The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-03-09

to whip a regiment II In doing SO he
would win this charming girls appro
baton.
"There1l be fight" said the girl
positively.
For n moment there was s'lcnce
Then Charlie spoke up.
This is all very interesting and ex.
citing" Charlie said. But you haven't
told me your name or where l can see
you after this thing Is over.'
The girl gave him swift, sldelong
glance.
I'm afraid you'll never want to see
me again after this is over" she said
rather pathetlcally.
"Yes WILL" declared Charlie em.
pbatically
mo matter what happens3"
"Yes."
For a moment the girl looked mt
him as though appraislng him. This
inspection seemed to be satisfactory,
for she smiled at the end Of 1t.
my name is Grace" she said. "And
II you've got a paper and pencil I'll
give you my phone number"
Charlie felt real thrill as he took
down the telephone number. Was the
girl telling him the truth? Would he
ever see her again? He devoutly
hoped that he would.
For some little time they raced out
into the country. Abruptly the girl
turned into q side road and moment
later stopped before deserted look
ing house.
"This is the place." said the girl.
"What next 2" smiled Charlie.
IL don't know" said the girl. "Oh.
/ wish / was out of II. u
She turned to Charlie with a queer
look in her eyes. What was she think.
ing Off What was behind this queer
adventure?
Charlie had slight time to speculate
on these questions. Almost on the in
stant the car was surrounded by ten
or dozen silent. black-masked men.
A burly individual, who seemed to be
the leader, beckoned to Charlie to step
out. Charlie looked at the girl. Her
u
hesitated and fear caught at his heart.
Then the burly leader caught at him
and pulled him from the car.
Once Charlie was out of the car he
was Immediately bllndfolded, bound
and gagged. Then he was pushed for
ward.
Some one struck him in the face.
Charlie lurched forward, angry and
puzzled. Some one hit him in the back.
Now thoroughly aroused Charlie be.
gan fighting roughly. No one fought
back. Silence still prevailed Then
some one tripped him. Charlie fell,
saw a million stars and went ints
Inconsistencies.
When Charlie finally came to him.
self he found his bonds were less tight
than he had expected. He managed to
get them off and remove the bllndfold
and gag. He was lying on the ground
iE front Of the deserted house. No one
was visible.
Slowly and painfully Charlie got to
his feet and started walking toward
town. Through his mind just one
question seethed and tortured him.
Had the girl told him the truth, or
would he never. see her again2
Some days later bunch of Charles
friends gave him dinner on the
occasion Of his birthday. The toast
master was Ed Cunningham, a burly
individual.
Here's to Charlie" said Ed, when
Ii came time for the toasts. "He wanted
excitement and we gave 1t to him.
Charlie, your luck hasn't turned yet.
The gang that gagged you and roped
you and blindfolded you was this
bunch. There isn't any excitement In
life for you yet. The mysterious girl
was only my sister Grace"
Charlie rose slowly to his feet while
the crowd laughed and cheered. Char
lies face was flushed, his eyes spark
ling.
I'm not kicking at what you fellows
did," he said. II simply want to say
my luck has changed. I've never been
so excited In my life as l have been
recently. I've never been so thrilled
as l am today"
This statement seemed to surprise
the crowd. For moment there was
silence.
"How's that. Charlie?" queried Gun
ningham. "Tell us about It."
"It's simply this" Charlie respond
ed. "Tve fallen in love and today the
girl promised to marry mel"
"Who's the glrl?" cried the crowd
"It's Grace-Ed Cunningham's sis.
ter" said Charlie and smiled.