Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-01-20

HelSa-nore than estate, everything.
when l suspected this fearful jour
ney your father is sending you on. il
which he dared not trust your own
man with the secret, determined tc
substitute myself in Ivans place and
be near.
You are II brave girl. IIelga. for
that is in the blood of your race, but
you may thank God that we have the
best automobile in the country and
that the summit OF this ridge is only
ten miles away. On the other side it
will be down grade. and the roads
will be less obstructed by snow. Bet
ter the risk from terrific speed than
from hungry timber wolves. be-
lieve we shall escape the animals, but
1t will be against II hundred possible
accidents. There. now, we are ready"
He sprang into the automobile and
threw it forward with bound, as a
race horse touched by the spur. And
as he did so there came wild series
Of howls circling them from all sides.
Helga raised fur robe to shield her
face. Alexiff bent forward to the cut
ting wind and flying particles as be-
fore, but with ears open and eyes
keen.
\ mile through the kissing wind-two
mi!cs-tive-and then shadowy forms
were seen sweeping toward them on
either side and even gaining on them
from behind.
The snow was deeper here, and in
some places the crust gave little,
causing them to sway from side to
side, losing speed.
A dark form rushed down upon them
in front, bounded into the air, and the
ricd the car entirely under him before
the animal touched the ground, claw
ing impotently into the snow to check
himself
Other dark spots appeared and in ar
instant seemed to sweep down upon
them and passed. One got his claws
upon the box in front and tried to
scramble into the car. AleXiff struck
him off with his fist
"Helga," he cried, you must take
charge of the machine now and give
her speed, speed, speed. Never mind
risk"
He caught up short iron headed
staff and swung it to the right, the
left, in front, and with every blow a
wolf fell back struggling upon the
snow.
He was Il powerful man, and it re-
quired but Il single blow accurately
placed
Another five minutes, with his arms
rising and falling like pendulums, or,
rather. like steam hammers, and then
the automobile swept over the summit
and dropped upon the down grade.
Now speed, Helen" he yelled as he
struck Il wolf back upon the snow even
before It's feet had touched the car.
There are n hundred of the brutes
crowding upon us. Faster! More
speed! More speedr'
4 wolf was climbing into the car
from behind. another on the left, a
third rising into the air in front. The
muscular arms rose and fell three
times.
thwack thud-and the three wolves
were lying struggling and disabled up,
on the snow. with the swapping teeth
of their companions closing upon them.
The automobile was now rushing
down the slope ut fearful speed An
other wolf was struck away; two
more. and then the animals began to
f1I 10 o.,
ifs hand touched Helga's shoulder.
SLOW Il little now" he said. We
have distanced them, think, so will
just try to keep ahead. You may get
back under the furs."
She returned to her seat covered
herself with the furs and for time
was in a partial swoon.
The danger she had passed was too
much for her. She could not get the
savage beasts, their long jaws and
sharp teeth, their hungry eyes, out Of
her mind
Again she saw them climbing into
the automobile and again she saw the
brave man who had fought them rain
ing blows upon them.
1t had seemed to her every moment
that he would be oyerpowered, and
that meant frightful death, not only
to him but to her.
All this made him to her what he
had never been before. lie was not
only hero, he was her protector-he
had saved her life.
Six hours later they swept into Aka
kia. through the turbulent streets and
on to whore IL mass OF Russian cavalry
and Infantry were about to reduce a
monastery which had advocated re-
volt. Policemen sprang forward to
stop the ata omobilc, soldiers moved in
front, but uelga held up something
which Glittcrcd in the sun, and ut the
sign they all fell back. She went
straight to the officer commanding.
He turned at her appearance. his
face d1rkenins;.
Il have no time for visitors now"
he said harahly. wait until punish
these rebels"
You have time for this" replied
Helga, giving him paper and rails.
ing her hand. where shone the sign
of her authority.
The officer muttcred something and
took off his hat. Then he read the
paper.
Very we'll" he said sourly. Il will
wait twenty-four hours, and then
You will do well to wait" interrupt
ed uelga Sternly. This is time fox