Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-12-30

uieIt--Diut-gFuy' MIA fM4 &
On one side Of her sat a swarthy,
mean-vlsaged individual, a common
subway type On the other sat q
puffy-faced gentleman, reading his
newspaper. Collins had totally for.
gotten the girl BY the time the train
stopped at Brooklyn bridge.
Suddenly his attention was drawn
to her" BY" hearing her exelaim In a
low, well-modulated voice, but express
siye Of intense scorh: Hi
"Will you kindly stop pressing my
arm, slr?"
His nerves were already tingling.
This slight incident completely upset
his equilibrium. He saw the puffy
faced man. who had begun to look
exceedingly uncomfortable. apparent
ly attempting to conceal himself be-
hind his newspaper. Collins leaped
forward and dragged the puffy-faced
man from his seat. Holding him by
the collar with one hand he delivered
clean uppercut with the free fist,
and had the satisfaction Of landing
squarely upon the pury-faced mans
optic. ft.sas aa,
Instantly the car was In an uproar.
Collins found himself the center Of q
mass Of struggling humanity. A man
was clapping him on the shoulder and
shouting approvingly. "Well done,
young fellow" he exclaimed. aThat's
the way we southerners would do.
Give him what he deserves I"
Collins worked himself free and
tried to help the girl through the
throng. He reached her and offered
her his arm. She declined 1t indig.
nantly, and Collins, crestfallen. fol-
lowed her to the car door, where he
was at once seized by a gray-coated
subway guard.
Hold him" yelled the puny.faced
man, who, hatless and coatless, now
appeared on the scene. 'sThat's the
fellow that assaulted and tried to rob
me-"
Collins saw the girl stop suddenly,
hesitate, and then return impulsively
toward him. She laid her hand upon
his arm. .a.. lss.
mo, 1t is a mistake" she said. "This
gentleman tried to protect me against
q despicable fellow who was insulting
me, only-0nly-" ......s..- ISL f.
"Only he struck the wrong man."
she said. This gentleman was per-
fectly innocent" fel. A#
Innocent" snorted the puffy.faced
man. II should say that l am inno-
cent. am a family man, and can't
90 home with black eye. Besides,
I'm churchwarden. and there's moth
Ing In my life l have to conceal. My
name is Robert Il. Allison, president Of
the Western Manufacturing company,
and the little influence that l have
shall use to see that this young black
guard gets the punishment he de-
serves" Hsu fsu
Collins was thunderstruck ut this
piece Of information. Surely fate had
dealt very hardly with him. The puffy
faced man, who had now adjusted his
coat and hat, did not look much like
a prospective employer.
"Mr. Allison he said lmpulsively.
II don't care for myself. but II you are
a gentleman you will let me get this
lady out Of this crowd. Won't you &C.
cept my humble apologiesf My name
is Collins-Frank Collins, and / was
on my way downtown to apply to you
for position. lose the position;
let US call the account even"
you are Mr.. Allison T. exclaimed
the girl. "Why, am Grace LOOMS,
and l was on my way to your office In
answer to your letter to call concern
Ing a private secretaryship."
There was an awful silence. Col
Inns dared not look up. The crowd
was melting away; the three stood
there together, for even the guard, see-
Ing the turn matters were taking, had
wisely gone about his business. Sud-
denly roar burst from Allison's lips.
Good Lord, that's one on me !" he
said. II can't afford to have II get
about that I was mauled by one Of
my employees to punish me for in
sultlng my secretary. Besides, l need
you both to give evidence to my wife
about my eye. Come on down to my
Office and wen adjust matters. Mr..
your first official act will be |
to buy me an eye-plaster. You're q
clean-cut man, sir, and clean upper.
cut man, too. You're both engaged"
But somehow there was lurking
double meaning In that last word that |
made Miss LOomls blush.