The San Francisco call., 1906-09-30


old man summoned all of his SELF
possession and waited for an opening.
1t came. He let out his right fist and
struck the fellow stunning blow be-
meath the left ear The chivalrous de-
fender of beauty in distress fell TO the
s-ound without word Barnes rushed
over to him and felt his heart. 1t beat
vigorously. The stranger although fis-
tically down and out, was merely
stunned.
While the fight was going on and
just before the knockout blow was
struck Mile Felicia conceived bril-
liant and daring idea. She Nepped
cautiously on tiptoe toward the purple
motor car Tfe men were so intent
upon their quarrel that they did not
notice her. She reached the car and
crawled into the front seat Barnes,
kneeiing beside the PROSTATE stranger.
arose WITH sigh of satisfaction. As
he looked up Mile. Felicia pulled the
lever and the motor car started off,,
Fortunately Il had TO pass the chief
inspector. He braced himself as the
machine came opposite him, grabbed
the side board and with one great ef-
fort swung himself into the front seat
At the same moment he laid heavy
hand on the shoulder of the fair auto
ist. The failure OF her final EFFORT
eaased a reaction and Mile. Felicia
fell to the floor of the car in swoon
The old mans first act was to slip
pair of little handouts about her wrists.
After that he galiantly devoted himself
to the task of revivng her The heavy
eyelids soon opened and she looked up
at him reproaehfully
I'm trying to treat you as gently as
possible he said softly.
With that she curled up on the cush-
lon like a kitten and was silent. Mean
49, ,l.s rfl aF,A n {
soon in the limits of the town. He
went up ons road and down another
and presently came TO a sort of ware
house with an entrance for vehicles
The two big doors opened as if by
magic. He skiIlfully turned the motor
and entered the building. the little
woman gesticuIating and crying alter
nateiy in English and Spanish. The
chief came to sudden stop with the
machine and. jumping out. assisted his
fair passenger to alight. She hesitated
for a moment then leaped impulsively
to the ground, her cheeks blazing and
eyes sparkling with rage, her little
hands clenched.
The collector of customs. who was
there by appointment, looked up in
quiringly
collector" said Barnes, 7 want you
to know Mile. Felicia of New York and
Paris, who is temporarily sojourning
IN our MIDST
She stamped her little foot furiousIy
you speak as if you knew me- l
only met YOU today"
'.Ah. madcmoiselle. your dressmaking
fame is everywheres your creations en-
joy world renowned popularity
She pursed her pretty lips and her
nose tilted up into distinct sneer. At
the same moment Barnes reached over.
Permit NE to relieve you of your
coat.
The attack was so suddea that she
permitted him 10. take it from her. In
stantfy she repented and grabbed for
the garment crying:
tNo,r
lust as quickly he pulled it back.
calculating:
Yes
The long garment was turned inside
out The sleeves yielded Yards of the
finest hand made lace. The coat, es-
pecially designed for smuggling. had
a lining concealing immense quantities
of exquisite drawn work, tidiesl doilies
and lingerie. To the amazement of the
men. the soft fluffy stuff when spread
out. filled two bushel baskets and was
worth thousands OF dollars.
Mile Felicia. OF New York and Parts,
was inclined TO be hysterica1. but be-
tween sobs admitted that for months
She had been doing "a fourishing bust
ness with the aid oil her purple motor
car She looked about her like a
frightened deer, and once cried out in
voluntarily:
''Horace,-
The chief could not resist He put on
the goggles and, saluting, said:
Here, tmadameF
The tiscrisl. Impulses of the woman
asserted themselves. She made rush