Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 10, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 March 1936 — Page 17

MARCH 23, 1936-

Today's Short Story GRENADES ARE SMALL, TOO By Robert McLaughlin

BURCH CAVANAUGH was tall and very nasty, Adelc was small and easily frightened. Burch had a violent temper and a big mobster’s arrogance, although, In fact, he was a gambler and not a mobster; Adele danced in the line at El Muchacho, she had no arrogance and very little temper.

But more than anything else Burch Cavanaugh had an overwhelming vanity and there was nothing in this world that could make him suffer like an unavenged Insult. And there was only one man living who had insulted Burch and had gotten away with it. He was Owen Varden—Adele's husband. In its way the story was an old and a trite one. Burch liked to amuse himself with Adele because she was a such a little thing and so obviously frightened to death by him. Then he went abroad one summer for a try at the tables at Deauville and when he came back he found Adele married to Owen Varden. That didn’t disturb him greatly, if anything, it was an additional reason for making love to Adele. So he took to dropping around to her apartment when her husband was away and watching her squirm with terror. That was the kind of thing Burch did best. tt tt tt HE was vastly amused by it all. Adele was afraid to tell her husband because she knew what a big shot Burch was, because she knew all he had to do was give the word and Owen would catch plenty of lead in his stomach. But this Owen! It seems that they forgot to tell him about Burch’s being a bad man to fool with, or maybe he was just an excitable Irishman, because when he did catch Burch in his apartment he smacked him very neatly; picked him up and smacked him again. Then, to complete the job, he kicked him down a flight of stairs. At 10 o'clock of a morning three days later Burch, slightly battered about the head, was having breakfast in bed when Conroy, his righthand man, came in the room. They knew each other so well that neither bothered to pass a greeting. ‘‘See the mornin gpaper?” asked Conroy. •’No.” Conroy dropped it on the bed. “Your pal Varden made the headlines.” The headline read: GUNMAN GETS BROKEN JAW. Felix Kurth, ex-convict, was the victim of a one-punch knock-out when he invaded the apartment of Owen Varden. . . . Kurth’s shot went wild when Mrs. Varden struck up his arm and Varden knocked him unconscious. . . .’ ‘‘Damn, 1 ' said Burch. ‘‘l might have known that no friend of Nate’s could shoot straight.” tt tt tt CONROY nodded. “I was wondering if you had anything to do with it.” “They can't tie it on me. Don’t worry about that.” Burch rubbed his chin. He got up, knotting a muffler about his neck, pulling on his robe. "This Varden guy’s got guts. And Adele spoiled his aim, eh?” He laughed. "Guts must be contagious.” "You better lay off them,” began Conroy, when the bell sounded. "See who it is and tell ’em I’m out.” Conrayx went to the door and Burch looked up from a cigaret to see Adele come into the room. The match burned his fingers and he dropped it with an oath. "Adele!” "Yes. Burch.” She was all in green and wore a wisp of feather on the crown. Her white knit gloves complemented the dull green of her suit. Burch :,">ced at Conroy. "See you later They were silent until he had gone. Then she said, shakily: "You know what happened last night?" He gestured toward the paper on the bed. "I just read it. Too bad he was such a lousy shot.” She was trembling, but looked at him steadily. "Did you send that man to kill Owen?”

TTE ground out the head of his V are tte without answering. Hei glands were caught together piteously. -Be honest with ine Burch. Tell me the truth." Well, well, he thought, just like the movies, beautiful girl in mv po"er and all that. "Did you come here to find that out?" She nodded, never taking her eyes from his face. "Did you?” Curious to hear her propoi tion he smiled, answered: "Yes." She didn't say anything for a moment but caught her full lower lip between her teeth. "I thought so but 1 wanted to be sure.” She opened her purse and took out a small revolver. “You'll find I’m a better shot than your killer was.” The gun went off three times and each shot took effect in Burch's surprised body. He went over backward, grappling at his chest, with the blood coming swiftly between his distended fingers. He stared with a shocked horror at Adele and she, hands twisted together, stared in return. The gun had fallen to the floor. "Burch , . .*■ she said. "Oh. Burch. ..." And she fled.

