The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-11

\. One could not have told which
came tirst-the sound OF the pis-
Itol shot or the cat-like leap OF Paul
Upon the footpad's back. The
man let out a snarl Of rage as
both OF them went down together
TO the pavement. Paul felt as
though he were fighting d. threShs
Ing machine. Flail like the fellows
arms and legs flew around, with.
out skill, but with the force OF.
oaken bars.
Meantime Barray. playing for a
chance to. land a blow on the foot.
pad Without striking Paul, felt
Violet 1urch heavily against him.
He turned just in time TO catch her
as she was falling. In his arms
she tainted dead away-And on.
his hands was-blood.
Managing somehow to hold her,
he tore Off his coat and propped
rher.-against It on a step. At the
motion she revived a little open
ed her eyes
"violet! Oh. ma chere-" burst
from BarEay.
i flush its nothing. only a tiny
hurt. Help him!"
A swift glance at the two men
in their desperate clasp showed
Barray that the robber still had
hold OF the gun and that only
Paul's fast slipping grasp OF his
wrist kept him from firing. Bar
ray made a little swoop, grabbed
the fellows arm and twisted It
Fbohind bis back until with a groah
tot pain lre dropped the weapon. /.
Barray's shouts and whistles at
.5ast attracted attention and from
somewhere came the sound OF run
ming feet-a few frightened .ctti-
gems and a pair OF gendarmes
The a t-eyed man seemed well.
known to them. Jack. the For;
eigner" he was called, and voluble
were the expressions OF satisfac-'
ton at getting him.
A cab was found and Violet.
taken by Barray and Paul to a
doctor a few streets off.
The bullet had evidently passed,
between her arm and body, hardly;
moreSthan grazing the latter.
Relief at learning she was only
slightly hurt released. Paul:sr
thoughts with sharp agony to-hfs
own problem.
Violet" be spoke gently, but
It was plain he was half mad with
anxiety, GIVE not time now to talk
as ] would want to you. But I
must demand a disavowal OFF
what you insinuated about my wife
and-Barray here. | didn't believe
you. But when l find Polly l want
to tell her you didn't believe II
"No-1 didn't believe IT, not
really! I was-hysterical. Dis
traught with But ! can't tell you
now. Some time ! will. l only hope
I've done no harm"
Paul flung up his head in a ges.
ture OF bitterness and despair.
God knows!" he said, and went
swiftly from the doctors snutfy
little office into the graying streets.
One cry kept ringing through his
brain-'Polly! Oh, my sirl-Polly.
Polly, pray God l find you sate!"
Violet and Barray, left alone. fell
silent.
The cab still waited outside. Its
thrunming suddenly broke the
tension between them.
TAKE me home, George"
you feel fable, cherie?" "
"PerfectlyiAiI want to CO."
When she was settled In the taxi
not leaning Imply in his arms, but
gamely erect IN her oorner-Bar.
ray regarded her with a queer, AM
alytica1 smile.
"He was right. the little doctor
l-yop are brave beyond words. But
it was mad Of you, VI, to risk your
life Just to, save US from being
robbed Of a few dollars. a Jewel OF
She looked at him With the
same puzzled expression as on the
night before when he had come 10
her HAT. And again her Iangh-a
hard laugh. that turned the In
GraMn breath into 4. sish. sbs
lleanenS hefEhead back, cl6sIne