The Washington herald., 1916-06-18

take back what you said about that
Here and now. Take it back"
Il"
Here, you fellows" called a clerk.
I'VE don't want any scrapping in this
store"
There's not going to be any scrapping,
Max" said Tom Blake, because he's
going to take 1t back"
u"
! IF you think I'm afraid of you"
scoffed Harry.
"I don't think so. I know It," replied
Tom. Take back what you said about
my sneakins."
"oh-oh, pshaw, I take it back"
growled Harry, his glance shifting be-
fore the coldly steady blaze of the quiet
eyes that looked into his. Anything for
peace!"
Tom nodded and turned away. The
boys, with their sign. presently trooped
out. Tom watched a minute or so longer.
then left the store. He came face to face
with Marjorie. who was entering.
| "Oh, I'm SO glad you got my note"
said the girl. as their hands met. II
was afraid you'd be away from home or
| something. Which direction shall we
walk?"
As she talked they had fallen into
step and were crossing the street Before
they could decide further as to their d.
rection an uproar a half block below
brought them to an abrupt halt They
turned to locate the turmoil.
A hundred feet away, under the glare of
an electric light, knot Of six or seven
people were engaged in a decidedly live
ly tussle. One of the group was a police
man. Tom, at a glance, understood the
stuat ation.
They were going to hang an under
takers sign under DR.. Lentz's name"
he explained to Marjorie. "and that cop
must have caught them at 1t and tried
l up. the idiots! That's mean a night in
the 'hoosgow' for some Of them. They
Tom" she cried. shrilly. "oh. Tom!
One of them is Harry"
Yes" said Tom, without interest. "1
see it is"
Butch, he is always getting into
trouble she went on. Hes certain
to be arrested. And Dad will never for
give him. He said If Harry ever got
into another scrape he Tom, please
please, for my sake, go over and get
him away
"But-but-'
please. dear" she entreatea
l And, stirred by the hint OF tears in
her entreaty. he reluctantly obeyed. Run
ming across the street. he plunged into
the jostling group. arriving Just as Harry
on the back of the neck
II "Get away from this" ordered Tom,
| seizing Harry's arm and finging him
back out OF the struggle.
As he did so, the policeman turned to
grapple with the man who had struck
him. Tom was where Harry had been
standing and the bluecoat grabbed him.
Harry, seeing what had happened yelled.
Beat it, boys! Here come the re-
serves"
In moment the group had scattered,
leaving Tom a captive. Tom made no
resistance. saying merely:
You've got hold Of the wrong chap
officer Another case of arresting the
innocent bystander"
You're the lad that hit me" declared
the policeman. puffing from his hard hght
'1ll swear to that. Come along"'
Marjorie. seeing her lovers plight. ran
across the street to his rescue. Before
she could reach him Harry darted out Of
the shadows and caught hold Of her
hand.
Come away from this he said harsh
ly. and come quick. I'm not going 70
have my sister mixed up in police court
case"
But. Harry she exclaimed, fghttn.s
to free herself and to rejoin Tom. He'll
be arrested. He"
Serve him right! The bullying prig"
'I must"
You must come home with me-" rough
Ily interposed Harry, still propelling the
resisting girl along by sheer force. 10
you don't, I'll tell Dad you were with Tom
Blake after you'd been ordered not to.
And you can figure out for yourself what
Dad will do, then"
You wouldn't be so nean-so cow
hardly"
Cut out calling me names. That's
Just what I'll DOLL tell Dad-H you say
one word to clear that Blake prtg. I'm
not going to get In bad at hornS for this
shindig. Besides. Blake's got coming
to him."
4 Weeping. she surrendered; fear over
coming loyalty.
The university towns two morning pa
pers next day contained lurid accounts
of what they termed "a student riot
and they added the information that
;, Thomas Cowperthwaite Blake, a senior
at the university, had been the ringleader
and had been arrested for assaulting Of
dcer Hutch. Also, that the magistrate
had taken pity on Blake's youth and on
his family's social standing and had let
him off with a suspended sentence
When Tom, after a hideous scene at
I home. went to the university he found
a summons to report at once to the Office
Of the insutution'e president To the
OlspledseQ IOrn
merely said
II Aad nothing to do with the fight
I was on the other side OF the street
when I first saw It. I tried to get an
acquaintance out OF danger. And. in
the scrimmage I was caught and ar
: rested. I give you my word I had no
part IN any Of the rest Of it"
: None of them ever has" said the pres
dent. They are always innocent"
Il hope, SIR" answered Tom, you are
not implying that I haven't told you the
truth"
Il am implying nothing" said the pres
ident. IF you are really innocent you
probably have witnesses 20 prove 1t. You
say you were on the other side of the
street when you first saw the fight. Were
you alone?"
No, sir
Then surely the person or persons
with you can prove your innocence"
Yes. sir, If necessary. Though I
don't like to bring her into this I was
with lady. II you will let me go into
your telephone booth there and call her
up, I viii tell her you wish to ask her
a few questions over the phone. You can
prove my story then. But beg you
will not let her name be mentioned out
side in connection with this"
IT agree to that" assented the presi-
dent,