The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-09-21

ran forward and found Boyce, Nadine
and the supposed cabman standing
with uplifted hands beside the vehicle
while masked desperate threatened
them with pistol and second robber
demanded their valuables.
Now Drace played his part right
gaiiantly. rushing upon the robbers
with uplifted cane. The fellow with
the pistol fired once-then blow on
the wrist from Drace's stick sent the
weapon flying. The pain Of the blow
enraged the fellow. however. and as
Drace made at the second robber, the
first one struck him heavily, momen-
tarily dazing him. The two supposed
robbers now took to their heels, pur-
sued half-heartedly by Cabman Shottle
and energetically by Boyce, who had
been robbed in good earnest. And
to complete the melee, the poor cab
horse, frightened by the pistol-shot,
galloped of with the ramshackle We
hicle lurching behind 1t.
Nadine turned to Draee, her face
lighted with gratitude. She held forth
her hand. With a grace that would
not have Knocked a Highlander who,
schooled in France, had followed home
the Queen of Scots, he bent over II
and reverently touched 1t with his
lips. Wild was her nature. this half
barbaric maid, and she snatched her
hand away, but repenting instantly,
smiled and spoke.
Il thank you much. You are brave.
You are like one on the stage, the
hero"
Her words came freely and with
just enough of accent to convince that
they were sweeter than If there were
none. Drace asked her if she remem-
bered him. and her black velvet eyes
flashed dark in astonishment.
"How could 1 when never have L
seen your You must mistake me.
No."
II saw you on the boat, at the bali
at the st. Louis" Drace said. But
come to think OF II, know that 1t
would be vanity on my part to believe
that you have seen me-"
mo, 1t would not be vanity" pleas
antly she contradicted him, shaking
her head, her cloud Of hair. 1.-THE
brave do not be vain. but did not see
you. I am SO sorry. You sorry, too.
ha?"
She laughed. and Drace thought that
never till that moment had he heard
music in its sweetest purity. Then
Boyce and Shottle returned, painting
Shottle to disappear again in pursuit
of his vanished vehicle.
"Sir, thank you most heartily for
your assistance" said Boyee, grasping
Braces hand. my name is Boyce-
Rupert Boyce. May +"
Mine, sir, is Virgil Drace," respond
ed that young man. II am only too
glad to have been Of help. I'm afraid,
however, you'll have to finish your
journey on foot. May have the pleas
ure of walking with your
This suggestion. however, Boyce de-
clined. And although Drace insisted
as far as the bounds Of courtesy would
permit. both Boyce and the girl evad-
ed consent. And they left him stand
ing thunderstruck on the street corner
for the girl had said, giving him her
hand again In parting: II thank you
once more for your help. Mr.. Drace.
hope may see you again some time.
Ny name is Nadine la vitte, and am
often In New Orleans"
Drace passed an uneasy night. his
mind torn by his suspicion that Nadine
la Vitte was the daughter Of old Ste
pho. And when Liberty came 10 his
room next morning. eager for praise
and reward, the truth came out. Ma
dine was indeed the daughter OF old
Stepho; Liberty had overheard enough
while disguised as the cabman to con-
firm that. But where she lived In New
Orleans, Liberty had failed to learn;
he had planned to drive them home,
but the runaway of the cab horse had
sent that plan agley.
frTo ho COpfipnoIl