The Ordway new era., 1922-10-13

'-Then please"
Pardon me-" She had laid hand
on his arm for just a 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 1t 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 1t
came. Anita Richmond turned swiftly.
her dark eyes ablazs. 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.
"I'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 a fourth, while
in the Intervals Fairchild's eyes sought
out the sulky, sullen form of Maurice
Rodaine, tlattened against the wall
eyes evil. mouth a straight line. and
the blackness 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:
lands up, everybody! And quick
about itw
Some one laughed and iabbed 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 behind that bar! Drop
that gun 7" 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 a 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
'All right, everybody I'm q decent
fellow. Don't want much, but want
it quick This 'ere's for the relief of
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
1t there. Ladies stay where you're
atT'
again u ulICllilu luTDtt 10
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
for1uard patherad IN rho h,iS, on1 ,,ni,l
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
started forward, among them a fiddler,
who had joined the line, and who now
rushed out in fiaunting bravery. brand
fishing 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 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
stricken women clawed at one another
and fought their way toward free
dom they could not gain. Windows