Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-03-16

and feebly putting smoke he urged
Tony to bring the ladies that way.
"Upstairs-we'l get them upstairs out
of the crowd!" he shouted. but in
stantly the whole throng would have
turned to stream in that direction had
not Tony Kidd kept the way clear by
making an obstacle of his own broad
shoulders.
He got a fierce blow or two. but held
the pass until the four ladies' of his
party and Isidora had reached shelter
with Loveland.
The women safe, Tony tore off his
coat and began beating down the fiery
snakes which crawled up the door
frame toward the ceiling. Lovelund
meanwhile, having refuged the four
ladies with Isidora, hurried back to
stand by Tony Kidd. Three minutes
later two big men in blue sent the
door crashing off it's hinges into the
restaurant. andaby the time the fire en-
gines swept changing and snorting into
the street the flames We're Stified and
Alexander had found Il few candies 10
light up the smoky darkness.
The whole drama in one act had
played itself out from beginning to
end in less than ten minutes. but it
had come close to tragedy, as none
realized more fully than the two whom
it had very strangely brought togeth.
er-Lord Loveland and Tony Kidd.
No 0nn u,ac IS1lo1 ~ ,o;o,.), -
jured, fortunately for Alexander the
Greats popularity. Many hands and
faces We're cut with window glass,
two or three women had bruises or
sprained wrists. and the Italian bride
and groom We're objects for compass
sion.
Loveland and Tony Kidd had saved
the situation. Nobody else seemed to
have accomplished anything deserving
praise, but when calm followed storm
De Rocheverte. Milton. his friend Ma
son and the W. Hungarians Wed with
one another in volubly explaining each
act and failure to act. They had
INT to make a way out for the
ladies'; that was why they had tried
to get to the door, but they had been
caught and overwhelmed in the crowd.
They all talked fast and eagerly, al.
most ~convincingly, but the ladies', pale
and shattered. listened without an.
sWering. And when they thanked
Tony Kidd for Saving them from be-
ing burned alive they were careful
neither to contradict nor assent when
he assured them that 1t was ''our
brave %pretcnder who did everything"
AS for Loveland, he was no longer
to he seen. Tony looked in vain for
his comrade in battle.
Funny thing" Val thought as he
looked at his burned left hand and his
singed cont funny thing, | suppose
! behaved fairly decently because l
Il to do it and there was nc other
way. But I've fancied myself a lot
more before this for a grand slam at
bridge or a right and left shot at a
couple Of birds.'
There was no need to prove his cour-
age further by %reappearing in the res
taurant. Ii he went back it would look
as if he were bidding for compliments
from his late ~tormentors. and heaven
knew that he wanted nothing Of the
sort. He wanted only to be let alone.
Dick was binding up his injured hand
when the sound Of a voice behind his
back made him turn quickly.
"See here" said Tony Kidd, give
been looking for you, because I want
to tell you something. Whatever else
you may or may not be, you're a man
anyhow"
AS he delivered himself of this
speech Tony's pleasant, clever face
lost the %quizzical expression it was
wont to wear and looked very attrac-
tive in it's earnestness.
"Thank you" answered Loveland
rather stif1y. Then, melting as his
blue eyes and Tony's brown ones held
each other. he added, smiling. $50 are
you"
eff I've made things any worse for
you I'm sorry" went on Tony. Its
all been in the way Of business, you
know"
Millions words to the young journal
ist had cleared the mystery Of the
crowd who had glanced up from their
newspapers to stare at the English
waiter and gone back to their news
papers again. Tony's yelled allusion
brought no surprise to Loveland. there
fore, and he answered without heat.
ut doesn't matter" he said quietly in
a tired voice, which made good ma
tured Tony vince.
you're in pain, aren't YOU" he
asked.
ooh, nothing to speak Of" said Val.
Burned my hand and wrist a little;
that's ALL"
st was a narrow shave" said Tony
''by Jove, a shave literally, for you've
pretty well made a clearance of hair
on n side Of your head"
Il must look like a convict" return
ed Loveland, and, considering every
thing, it struck Tony Kidd as odd that
the Englishman should make that par
ticular remark about himself.
you've been having q mighty hard