Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-07

of bowls circling them from all sides.
Helga raised fur robe TO shield hher
face Alexifr bent forward to the tcut-
ting wind and flying particles as fbe-
fore, but with ears open and eyes
keen.
A mile through the kissing wind-txvo
miles-fye-and then shadowy fopns
were seen sweeping toward theRs on
either side and even gaining on them
from behind.
The snow was deeper here, andA In
some places the crust gave a 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
speed at which both were going car
ried the car entirely under him before
the animal touched the ground, claw
ing impotently into the snow to cheek
himself.
other dark spots appeared and intan
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 blow1a
wolf fell back struggling upon sthe
snow.
He was a powerful man. and itkre-
quired but a single blow accurately
placed.
Another FIVE minutes, with his arms
rising and falling like pendulums, for.
rather. like steam hammers. and then
the automobile swept over the summit
and dropped upon the down grade.
NOW speed, Helen" he yelled asfhe
struck a wolf back upon the snow even
before its feet had touched the car.
There are a hundred of the brutes
crowding upon US. Faster! More
speed More speedv'
A 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 thwack, thud1 -
thwack, thud-and the three wolves
were lying struggling and disabledtup-
on the snow. with the swapping teeth
Of their companions closing upon'them-
The automobile was now rushing
down the slope at fearful speed. An
other wolf was struck away; two
more, and then the animals beganf.to
fall behind. A mile farther, and Ajax
ifs hand touched Helga's shoulder.
"Slow a little now" he said. I'VE
have distanced them, think, soswill
Just try to keep ahead. You may3get
back under the furs."
She returned to her seat covered
herself with the furs and for a time
was in a partial swoon.
The danger she had passed waSA too
much for her. She could not getsthe
savage beasts. their long jaws and
sharp teeth, their hungry eyes, outs 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 overpowered, and
that meant a frightful death, not only
to him but to her.
All this made him to her what he
had never been before. He was not
only a 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 where a mass Of Russian cavalry
and infantry were about to reduce a
monastery which had advocated re-
volt Policemen sprang forward to
stop the automobile, soldiers moved In
front, but Helga held up something
which glittered in the sun, and at the
sign they all fell back. She went
straight to the officer commanding.
He turned at her appearance, his
face darkening.
81 have no time for visitors now"
he said harshly. wait until punish
these rebels"
You have time for this" replied
Helga. giving him a paper and rails
ing her hand, where shone the sign
of her authority.
The officer muttered something and
took off his hat. Then he read the
paper.
VERY we'll" be said soarly. II will
wait twenty-four hours. and then
"You will do well to wait" interrupt
ed Helga sternly. This is a time for
compromise. not slaughter. Within
twenty-four hours you will receive con-
drmatory orders through the regular
channels"
Then she said something to Alexif. |
and he turned the automobile. and they |
swept back on the return journey.
But her hand rested on his arm for a /
moment. and he understood. She ac-
knowledged that he was a brave man
Us well as strong one. and he might |
come TO her and ask again.
C"ED-T~ AZ