Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-09

The chauffeur swiftly turned his car
and sped IL along the river bank rond
toward q bridge that spanncd tho
stream mile below. The cripple. at
the same time, saw Clayton fish Il coil
Of strong. light rope out from the tool
box.
Next moment the car was shut off
from sight by row OF watcrside
trees.
Tho cripple once again looked fur
lively ut Tanner and Morrison
Then stealthily he drew Il gold pen
knife from one Of his ragged pockets
again making certain that the otnerY
were not looking back. he slashed the
cords that bound tho girls ankles and
wrists. He also united the gags knot.
Florence. dumfounded at the ac-
ton OF the cripple. nevertheless took
her cue from him. She made no move?
mcnt and forcbode 10 cry out. Yet
She looked at her crippled ally In
wondering inquisi,ivencss. AS she
looked she saw him glance intentlv
at something far In front, and almost
inperceptibiy point with one grimy
finger.
She followed with her ewes ,hc d.
rection he indicated. At some little
distance ahead Of them she saw tho
span Of bridge. A motor car was
just drawing TO halt in the center
of the span.
a man sprang from the car and hur-
rlcoiy accosted two policemen who
were crossing the structure jus, ahead
Of them.
She recognized tho man. even a. that
distance. as Bob Clayton.
clayton now was Joined BY Dr. Mon
,rose. who got out OF the car, and bv
tho chauffeur. In Bobs hands Flor
ence could sec the coil of rope
lie began to knot one end of tho
con around his wrist Then he handed
the rope to the others explaining
rapidly to them.
After which he swung himself over
the bridge parapct. The other low,
cred him. hand over hand. while with
one arm ne gripped the taut rome IN
steudy himself.
Florence could endure the suspcnsa
no longer. She leaped 10 her feet
shri"kinG piercinTiy 10 her father
Morrison. whirlnE aboutland seeing her
standing there unbound. left the wheel
ana ran back TO seize her. Tanner
enuent mold or the abandoned wheel as
Morrison reached the girl. JUS, ,hcn
one or the cripple's cru,ches somehow
got between Morrison's feet. He stag
Ecreu- Before he could recover his
ooiance Florence struck him in the face
WIN all her why young strength. He
rcf!eh' wholly lost his wavering bal
ancc and sp!ashed overheard
Here. yelled Tanner 10 tho GRIN
pa" as he started back toward the
stern. Take the wheel. III"
inc cripple, who had made az though
10 obey. lurchcd against Florence. lost
his own balance az she rcpulscd him
ana fell helpless into the bottom ~
the boat.
~ the Same instant Florence was
caught around the waist by two en-
c'reling arms. The boat was drifting
Under the bridge. And she had come
within Clayton's reach.
The men above. as they saw Rob
catch her began TO pull up the rope.
tanner, looking upward. saw what had
happened
That evening Harold Stanley called
70 the Montrose house full OF apoIo-
GIGS for forgetting his engagement 10
ride that afternoon with Florence
Inc girl. however. had far moro inn
portnn, things TO tell him, and sho
broke in on his apologies with the
story OF her own adventures.
can't Imagine vino the crirn,e
could have been she ended. "Hc
wasn't the man who rescued us rho
o'her night. ] never saw him before"
stanley made no reply. but an odd
look came into his dark eyes.
Go be continucd)