Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-02-04

his film luck departed, Terry hat
paid the money on account to A
Jonas. or "the ape" as he was know
affectionately in the exclusive un'
derworld group of which he wa
boss.
AL was petty racketeer. Anything
from a dollar upward was grist tt
his mill and mis- Vaccinations spread
through Los Angeles like the fine
veins on a leaf. Gambling was the
staple diet of his financial well-be-
ing.
No bets were too small or too big
for Al Jonas. The stenographers
in the studios and their bosses die
track business with Al. Some of his
business was honest. But much Of il
was not.
Terry Davidson had been a client
OF AIS ever since the Santa Anita
track opened on Christmas day. 1885
He obeyed the command to come to
AIS Office in the night club in Bev-
erly.
AIS voice was friendly enough
But the small, bullying eyes were
like ice.
You haven't paid lis anything
for three months How Gomez" he
asked Terry shifted uneasily on
the carpet.
Things haven't been so good with
me, AL, lately You know that.
Anxiety pitched Terry's voice tone
higher.
Things is bad for everybody" said
Al pleasantly. And then like the
firing of a gun, he ordered: Empty
your pockets"
WHAT"
"Is your hearing bad too?"
Terry looked at the door long
ingly But he knew there was no
escape. He slowly brought out his
wallet and surrendered it.
AL emptied the contents on his
desk, and separated a dollar and
a check from the few business and
private cards He looked at the
check, smiled at the signature
'Livia Clarkson."
What goes on here?" he asked
Terry.
"oh, I did something for her, and
she paid me"
What, for instance?"
Terry Tries to Bluff.
None Of your business" Terry
tried to sound injured. Il don't ask
questions about your business, so
lay off mine" Al laughed.
She's Earl Dixon's kid, isn't she?"
If they knew that they probably
knew the rest, Terry thought, but
he blufed little longer.
who's Earl Dixon?" he asked.
Al opened a door.
Hey, Earl?" he shouted. Into
the room staggered Livia's father.
From the condition of his face and
clothes he had neither been to bed
nor undressed for quite some time.
He peered hazily at Terry.
Dye mind if I sit DOWN." he
said deliberately and, without wait
ing. bent stifly into CHAIR. I'm
thirsty-wanna drink" he an
nounced
Al took a bottle of Scotch from
cupboard, poured the brown liquid
into a small glass. Dixon swallowed
it and wiped his mouth.
"Ah, Shelter. Who's this?" he
pointed to Terry.
Dye know him?" Al asked Terry
Never saw him before in my life ~
he answered truthfully. Al grinned
at Terry.
so you were giving him so bucks
week from his loving daughter,
and for why? Because he was in
Dutch with me, and his soft-hearted
little daughter didn't want me to
be nasty to her papa-me that
wouldn't hurt a fy-unless it was
trying to put something over on
me. I'm surprised at you, Terry"
"Once I had wife and family
but no more, no more" said Dixon
dramatically. He lurched up. Dye
know who I amp" he asked Jonas,
and without waiting for reply, I'm
the best director in the business. "
Sure you are" Al patted his
shoulder. Dixon moved away
haughtily.
Continues to Drink.
Keep your hands off me-" He
sat down again, and his face was
full of sadness. 1.-TWO little. baby
daughters, but no more. Got some
more of that Scotch?"
Sure" AL poured him another
drink. How'd you like to see your
daughter?" AL asked him.
Two little baby daughters" said
Dixon. He peered craftily at Jonas.
"Why7"
He walked msteadily to the bot
tie on the desk and poured him.
self another drink.
Good stuff, this" he smacked
his lips. my daughters movie
star" he announced. Il saw her
picture in the paper"
Yes, I know" Al said. Was there
any thing he didn't know, Terry
wondered?
II made the best pictures in
l1OllyWOOO, odlo olholi bSlA6Ci
emily. Wanna make something Of
it?" he demanded.
Yeah, but not the way you
mean" Al laughed. Look" he
said to Terry, I'm putting my
friend Earl in your charge. See
that he's happy"
where shall I put him?" Terry
shrank away from Dixon.
Here" said Al, giving Terry
back the $50 check. He added five
$40 bills. Take him to your apart
ment-and keep him wen supplied,
he touched the bottle of Scotch.
How about Livia Clarkson?'
Terry asked at the door.
Leave the thinking to me- Al
replied gently.
That evening LiNa was having
her dinner in bed, as usual.
who was that?" she asked Mrs
Sayles. She had heard the door
bell ring. Livia pushed the tray
aside and went to the window.
1.-THE ape mani" she exclaimed.
Livia Decides to Act.
"He asked to see you. I said you
had gone to bed and he said to
wake you up. I slammed the door