Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-18
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lating violently.
Payne had not turned his head. and the
moment that a startled "Ohi'' from Miss
Randolph told him there had been an acct
dent he put on speed. clearly with the in
tention or avoiding a row. The injured
man stopped to pick up a stone. At the
same instant Miss Randolph. in her most
1mpertous manner land she can be imperi-
ous). commanded Payne to stop instantly
and go back. But we shall have the
whole pack Of them on us like wolves" he
objected. Go back!' she repeated. stamp
ing her little foot. II won't hurt man
and drive away" Suddenly Payne pulled
up. and putting In the reverse. we ran slow
ly into the midst of the horde of angry
peasants. swollen now by many Others
who had been passing along the crowded
road.
As we backed into that sea Of scowling
faces I thought OF the various revolutions
wasp's nest Every one was yelling at once.
In the front rank stood the man who had
been knocked down, his trousers cut to
tatters He had dashed himself into such
herent. and the flood OF speech which rush
ed from his white lips was more like the
yells Of an animal than the ordered utter
ance OF human being. By his side were
both sobbing and screaming. while every
one else in the angry mob shouted stimuli
taneously. Aunt Mary went very pale.
Payne looked upon his handiwork with
took the business in hand with the
~ eatest pluck She had whisked Off her
veil and faced the people boldly. her gray
ewes meeting theirs. her face white. save
sight Of her beauty the clamor died down.
and In the lull she spoke to the man who
had been thrown under the horse
II am very sorry you are hurt she said,
land shall be pleased to give you some
thing to buy yourself new clothes. Are you
injured anywhere"
At the sound Of her correct but foreign
sounding French some one in the crowd
shouted out, "A bas les Anglais!' The
girl drew herself up proudly and looked in
the direction Of the voice. She didn't try
to excuse herself by denying England and
claiming a nationality more popular IN
France, and loved her more than ever for
this reticence.
PAY" shouted the man who had been
hurt. with one hand wiping trickle of
blood out of his eye, with the other thump-
ing the mud guard of the car. or course.
you shall pay. God only knows what m
juries 1 have received. Mazette! l am all
one ache. Ah you pay well. or you do
not go ONT" He pressed closer to the car.
and his friends closed in around him.
PAY them Molly! pay anything they
ask!' quavered Aunt Mary, ''or they will
kill us! Oh. 1 always knew something like
this was bound to happen! What fool
was to leave my peaceful home and come
to a country OF thieves and murderers!
Don't be frightened. Aunt Mary" said
the girl. with more patience for her rela-
tive's garrulous complaints than 1 had.
Then she turned to me. Brown. Is that
man much hurt?' she asked. briskly.
No" replied. He Is merely scratched.
and no doubt bruised. II he had any bones
broken any internal injury or severe strain
he couldn't rage about like mad bull"
''Still. 1t is our fault" she said. 1--WE
ought to have stopped. His clothes are
torn. How much ought we to pay?
Nothing at ALL said Sherlock. Don't
you let yourself be blackmailed."
She didn't answer or look in his direction.
thus emphasizing the fact that she had
asked her question of me. not Of him.
Fifty francs would be generous. l said.
"to buy the fellow a new suit Of clothes
and pay for a bottle of liniment. With that
tomorrow he would be thanking his stars
for the accident. But as Mr.. Payne was
driving, hadn't you better let him talk to
them? 1t isn't right that two men should
stand by and let the burden fall on lady"
You speak to them. Brown; l give you
carte blanche" said she, and We faced the
mob together.
eff you threaten u.s." I said, you shall
have nothing. We were going fast, but
your horse is badly broken. and is more Of
danger on the road than an automobile
If you behave yourself and tell your friends
to do likewise this lady wishes to give you
fifty francs to buy new clothes in place Of
those which have suffered in this accident.
But we don't intend to be bulied."
Fifty francs" shrieked the man. Fifty
francs for a mans life, Bah, You aristo-
Gratis! Five hundred francs; not a sou less.
or you do not stir from this place. Fifty
francs. Mazette!'
You are talking nonsense. and you know
it, said l roughly. stand out of our way,
we will send for the police
(To be continued tomorrow