Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 7, 1925 — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

it?” said Jessie. “How you going to secure those condi- tions?” asked Black Kate with a sneer. “This is a business organization, isn’t “ You’re always telling me go. It ought to be run on business prin- ciples then. We want a contraet with the organization.” Black Kate laughed outright; neverthe- less Jessie’s word was cunningly chosen. “ Contract *” was a slogan, a rallying cry. Every one of the men took it up. ““ We-want a contract. We want to know what we can expect!” » One by one Kate tried eta them. “It’s no use talkin’ to you, Bill; you're cracked about the girl. But you, Tim, I never saw a skirt come around you be- fore. For your own good, I ask you to keep out of this. Let them run their heads into a noose if they want.” “TJ want a contract,” said Tim obstin: ately. Kate turned to the next, who was Fi ingy. “You’re a young man,” she said, “ with your future before you. What you want to. queer it like this for? This girl’s got nothing for you. When there’s mutiny in the air like this, that’s the time for a young fellow to get on by sticking to the organ- ization.” 7 ‘Nothin’ doin’,” said Fingy. “You, Abell,’’ she went on to the next; “the boss was talkin’ to me about you a couple of days ago. ‘ Abell’s done well,’ says he ‘he’s entitled to a vacation.’ ”’ “Vowre lying!” said Abell contemp- tuously. © ‘And you, Pap,” said Kate with a curl- ing lip, “what you want, a contract for cooking? You ain’t entitled to any per- centages nohow, There’s nothing in this for. you. You must have set your heart on-dying behind the bars!” Pap, livid and sweating with terror, was incapable of answering her. However, he made no move to desert his associates. They gathered close around him to give him courage. | Katesshrugged. ‘ Well, I done my best to keep you from committin’ suicide,” she said. ‘“ You’re bent on it. All right. Til call up the boss. I guess this is important enough to wake him out of his sleep.” She ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. . paused at the door of the room, and turned. “Tf any one of you wants to save himself from the general clean-up, let him seas now. It’s your last chance.” ‘There was complete silence in the room. With a laugh, Kate went on out. Sam was still in the room, and the others gathered in a close group in the corner by . one of the windows. The feelings of soli- darity and defiance had roused all the men to a pleasant state of excitement. Jessie worked among them to stimulate it, and keep them up to the mark. Kate returned to the room, smiling still. “ He’s coming right over,” she said. “ Hell ~ be here inside ten minutes.” A significant sence fell on Jessie’s fol- lowers. She was aware of a shiver of ap- prehension passing through them. On the © other hand Kate and-Sam were gleeful. It. was nothing to Jessie. She had gained her point. A great satisfaction filled her. CHAPTER XXV. THE BIG BOSS. HE atmosphere of the dining room in g 3 the house on Varick Street was tense. The five men were gone from the room for a few minutes to dress them- selves. Jessie had handed the tiara over to them to keep, When they returned the two parties in the household waited, and watched each other from opposite sides of the room. I must say that the morale of the larger party, that is Jessie’s party, suffered most under the strain of waiting. Only two of the men, Bill Combs and Tim Helder had ever seen the Boss, and the others seemed to be filled with a sort of superstitious terror at the thought of being brought face to face with this mythical per- sonage. This was of small moment to fes- sie; however she kept up a decent pretense of trying to hearten them. Observing that little Abell’s face was growing whiter, and his lips more tense, she said: “ After all, he’s only a man like your- self.” “Sure,” said Abell with a boyish swag- ger. “I’m not afraid of him!” But it rang hollow. Gomicboo cS Se en ee ns com ~