiting. He saw Bessie's shoulders
jerking In rhythm to the music.
Would she help him? Well, he
would ask her: he would frame the
story so that she would not have
10 know everything. He knew that
he should have asked her 10 dance.
but the excitement that had hold OF
him would not let him. He was
feeling different tonight from eve,y
other night. he did not need TO
sing and clown over the floor in or
der 10 blot out day and night of
doing nothing. He was full Of ex-
element. The waitress brought the
drinks and Bessie lifted hers.
Here's TO you. even il you don't
want 10 talk and even If you is act
ing queer
Bessie, I'm worried"
"Aw. come on and drink she
said.
OK They slipped.
Bigger"
"Hunk?"
Cant help you In what you do
ing?'
Maybe
IL want to-
You trust me-"
II have so far"
Il mean now?'
Yes: II you tell me what to
trust you for?"
Maybe | can't do that"
Then you don't trust me-"
TITS got 10 be that way, Bessie "
III trusted you. would you tell
me?"
Maybe"
Don't say maybe. Bigger"
Listen, honey" he said, not lik-
ing the way he was talking 10 her.
but afraid OF telling her outright.
The reason I'm acting this way is
got something big on"
What"
It'll mean a lot OF money"
Il wish you'd either tell me or
quit talking about H."
They were silent: he saw Bes
sic drain her glass.
I'm ready to CO." she said.
Il want to get some sleep"
"You mad?"
Maybe He did not want her 10
be that way. How could he MAKE
her stay? How much could he tell
her? Could he make her trust him
without telling everything liz
suddenly ielL sue would come clos
er 10 him II he made her feel that
he Was IN danger. That's II. Make
her feel concerned about him.
Maybe III have 10 get out oil
town soon, he said.
THE police"
Maybe
What you do?'
I'm planning to do It now"
"But where you get that money!
Look. Bessie, ii | had TO leave
town and wanted dough. would YOU
help me II | split with your"
IF you took me with you, you
wouldn't have TO split
He was silent; he had not thought
OF Bessie's being with him. A NO.
man was a dangerous burden when
a man was running away. lie hal
read how men had been caught be.
cause OF women. He did not want
that 10 happen TO him. But. il, yes
but II he told her. yes. just enough
to get her 10 work with him?
OK he said, I'll say thi:
much; I'll take you II you help me.
you really mean that?"
Sure"
Then you going to tell me?"
Yes. he could dress the story up
Why even mention Jan? Why not
tell II so that II she were ever ques-
toned she would say the things be
wanted her TO say, things that
would help him? He lifted the glass
and drained the liquor and set II
down and leaned forward and toy.
ed with the cigarettes in his fingers
He spoke with bated breath. Lis.
ten, here's the dope. see? The ga
where I'm working. the daughter
OF the old man who's rich, a mil
lionaire, had done run of with q
Red, sect"
"Eloped?'
"Hunh?. Er Yeah; eloped.
with a Red?"
yeah: one OF them Communists.
"Oh! What's wrong with herr"
Jaw, she's crazy. Nobody dom
know she's gone. 80 last night
took the money from her roon
see?'
"Oh!"
"They don't know where she is. >
"But what you going to do?"
"They don't know where she II.
he said again.
what you meant" He sucked
his cigarettes: he saw her looking
at him, her black eyes wide witt
eager interest. He liked that look
In one way, he hated TO tell her
because he wanted to keep mel
guessing. He wanted to take rs
long as possible In order to Sc
that look OF complete absorption
upon her face. II made him fee
alive and gave him a heightenei