The Holbrook news., 1922-10-27

was waiting-waiting for the outcome of the quarrel-and in a moment it came. Anita Richmond turned swiftly. her dark eyes ablaze. her pretty lips set and firm. She looked anxlOusly about her, sighted Fairchild, and then started toward him, while he advanced to meet her.
 "Yes," was her brief announcement. "I'll dance the next one with you"
 And the next after that?"
 Again: "SelfishT
 But Fairchild did not appear to hear.
 A third dance and fourth, while in the intervals FairchIld's eyes sought out the sulky, sullen form of Maurice Rodaine. flattened 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 Q shout from the doorway, booming, commanding:
 "'Ands up. everybody! And quick about itl"
 Some one laughed and jabbed his hands into the air. Another, quickly sensing a staged surprise. followed the example. It was just the finishing touch necessary-the old-time hold-up of the old-time dance. The bandit" strode forward.
 "Out from beind that bar! Drop | that gun !" he commanded of the white aproned attendant. Out from that roulette wheel. Everybody line up, Quick-and there ain't no time for foolin'."
 Chattering and laughing. they | obeyed, the sheriff, his star gleaming. standing out in front of them all, shiv- ering in mock fright. bis hands higher than any ones. The bandit, both re- volvers leveled, stepped forward foot or so. and again ordered speed. A bandanna handkerchief was wrapped about his head, cOncealing his hair and ears. A mask was over his eyes, sup plemented by another bandanna, which, beginning at the bridge of his nose, flowed over his chin, cutting off all possible chance of recognition. | Only a second more he waited, then, with a wave of the guns, shouted his command:
 "All right everybody I'm decent fellow. Don't want much, but I want it quick! This 'ere's for the relief of widders and orphans. Make It sudden. Each one of you gents step out to the center of the room and leave five dol lars. And step back when you've put it there. Ladies stay where you're atw
 Again a laugh. Fairchild turned to his companion, as she nudged him. ''There. its your turl."
 Out to the center ot the floor went Fairchild the rest of the victims laughing and ehidins him. Back he came in mock fear. his hands In the air. On down the line went the coli tributing men. Then the bandit rushed forward, gathered up the bills and gold pieces, showed them In his pockets and whirled toward the door. ''The purpose of this ere will be in the paper tomorrow" he announced And don't you follow me to find out, Back, therel"
 Two or three laughing men had esf, ,-rn or-d who had joined the line, and who now rushed out in Haunting bravery. brand ishing his violin as though to brain the intruder. Again the command:
 Back, there-get back !"
 Then the crowd recoiled. Flashes had come from the masked mans guns, the popping of electric light globes above and the showering of glass tes- tifying to the fact that they had con- tained something more than mere wad- ding. Somewhat dazed, the fiddler con- tinued his rush, suddenly to crumple and fall, while men milled and women screamed. A door slammed. the lock clicked, and the crowd rushed for the windows. The hOldup had been real after all-instead of a planned. joking affair. On the floor the fiddler lay gasping-and bleeding. And the ban dit was gone.
 All in a moment the dance hall seemed to have gone mad. Men were rushing about and shouting; panic stricken women clawed at one another and fought their way toward a free dom they could not gain. Windows crashed as forms hurried against them screams sounded. Hurriedly, us the crowd massed thicker, Fairchild raised the small form of Anita In his arms and carried her to a chair, far at one side.
 Its all right now,' he said. calming 1 her. "Everything's overlook. they're | helping the fiddler to his feet. Maybe | he's not badly hurt. Everything's all right"
 And then he strengthened. A man | had unlocked the door from the out | side and had rushed into the dance | hall. excited. shouting. It was Maurice | ROdaine.
 "I know who 1t was," he almost | screamed. "I got good look at him jumped out of the window and almost l headed him off. He took off his mask !! outside-and I saw him."
 You saw him-?" A hundred voices | shouted the question at once.
 "Yes." Then Maurice Rodaine nodded | straight toward Robert Fairchlld. "The 1 light was good. and l got straight look at him. He was that fellows | partner-a Cornishman they call |