The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-05-04

BY HARRISON CHASE,

believe in the peace-at-any-pric pol
ICY"
Stanton smiled ever so slightly at
her word@.
Don't you think that sometimes it
is absolutely necessary to fight?" he
asked.
mo" She shook her head decisive
ly. "There is no reason in the world
why men should fight one another"
"But supposing a tramp or some
rough character should meet me on a
country road and demand my money.
Wouldn't it be wise thing if l were
in position to protect myself?"
"You could probably get better re-
suits by being kind to him." she re-
torted. "You could ask him to tell |
you how he sank so low as to be a
common theft"
"Yes, l could" He smiled grimly.
"But l have faint idea that he would
be more interested in taking my purse
than he would in answering ques-
TONS"
ITS all in the way you do it," she
said wisely. II have yet to meet
man I couldn't handle by diplomacy"
The heavy roadster gllded rhyth-
mically along the even road. Over
the rim of distant hill, glorious colors
streaked the sky, signifying the end
of a perfect day. Tom blessed the
good fortune that had permitted him
to take Doris home in his car. The
long drive to Glenwood was almost
30 Lat
him see her again-and he was salts
fed.
For a time they drove along without
speaking. Gradually the sunset faded
until single star peeped out from the
darkening sky. Tom switched on the
lights.
"Well," he said finally, Il was heavy
weight boxing champion in college"
He stole glance at her. Il hope that
doesn't make you like me any the
less"
Il never said that l liked you at
ALL" she parted. "But 1 hope that
you'll forget your boxing lessons when
you're with me-"
The road sloped suddenly into a
deep valley. On both sides stretched
wood through which a noisy stream
rippled. The glaring light from the
car blazed path for them. The way
was deserted. But suddenly, when
they were still about fifty yards from
the bridge, a man stepped out from
the shadow of the trees to the right
Planting himself squarely in the mid
die of the road he held up his hand.
Stanton threw on the brakes and came
to halt.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Get out"
The stranger spoke harshly. He was
a large man with full beard and evil
eyes. He spoke ~determinedly. His
voice was menacing. Stanton refused
to permit himself to become alarmed.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Never mind what l want. You get
out of that car" The stranger reached
into his pocket and drew forth some
thing which glittered in the light from
the car.
Doris seized her companions arm.
1--WE might just as well get out" he
said 'The man is armed
following. Then he faced the tramp.
"What next?' he asked.
"Throw up your hands!'
"And if refused"
"I'll shoot you"
The stranger raised his arm threat
eningly, and again the CLINT OF steel
flashed. Stanton, his eyes following
every move of the man before him
suddenly smiled.
''Shootl" he said.
"Oh, don'tr' Doris turned fear-fillec
eyes to her companion.
Stanton spoke without taking Ms
eyes from the man.
do you mind stepping aside for
moment, Miss Atkinson?" he asked. y
can take care Of this fellow easily"
He spoke confidently, and the girl
sensing his confidence, stepped to th'
side of the car.
"Put your hands up, tell you.' TIT
tramp advanced threateningly.
Then something happened. A hare
fist struck his hand and Knocked l
upward; something which felt ike
club slammed into his face. With
groan the would-be robber sank to tn
ground.
Stanton turned to the girl.
Hell be all right in few minutes,
he announced. "Supposing we driv'
on before he wakes up"
In another moment they were gliding
serenely down the road. The lights o
Glenwood cleaned in the near dis
lance. Stanton slowed down the ca
percepubly; he was loath to complete
the trip. Suddenly he glanced at tn
girl, an amused light In his eyes.
''Do you still believe in peace at an.
price?" he asked.
NO" she answered frankly. y
don't. In the last ten minutes I've be
come an ardent advocate of prepared
ness"
Copyright, 1917. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate.)