The St. Charles herald., 1922-10-07

IL
I'm a gentleman"
$50 do I-or wouldn't have danced
with YOU"
''Then please"
"Pardon me-" She had laid hand
on his arm for just a moment, then
hurried away. Fairchild saw that she
was approaching young Rodaine'
scowling in the background. That per-
son shot an angry remark at her as
she approached and followed it with
streaming sentences. Fairchild knew
the reason. Jealousy! Couples. re-
turning from the dance floor, jostled
against him, but he did not move. He
was waiting-waiting for the outcome
of the quarrel-and in moment II
came. Anita Richmond turned swiftly.
her dark eyes ablaze, her pretty lips
set and firm. She looked anxiously
about her, sighted Fairchild. and then
started toward him, while he advanced
to meet her.
"Yes," was her brief announcement.
'Tll dance the next one with you"
"And the next after that"
Again: "Selfish!"
But Fairchild did not appear to
hear.
A third dance and q fourth, while
in the intervals Fairchild's eyes sought
out the sulkA sullen form OF Maurice
Rodaine. fattened against the wall,
eyes evil, mouth straight line, and
the blackness Of hate discoloring his
face. It was as so much wine to Fair
child; he felt himself really young for
the first time in his life. And as the
music started again, he once more
| turned to his companion.
Only, however, to halt and whirl
| and stare in surprise. There had come
| a shout from the doorway, booming,
| commanding:
"'Ands up, everybody! And quick
about it,"
Some one laughed and jabbed his
hands into the air. Another, quickly
sensing a staged surprise, followed the
example. 1t was just the finishing
touch necessary-the old-time hoid-ur
| of the old-time dance. The "banCit
strobe forward.
"Out from be'ind that bar! DROP
that gun z" he commanded Of the white
aprOned attendant. "Out from tina,
roulette wheel. Everybody line up
Ouick-and there amt no time fol
fOolin'"
Chattering and laughing. they
obeyed, the sheriff, his star cleaning
standing out in front of them all, shiv
ering in mock fright. bis hands highe,
| than any ones. The bandit, both re
volyers leveled, stepped forward foo1
or so, and again ordered speed. A
bandanna handkerchief was wrapped
about his head, concealing his hair anf
ears. A mask was over his eyes, sup
plemented by another bandanna
which, beginning at the bridge of hi
nose, flowed over his chin, cutting of
all possible chance of recognition
Only a second more he waited. then
with q wave of the guns, shouted hi:
command:
"All right, everybody! I'm decen
fellow. Don't want much. but wan
| it quick. This 'ere's for the relief O
widders and orphans. Make 1t sudden
Each one OF you gents step out to th'
center Of the room and leave five dol
4 lars. And step back when you've pu
| It there. Ladies stay where YOU'RE
atl''
i Again a laugh. Fairchild turned t
| his companion, as she nudged him
"There, it's your tur7."
out to the center OF the floor wen
Fairchild, the rest Of the victim
laughing and chiding him. Back h
came in mock fear. his hands IN tn
air. On down the line went the con
tributing men. Then the bandit rushe'
forward. gathered up the bilts and gol
pieces, showed them In l.is pockets
and whirled toward the door.
.uThe purpose of this ere will be /
the paper tomorrow" he announced
sAnd don't you follow me to find out
Back, there !" s
. Two or three laughing men ha
started forward. among them fiddle
VINO had Joined the line. and who no.
! rushed out in Haunting bravery, brand
, ishing his violin as though to brain tn
. intruder. Again the command:
i "Back, there-get back !"
Then the crowd rec0iled. Flashe
, had come from the masked mans gun
, the popping Of electric light globt
} above and the showering OF glass te
tifying to the fact that they had col
J ,tained something more than mere wa'
/ ding. Somewhat dazed, the fiddler COZ
!. | tinued his rush, suddenly to crump
/ and fall. while men milled and woine
i screamed. A door slammed. the lot
5 clicked. and the crowd rushed for Il
!. windows. The hoIdup had been re-
! | after all-instead Of planned. jokir
i nffair. On the floor the fiddler Ia
i / gasping-and bleeding. And the ba
| dit was gone.
Z All in a moment the dance ma
. seemed to have gone mad. Men wel
' rushing about and shouting; PAM
stricken women ciawed 1T one anoth'
' and fought their way toward IRE
1 dom they could not gain. Windov
Y crushed as forms hurled against then