The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-08-23


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. 70 halt and whirl
and stare in surprise There had come
a shout from the doorway. booming
commanding:
lands up. everybody! And quick
about it,"
Some one laughed and tabbed his
hands into the air. Another, quickly
sensing a staged surprise, followed the
example. 1t was Just the finishing
touch necessary-the old-time hoId-up
Of the old-time dance. The bandit"
strobe forward
"Out from behind 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 mis- star cleaning.
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. mask was over his eyes, sup
plemented by anothe~ 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 / 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
at"
Again a 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 Gliding 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 his pockets,
and whirled toward the door.
1.-THE purpose of this ere will be In
the paper tomorrow" he announced
"And don't you follow me to find out
Back, therer'
Two or three laughing men had
started forward, among them a 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 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-
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 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 hurtled against them ;
screams sounded. Hurriedly, as 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
her. "Everything's overlook, they're
helping the fiddler to his feet. Maybe
he's not badly hurt. Everythihg'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.
81 know who it was" he almost
screamed. II got good look at him
| jumped out of the window and almost
headed him off. He took off his mask
| Outside-and 1 saw him."
"You saw him. A hundred voices
shouted the question at once.
Eyes" Then Maurice Rodaine nodded
straight toward Robert Fairchild. 1.-THE
light was good. and 1 got a straight
---vn ut nIm. He was that fellows
| partner-a Cornishman they cal
Harry!"
81 don't believe it" Anita Richmond
exclaimed with conviction and clutche6
| at Fairchild's arm. II don't believe
| it,"
| "I can't!" Robert answered. Their
| he turned to the accuser How could
| II be possible for Harry to be down