The Washington herald., 1922-01-08

oddly enough Nancy found herself trem-
bling q little. She WAS not frightened. she
assured herself scornfully, though it was
lonely here. She didn't care what his old
reasons were, she wanted to 90 on and get
away from him. Just the same she could
not seem to move a muscle, but could only
look at him with eyes that in spite of her
self showed something of fright.
'Oh, you needn't be afraid" he said
quickly. misunderstanding what he saw.
You are not in any danger now. i only
want to tell you some things and then ] will
co." He waited a moment and then plunged
ahead.
MY name is really David Rodgers and
do live in Bras6eld. just as Mrs. Hollis
said. That part of it is all true. But awhile
ago I got a notion that the world wasn't
treating me exactly right. 1 couldn't seem
to make enough money to live the way |
wanted to. and set out to help myself.
A good many of US who were in the army
get these wild notions in our heads now
udays, and it is a good deal easier to be
reckless than it used to be. The papers were
fun Of these hold up stories. and the idea
came to me that 1t would be an easy way
Of getting money if fellow were only clever
enough"
LIS voice was running on in a dogged sort
IL Of monotone. and in spite Of the things
he was saying, Nancy had a fleeting wish that
she could stop him and tell him he needn't
say any more. But she could not find a
word to say.
II laughed at the notion at first he went
hut 10 lar b.n
I happened to want some money badly.
So I took my car and went out to a rather
lonely place knew Of on the road. hid
my car behind some trees 'and waited till a
big car came along and jumped out in front
of it with my gun on the driver. ! had not
thought to put on any old clothes or to make
myself seem like criminal. All / did was
to put a handkerchief over my face Maybe
that made difference, don't know. Any
how, the people in the car hardly said word.
just gave up their money as l told them to.
and when | let them go, drove away as fast
as they could. Of course, there was lot
of talk. and the police were put on the
track. But by the time they had reached a
police station l was back in town, by an
other road driving leisurey around as was
accustomed to do. Nobody ever suspected
for q minute that had anything to do
with it.
That was the beginning of it, found
after while that most people would not stop
unless they had to, so took to putting my
car across the road OF course, it was TAX
ing a big chance, but was more reckless
now than ever, and Somehow I got away
with 1t for a good while. ID.
always before that night had let the
women in the cars alone, just demanded
money and took what was handed out 1t is
surprising how easily men give up their
money when they are looking at "a gun.
When 1 saw your car full Of girls i was
just about to tell you to drive on when you
turned on me, and that made me want to
go through with it. So took the rings and
disappeared" &C.,, ..-
For a minute Rodgers stopped and drew
long breath, as though he was glad that
much of the ordeal was over Nancy simply
sat still and looked at him. Her mind was in
q turmoil, but she, did not seem ITO know
what to say. So she said nothing After a
bit he went on: ~, r, r..
when got home that night there was
something the matter with me. = was A
little bit ashamed of bothering a crowd Of
girls, and wished hadn't done it. didn't
want their rings and there was nothing /
could do with them. But back of that / rec
ognized something else. l could not ger
away from your face as you sat there 50
angry and scornful, and vet so queerly alive
to.the adventure of the thing, as tnougn you
were suddenly finding something you had
been looking fer.'' ~, =.