Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-08-14

Instantly ths car WAS In an uproar.
Collins found himself the centsr Of Q
mass OF struggling humanity. A man
was clappins him on the shoulder and
shouting approvingly. well done.
young fellow!" he exclaimed. That's
the way We Southerners would do
Give him what he deserves!" Others
were straining to get at the puffy.
faced man. who. prone on the floor
was endeavoring to shield himself
from rain Of kicks and blows.
Collins worked himself free and
tried to help the girl through the
throng. He reached her and offered
her his arm. She declined II indig-
nantly. and Collins. crestfallen, fol.
lowed her to the car door. where he
was at once seized by a gray. coated
Subway guard.
Hold him!" yelled the puffy.faced
man, who. hatless and coatless. now
appeared OH the scene. Even then
Collins noticed with satisfaction that
his eye was nearly closed and sur.
rounded by a widening circle OF black,
shading OF into medley Of crimson.
magenta, and maroon. That's the
fellow that assaulted and tried to rob
me-"
Collins saw the girl stop suddenly.
hesitate. and then return impulsively
toward him She laid her hand upon
his arm.
No, II Is a mistake" she said. This
gentleman tried to protect me against
a despicable fellow who was insulting
me. only-only--"
Her lips were trembling and she
was evidently overcome by her emo
tion Collins looked up. wretched to
think that he should have been the
cause OF bringing tears to her eyes.
Then, to his amazement. he saw that
IL was mirth, not fear. that agitated
her.
only he struck the wrong man."
she said, This gentleman was per.
fectly innocent"
Innocent" snorted the puffy faced
man. II should say that am inno-
cent ] am a family man. and can't
go home with a black eye. Besides,
I'm churchwarden. and there's moth
ing In my life have to conceal. My
name is Robert B. Allison, president Of
the Western Manufacturing company.
and the little influence that have
shall use to see that this young black.
guard gets the punishment he de-
Collins was thunderstruck at this
piece OF information. Surely fate had
iealt very hardly with him. The puffy.
aced man. who had now adjusted his |
coat and hat. did not look much like
prospective employer
Mr.. Allison" he said impulsively. |
! don't care for myself. but II you are
gentleman you will let me get this
ady out Of this crowd Won't you ac-
'ept my humble apologies? My name
8 Collins-Frapk Collins, and I was
m my way downtown to apply to you
or a position. lose the position;
ct us call the account even"
You are MIR. Allison!" exclaimed
he girl. why. am Grace Loomis.
Ind ] was on my way TO your office In
answer to your letter to call concern
ng a private secretaryship."
There was an awful silence. Col
ins dared not look up. The crowd
was melting away; the three stood
here together. for even the guard. see
ng the turn matters we're taking. had
wisely gone about his business. Sud.
ienly roar burst from Allison's lips.
Good Lord. that's one on mel" he
said. II can't afford to have II get
about that was mauled by one Of
my employees to punish me for insult.
ms my secretary. Besides. l need |
you both to give evidence to my wife
about my eye. Come on down to my
office and well adjust matters. MIR.
Collins. your first official act will be
to buy me an eye-plaster. You're a
clean-cut man. sir. and a clean upper
cut man too You're both engaged"
But somehow there was lurking
double meaning In that last word that
made Miss Loomis blush.