The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-14
she must not stop in openly opposing
the wishes of her father.

the wishes Of her father.
1t was Count Rivoli who proposed
motoring to the inn far out along the
lake shore. supping there and return
ng late by moonlight. To Dolly, psy-
| cholosically. was conveyed the Ital-
lan's intention to put his future happi.
ness-or financial standing-to the
test: Arnold had become too grumpy
and saturnine to be open even to the
NEST openly intimated purpose upon
the part of his rival. Self aggrandize-
ment was not the least important topic
10 which Rivoli devoted his musical
voice and captivating accent The Ital
an was a splendid talker. when his
words reached only the ears of WON.
en-. and with an air of modesty cloak.
ing his utterances. he contrived to
dwell at length and at all times upon
his heroic achievements. According
10 the Count Rivoli. the courage Of the
| Count RivOli knew no 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
he italian to run on, building up the
| pedestal urOn which he was to take
his stand.
! Il am glad that you have no bri-
gands here. Mees Dolce" he was say.
ing in tone which promised remi.
niscence. But when one comes right
down to it. it Is not good to have no
opportunities for excitement save for
lodging death in these terrible streets
Of YOURS lust before I left my home
IN Italy, myself escaped death or
capture at the hands of what you call
| holi-up men Had not been so
prompt and cool Of action. shot one
nan where he stood and put the 9th
ers 70 fight. | would have"
\ growing curse burst from Ar.
mold lie threw on the brakes with
grinding force and Dolly and the
coant were abruptly huddled togeth-
er by the geartearing stop Of the car.
With an impatient explosive italian
word. Rlvol sprang up Suddenly,
With his face gone TO a sicklv pallOr.
his Jaw dropping til his mouth caped
0ncn no sank back weakly upon the
cushions.
-ah-ah-" he mumbled unintel.
'gihly. and then sat In quaking 81.
tncc
( Come on there. the three Of yOu--
ny 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
panting car
Rivoli's hands went weakly trem-
bling above his head Dolly In quiet
fear. never taking her eyes from Ar.
nolds profile. showing as ne half turn.
% obediently raised her daintily
gloved hands Arnold fumbled for q
moment somewhere about the car.
and then too shot mp 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
of her gloves. For the first time she
seemed to notice Rivoli and a glance
Of contempt was his share.
The first bright ring came on with
out difficulty. but the second brought
forth an oath and cruel wrench. In.
voluntarily little cry escaped from
between Dolly's clench ed teeth.
Quick as a flash 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 ferceness Of the
cold rage in Arnold's face The heavy
wrench flashed IN bright in the moon.
light and then came crashing down.
The leader sank down without a
grOan With 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 a 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 huckled under
him and he sank down in a huddled
heap
II was Dolly who bore the greater
part Of the burden OF lifting the wourd-
ed man and propnlng him up on the
cushions In the tcnneau. Her hands
were the Dnes that held the wheel in
the mad ride back to the city. To pc
liremen who signaled her TO slow IN
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