The Hope pioneer., 1922-10-12

if you'll forgive it. I-believe that
I'm Il gentleman.">
$50 do I-or wouldn't have danced
with YOU"
"Then please"
pardon me-" She had laid hand
on his arm for just 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 it
came. Anita Richmond turned swiftly.
her dark eyes ablaZe, her pretty lips
set and firm. She looked anxiously
about her, sighted Falrchild, and then
started toward him, while he advanced
to meet her.
"Yes," was her brief announcement.
"1'll dance the next one with YOU"
"And the next after that?"
Again: "Selfish!"
But Fairchild did not appear to
hear.
A third dance and fourth, while
in the intervals Farclild's eyes sought
out the sullSy, sullen form of Maurice
Rodaine, flattened against the wall,
eyes evil, mouth a straight line, and
the biackness of hate discoloring his
face. 1t 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
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 hold-up
Of the old-time dance. The bandit"
strobe forward,
"Out from be'ind that bar! Drop
that gun!" he commanded of the white
aproned attendant. "Out from that
roulette wheel. Everybody line up!
Quick-and there amt no time for
foolin'."
Chattering and laughing, they
obeyed, the sheriff, his star cleaning
standing out in front of them all, shiv-
ering in mock fright, his 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 second more he waited, then,
with wave of the guns, shouted his
command:
"All right, everybody! I'm decent
fellow. Don't want much, but l want
it quick! This 'ere's for the relief of
widders and orphans. Make 1t 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 nut
it there. Ladies stay where you're
atw
Again laugh. Fairchild turned to
his companion, as she nudged him.
There, it's your turn"
Out to the center of the floor went
Fairchild, the rest of the victims
laughing and chiding him. Back he
came in mock fear. his hands in the
air. On down the line went the con-
tributing men. Then the bandit rushed
forward, gathered up the bills and gold
pieces, showed them in lis 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, there!"
Two or three laughing men had
started forward, among them fiddler,
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 commands:
"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-
tanned 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 planned, joking
affair. On the floor the fiddler lay
gasping-and bleeding. And the ban.
dit was gone.
All in moment the dance hall
seemed to have gone mad. Men were
rushing about and shouting; panic.
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