The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-01

exciting" Charlie said. "But you
haven't told me your nume or where
II can see you after this thing is
over"
The girl gave him a swift, side.
long glance.
I'm afraid you'll never want to
see me again after this is over" she
Isatd rather pathetically.
"Yes, I will" declared Charlie
emphatically.
mo matter what happens?"
YES"
For a moment the girl looked at
him as though appraising him. This
inspection seemed to be satisfac.
tory for she smiled at the end OF
1T.
my name is Grace" she said.
"And II you've got a paper and pen
ell I'll give you my phone mum.
ber."
Charlie felt o treal thrill as he
took down the telephone number.
Was the girl telling him the truth?
Would be ever see her again? He
devoutly hoped that he would.
I For some little time they raced
out into the country. Abruptly tho
girl turned into a side road and q
moment later stopped before a dc.
serted looking house.
This is the place." said the girl,
What next?" smiled Charlie.
IL don't Know" said the girl.
t"0h, l wish | was out OF it. T."
She turned to Charlie with n
queer look in her eyes. What was
she thinking Of? What was behind
this queer adventure?
Charlie had slight time to specu.
late on these questions. Almost
on the instant the car was sur
rounded by ten or a dozen silent,
black.masked men. A burly iudi
vidual, who seemed to be the lead.
or beckoned to Charlie to step out.
Charlie looked at the girl. Her
face was ayerted. For u moment
he hesitated and. fear caught at his
heart. Then the burly leader caught
at him and pulled him from the car,
Once Charlie was out OF the car
he was Immediately blindEolded,
bound and gagged. Then he was
pushed forward.
Some one struck him In the face.
Charlie lurched forward, angry and
puzzled. Some one hit him in the
back. Now thoroughly aroused,
Charlie began fighting roughly. No
one fought back. Silence still pre-.
vailed. Then some one tripped him.
Charlie fell, saw u million stars and
went into Inconsistencies.
When Charlie finally came to
himself he found his bonds were
less tight than he had expected.
He managed to get them Of and
remove his blindfold and gag. He
was lying on the ground in front
of the deserted house. No one was
visible.
Slowly and painfully Charlie got
to his feet and started walking
toward town. Through his mind
Just one question seethed aud tor.
trred him. Had the girl told him
the truth. or would he never see
her agaIn?4
Some days later a bunch OF Char.
lies friends gave him a dinner on
the occasion Of his birthday. The
toastmaster was Ed Cunningham, a
burly individual.
Here's to Charlie" said Ed,
when It came time to the toasts.
HE wanted excitement and we
gave 1t to him. Charlie, your luck
hasn't turned yet. The gang that
gagged you and roped you and
blindfolded you was this bunch.
There isn't any excitement in life
for you yet. The mysterious girl
was only my sister, Grace"
Charlie rose slowly to his feet
while the crowd laughed and
cheerd. Charles face was flush.
cd, his eyes sparkling.
I'm not kicking at what you fell.
lows did, he said. 81 simply want
to say my luck has changed. I've
never been so xcIted tn.my life as
have been recently. I've never
been go thrilled as I was today"
This statement seemed to sur.
prise the crowd, For q moment
there was silence.
flows that, Gharlie?" queried
Cunningham. "Tell US about It."
''It's simply that" Charlie re-
sponded. I've fallen In love and to-
day the girl promised to marry
mel"
"who's the gtrl'" cried the
sItss eraee-Ed cunn3nsbans