The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-10-05

80 do I--or wouldn't have danced
with you"
"Then please--"
'Pardon me-" She hnd laid hand
on his arm for just moment then
hurried away. Farchid saw that she
was approaching young hounine,
scowling IN the background. That peIt
son shot an nngry remark at her ns
she approached and followed II with
streaming sentences. Fairchild knew
the reason. Jealousy Couples, re-
turning from the dance floor, jostled
against him, but he did not move lie
was waiting waiting for the outcome
Of the quarrel-and in "A moment II
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.
"Tll dance the next one with you"
"And the next after that?'
Again: "Splhsh!"
But Fairchlld did not appear to
hear.
A thINl dance and fourth, while
In the intervals Fairchild's eyes sought
ont the sulky, sullen form Of Maurice
Rodnlne flattcned against the wall.
eyes evil. mouth n straight line, and
the binckness of hate dlScolorlng his
face. II was as so much wine to Fair
- 4,
the first time In his life And as the
music started again, he once more
turned 70 his companion.
Only, however, to halt and whrl
and stare In surprise. There had come
shout from the doorway, booming,
commanding:
"'Ands up, everybody! And quick
about ltw
Some one laughed and jnbbed his
hands into the air. Another, quickly
sensing n staged surprise, followed the
example II was Just the finishing
touch necessnry-the old-time hold-up
Of the old-tlme dance. The bandit"
strobe forward.
"Out from be'Ind that bart Drop
that gun !" he commanded of the white.
aproned attendant. "Out from that
roulette wheel. Everybody line up!
Qulck-and there amt no time for
foolln'"
Chattering and laughing they
obeyed, the sheriff, his star cleaning,
standing out In front of them all, shiv-
erlng in mock fright. his hands higher
than any ones. The bandit, both re-
volyers leveled, stepped forward foot
or so, and again ordered speed. A
handannn handkerchief was wrapped
about his head, concealing his hair and
ears mask was over his eyes, sup
plemented by another bandanna.
which, BEGINNING at the bridge Of his
nose, flowed over his chin, cutting OFT
all possible chance of recognition.
only second more he waited, then,
with n wave of the guns, shouted his
command:
"All right. everybody I'm decent
fellow. Don't want much, but | want
It quick This 'eres 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 put
II there. Ladies' stay where you're
att
Again laugh. Fairchild turned tn
his companion, as she nudged him.
There, it's your tura."
out to the center of the floor went
Is.l1,lfI1 Of
laughing and chidlng 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 mp the bils' and gold
pieces, showed them in lis pockets,
ana whirlcd toward the door.
"The purpose of this ere viii he I'm
the paper tomorrow" he announced,
"And don't you follow me 10 find out /!
Back, therer
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
isIhlng his violin rs though TO brain thu
intruder, Again the command!
Back, there-g2t back!'
Then the crowd recoiled. FLASH,
had come from the masked mans guTs
the popping Of electric light globes
above and the shOwerlng Of glass tsS.
! tifying TO the fact that they had con
tanned something more than mere wRd.
| ding. Somewhat d0zed, the fiddler con
| tinued his rush, suddenly tO crumplc
aud 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 ley
gasping-and bleeding. And the ban
dit was gone.
All in u moment the dance bah
seemed to have gone mad, Men We're
rushing about and shouting; panic
stricken women clawed al one another
ana fought their way toward u free
dom they could not gain Windows