Palisadian., 1925-02-13
When Names
Don't Matter
By BAYARD D. YORK
). 1925. Western Newspaper Union.

stupid, dull, wearisome-"
ITS your liver again." his Aunt
Olivia interrupted. The bottle of
black pills is-no, on second thought,
believe this would be better. After
you've dropped me at Mrs Montgom-
ery's drive out to the cottage and back.
The drive will do you good"
Russell had come. And now, with
the cottages inspected and locked up
again and the October twilight ap-
preaching, he paused beside his car at
the sound of running footsteps.
Suddenly some one screamed
1t was shrill little sound, prompt
ly stifed-and followed by few gruff
words. Then the scream was repeat
ed, this time with wild, beseeching,
half-crazed note in 1t.
| AS Russell leaped around the corner
of the cottage he caught the words:
"There's nobody there, and If there
was" and then he cut in sharply.
whats going ON here" he de-
manded
The blood was racing in his veins.
questionably one of the natives of the
lake region, uncouth, burly, sullen-
but upon the girls face was the evil
dence of intelligence and good-breed-
ing.
None of your business" the big
fellow said, in surly tone.
Russell stepped forward The other
fellow gave no second warning. The
quickly swung fist reached the spot
which the point of Russell's chin had
Just occupied, but the chin was no
longer there.
"So!' he muttered grimly.
AS the momentum of the unsuccess-
full blow carried his antagonist some
what off his balance Russell doubled
his own fist and swung. The big fell
low went down.
He was up with yell Of rage He
seemed like some huge flying animal
as he rushed toward Russell.
Again the latter's fist shot out-and
again it reached Its mark.
And now the thick-chested chap ad-
vanced slowly, with an eye of caution,
and Russell knew that he faced the
final test. His opponents blows regis
! tered.
With one last desperate effort Rus
sell tried to drag his brain from the
daze which held 1t, tried to force his
muscles into action-and failed.
Then something which seemed like
white cloud rushed between him and
the speeding blow he heard a little
choking sob and knew that In some
way, which at the moment he did not
understand, he had been saved from
the knockout.
Then he heard the girls warning
shrek and, glancing behind him, saw
his new peril. A tall, long-armed man
was running toward him.
In that instant Russell became a
mailman. With fury such as he never
In g ginedk himself capable of feeling,
he struck out with all his might. His
fist reached its mark.
The broad-shouldered fellow went
down-and lay still.
Russell whirled to meet his new
foe. In the gloom he saw two other
men approaching.
He felt the girls hand on his arm.
Better run for it," she suggested.
Together they leaped up the path. He
pushed her into the car and jumped in.
AS the engine. whirred he heard a
shout behind him. The car gathered
speed.
think you can carry off my daugh-
ter"
The voice was at Russell's ear. He
turned The tall man had gained a
position on the running-board.
Russell swung his whole body
around The next instant the man was
sprawling by the roadside.
"I think can!" Russell muttered
grimly.
Some eight miles down the road the
girl spoke
"Six o'clock" she murmured. II
was to have married him at six
o'clockw
"With your fathers consent?" Rus
sell asked.
THAT man isn't my father" she an
swered "While I was at college
mother married him; and then-then
she died-and he-he-oh, it's all a
horrible dream"
A sudden wild spirit Of romance
seized Russell.
"Will you marry meat seven
o'clock?" he demanded.
The moon was rising above the tree
tops. When she did not answer he
turned and looked into her eyes. She
met his gaze steadily, perhaps a bit
proudly.
Suddenly he understood. She chal.
lenged him to win her, not by caveman
methods, but as man should win the
! girl h. loves.
"I'n take you to Aunt Olivia's," he
said
For a time they rode on in silence.
Then Russell spoke.
II don't even know your name-or
you mine," he said. "But names don't
always matter, do they? Do you
know" he concluded with a sudden
smile, "life is mighty wonderful
thingw