IT was tliree days before he was able to talk. It was on a late afternoon with the sunlight slanting through the hospital windows and making a tracery of bars upon his bed. Burch watched the weak sunlight as he listened to Detective Wynne. . . Don't give us that stuff. You couldn’t ’a' shot yourself. The doc says no. Cut out the old McGoo, Cavanaugh, and tell us who did it. You don't want to cash your checks without burning the rat that gunned you. Let’s have it.” When Burch said nothing, Wynne went on: "How could you ’a’ shot yourself when there ain’t any of your fingerprints on the gun?” "Is that all that’s worrying you?” he said tiredly. “I was wearing gloves.” “Yeah!” Wynne snorted his anger. "You was wearing gloves with your pajamas! And you took ’em off after you shot yourself.” "That’s how i did it, all right. Don’t be dumb.” Wynne cleared his throat, glanced at the stenographer beside him. "It was a doll done it, wasn’t it?” Burch closed his eyes, thinking of Adele saying "Burch . . . Oh, Burch ...” Who’d have thought she had the guts ? "In a way .a doll did it,” he told Wynne. "I got the gun from a doll a long time ago. It was sm:. 11 and pretty and quiet, just like she was. He looked at Wynne. “And then it went off—bang! just like some dolls do when you least expect it.” "That won’t go with us. 'J- ranaugh——” "And anyway, Wynne,” Burch interrupted, “I won’t die, you know. The wounds are high up. It’s shock I'm suffering from. That’s what the doc says.” "You're sufferin’ from what?” "Shock,” repeated Burch dreamily. "And I think the doc’s right.” (THE END)

DIESEL USERS ARE TO MEET Two-Day Conference at Purdue Begins Thursday. Times Special LAFAYETTE, Ind., March 23. Representatives of agencies using Diesel engines for transportation and power are to meet for a twoday educational conference here Thursday and Friday. Nine industrial experts are scheduled to lecture at the conference, which has been arranged by the school of mechanical engineering and the engineering extension departmnt of Purdue University. The program is to open Thursday afternoon with lectures by John Hannon, International Harvester Cos., Chicago; H. M. Wiles, Waukesha Motor Cos., Waukesha, Wis., and G D. Trieber, chief engineer, Hercules Motor Corp„ Canton, O. Fuels and fuel specifications are to provide topics Friday morning for C. H. Baxley, Sinclair Refining Cos., New York, and L. C. Carlton, United American Bosch Corp., Chicago. Speakers at the closing session Friday afternoon are to be F. M. Young. Young Radiator Cos., Racine. Wis.; F. G. Gurley, Burlington Lines, Chicago, and J. C. Hale, Trans-American Freight Lines, Chicago. NAME COMMITTEE FOR CITY MISSION MEETING Superintendent of Bowery Rescue Agency to Be Chief Speaker. A committee to arrange the fortythird annual meeting and anniversary of the Wheeler City Rescue Mission was announced today by the Rev. Herbert Eberhardt, superintendent. Members are Eugene C. Foster, chairman; William E. Osborn, J. Edward Dirks, Wallace O. Lee and Harper J. Ransburg. Appointments were made by Harry W. Krause, board president. The Rev. Charles J. St. John, famed superintendent of the Bowery Mission, 227 Bowery, New York City, is to be the principal speaker at the meeting in April. A definite date has not yet been chosen. NURSING MEETING SET Service Bureau to Hear Four Speakers at Methodist Wednesday. The Nursing Service Bureau of the Indiana State Nurses’ Association. central district, is to meet at 2 Wednesday afternoon in Jacob E. Wile residence, Methodist Hospital. Dr. Kenneth E. Thornburg, Dr. C. W. Seikerman, Miss Edith Kroegher and Miss Mary Portzline are to j speak. Miss Lillian Johnson is in j cnarge of arrangements.

OUR BOARDING HOUSE

he '■’y* AND TUCKE-R- CUTAWAY AND \ ; J|f SAME HOOPLE p WRITE TIE, JASON , AND HOP OVER TO WOT NICKED & |L The tlctaist tor a gardenia —when me to m VOUN6 MICHAEL- \AOOPLEfS SIXTEEN-CYLINDER \ DAT TWO W MOTOR, WITH TOOTMAN AND CHAUFFEUR, COMES Jf "BUCKS LAS' gl TO *REST AT HOOFLE MANOR, X SHALL BE P—A YE AM , /' arrayed in proper raiment to ( RECEIVE A HOOPLE OF HIS SOCIAL. ) /( ( MA3AH Q j V STANDIN6 AND VAST WEALTH. / """I I s BY NE SERVICE. INC. T. M. REG. \y% 3*23 p -

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS—

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WASHINGTON TUBBS II

FOUND IT ,EASVi TH 1 CARS PARKMDjCp'D HE SEE7\ /HECK, NO/ ,YGOOD WORkY BEHIND A HOUSE ON LI7ARD GULCHy —k VOU 2 11 WAS PEEPIN' PODNER/ T OUR AN' PUNKY MAGLEW'S THRU THE THAT MUST /CHANCT, INSIDE, EATINi SUPPER KNOTHOLE BE THE /BOVS.

