The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-01-02


to the Count Rivoli, the courage OF the
Count Rivoli knew 10 bounds; for
Mees Dolce he would dare any dan
ger. go to any length to win smile
from her lips. So it was as the three,
Dolly, the Count and Arnold, sped
| back over the roads white in the soft
moonlight. Dolly had ceased to an
swer even in monosyllables, allowing
the Italian to run on, building up the
| pedestal upon which he was to take
| his stand.
II am glad that you have no bril-
! gands here, Mees Dolce" he was say
ing In tone which promised remi-
niscence. But when one comes right
down to 1t, it is not good to have no
opportunities for excitement save for
lodging death In these terrible streets
of yours. Just before left my home
in Italy, I myself escaped death or
capture at the hands OF what you call
hold-up men. Had l not been so
prompt and cool of action, shot one
man where he stood and put the 9TH
ers to flight would have"
A growing curse burst from Ar
mold. He threw on the brakes with
grinding force and Dolly and the
Count were abruptly huddled togeth-
err by the gear-tearing stop of the car.
| With an impatient, explosive Italian
word, Rivoli sprang UP. Suddenly,
| with his face gone to sickly pallor.
| his jaw dropping till his mouth gaped
| open he sank back weakly upon the
| cushions.
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-" he mumbled unintel-
| lightly, and then sat in quaking ST.
lence.
Come on there, the three Of you
up with your paws!" came the rasp-
Ing command Three men, the weird
moonlight making their faces pale
where they showed below the masks,
stepped close to the wheels of the
! painting car.
Rivoli's hands went weakly trem-
bling above his head. Dolly in quiet
fear, never taking her eyes from Ar
nold's profile, showing as he half turn
ed, obediently raised her daintily
gloved hands. Arnold fumbled for
HlOHltUI SOlH6W mere dDOuI llS Soi,
and then too shot up his arms.
A terse order sent two Of the men
to the sides of Arnold and the Count.
The leader turned his attention to
Dolly The girl obediently stripped
off her gloves. For the first time she
seemed to notice Rivoli and glance
Of contempt was his share.
The first bright ring came off with
out difficulty but the second brought
forth an oath and a cruel wrench. In
voluntarily a little cry escared from
between Dolly's clenched teeth.
Quick as a fash Arnold's hand came
down: quicker still he turned back to
where the leader tugged at the girls
delicate fingers. The cry Of warning
from one of the men In the white
rad came too late. The girl remem-
bered ever after the fierceness Of the
cold rage in Arnold's face. The heavy
| wrench flashed up bright in the moon.
light and then came crashing down
The leader sank down without a
groan. With a feeling Of sickening
revulsion Dolly heard the cry Of al
most feminine terror that escaped RI
VOLTS lips.
Arnold was out in the road now,
graphing desperately. He tore him.
self free and sent one Of his assail-
ants spinning to the macadam AS
the two fed, one paused moment in
the shadows. There was vicious re-
port and Arnold clutched weakly at
the air as he turned sick from the
shock Then his knees buckled under
him and he sank down in huddled
heap.
1t was Dolly who bore the greater
part of the burden of lifting the wound
ed man and propping him up on the
cushions in the tonneau. Her hands
were the ones that held the wheel in
the mad ride back to the city. To po
icemen who signaled her to slow up
the girl gave significant nod toward
the unconscious man beside her In the
front seat and let out another notch.
When Arnold awoke, he wondered
for a moment at his surroundings A
pressure of something soft In his hand
and a suspicious wetness on the back
of his fingers cleared away the clouds.
With a smile hiding the shooting pain
in his shoulder, he turned his head till
his eyes could feast on Dolly. Neither
cared to speak. Arnold understood
that she had brought him home, to
her home.
"A-a.ahem!" broke in the pompous,
warning cough of "Old Bull' Leonard.
Arnold tried to free his hand; but
Dolly held to 1t with gentle flrmness.
Her father pretended not to see
Something of fighter; yes. some
thing of a fighter" rumbled the voice
of Leonard pere, and he actually
smiled down upon the astonished Ar
mold
Young man, am looking for fight
ers to aid me-" he rumbled on. 81
| need young blood to brace up the old
In my struggles. But, Of course, you
| will not be fit for some time. Take
| your time, my boy, take your time"
With an absence of his habitual
frown, he ignored the creeping OF Dol
ly's other hand into Arnold's free one
and walked quietly from the room.