ALLEY OOP

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BOOTS AND HER BUDDIES

;< -—O Kamo tv\e farther \t \s ,t he. S tm.ii.jK

THE TARZAN TW INS

As Tarzan’s elephant friend Tantor sped toward the battle, Gudah the Terrible rushed straight at Tarzan, whom he recognized as his most dangerous foe among all the ape-things. The Jungle Lord turned quickly to dodge that powerful engine of destruction.

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

But the frenzied, confused apes behind him impeded his swift maneuver. Tarzan was trapped! Then Gudah's serpentine trunk lashed out and clutched him. With a wild cry of triumph, the monstrous brute swung the ape-man into the air to dash him to the ground! ...

—By Ahern

f WE'LL TAKE Y NAH -THAT'S TOO CATCH THE BLASTED SMART ALFk\

—nv Alartir X OOK!t LOMGT TO vu\th CZ 1 TW—^ FOR AWWWE, AT \_XAGT-T\L\. : L M V\XN)IR\ .. YXS. ■ I CAM GET HOME —ANiO V\ANB MY LOV\AT _M V\OMX. P 1 ALL TO MYSELF \ THLVA

. . . Far away, in the cannibal village of Galla Galla, wings of death fluttered ever the Tarzan Twins. But as Intamo swung his club at Doc the second time, a small, panther-like figure launched itself upon the breast of the witchdoctor and bore him to the ground.

OUT OUR WAY

P I if |j IfF; T?ff/ IP YO'J THINK THAT I THINK VOU \ llf \y ' j ‘|| / CAN READ , WITH SOUR EYES THAT I jfi I ; iji! ~• I J /CLOSE, you're BOTH WRONG! II 1 11 ft !| j ji , l (I I'LL ANSWER THE DOORBELL. YOU If J I !h|l !' ! L A1 1 NEEDN'T BOTHER.. BUT IP IT'S i J 1 lljllll!!'/ Ij\ \\ ‘l SOMEBODY FOR EITHER ONE OF lu l [ • W l!i! '\ \ .11 I \ VOU, AND VOU THINK I'M GOING / f 1 / \ \TO TELL THEM YOU'RE HERE. J / <£> A | \ YOU'RE WRONG AGAIN WHY MOTHERS GET GRAY." i/t “ k g> wit BY NEA 9CHVICE. IXC. T M BtC U S PAT, orr. y 3--a-3

/t'HECIC WITH HIM-AKJ'TH’ \ ( "Y. / OKAY. BOYS, THATS & l I WIIER, TOO •LISTEN TME -J IF YOU'LL BRIMG ( th’ SPOT.' KEEP ON \ ShBOUT WHA£ YDYOUR ROCK-BUSTERS \ DIGGIN'.AN’ MAKE ) HE ? E ow TH ’ RUNJ * / IT HOT/ A HEREJOB Pi 9 FOOZYadvised V^E^fooV Jtk AGAINST THIS 1 VIHING.' J PROCEDURE - AND, HOPING TO RUIN the grand wizecs cave, suggest* \ r 'm m VUiXUtU > zED PIGGING A HOLE IN THE TOP fx\) Tflk VjTjtTnV HuTihf Vmyplan,^hodoubtTi Op it, through I \^i* r s Jm rifet\9-a WILL GET HIM OUT/ / WHICH THE - jgr—irTTTm pcisonec king guz, so intent on m3 Hr]Cyk COULD BE THE GRAND WIZER'S RESCUE. ,r*L JTjtifrA HAULED- FAILED TO PERCEIVE FOOZY^ /&*> -- , EVIL INTENT, AND CONSENTED * T ‘” h MLKIS TO THE PLAN-SO THE WRECKING WWf CREW WEh J T T 0 WORK P 1936 BY NfASERVICE. INC. T. M. REG. U. 8. PAT. Off. -T

—By Ed ear Rice Burroughs

Twice a muscular arm rose and fell; twice a dull blade gleamed in the fitful light from a distant fire. Ukundo arose from the prostrate form, but Intamo lay still. "Gee, that was a close call.” stammered Doc. “And,” moaned Dick, "we’re only just beginning!”

-COMIC PAGE

—By Williams

—By Blosser

—Bv Crane

—Bv Hamlir

—By Martin