Evening star., 1926-10-17

TRIkE ME, e DIDN'T LOOK I'll"
'er out for the afternoon, and wasn't
going to be shaken like that, SO !
'opped along and tried to take 'er arm.
I thought it would be all right IL we
rested in the shade of one of the
boulders, but she wouldn't listen to
me. Mabel Crocombe, 'er name is,
and she's a locker, I can tell you.
Anyway, we walks along a quarter
of mile or sol trying to kid 'er on
to being a bit pally, and she acting
like as though she wanted to shake
me. You can't go walking about ere
by yourself told 'er. Anything
might 'appen to YOU You leave me
alone she snapped. I know what I
want to do"
He had recovered his breath by this
time, and his body had ceased to
tremble. He wiped the sweat from
his forehead with a handkerchief
which had seen better days.
Bill Aarons amt taking that sort
of stuff from any skirt what comes
out with i'm, so just let 'er know it.
/ 'ad me arm round 'er waist, and I
was just pointing out a nice place to
sit and talk things over, when, give
you my word, guv'nor, something
came up out Of the earth-something
that must ave been man, but strike
me e didn't look it!'
"Out Of the earth?" Goade muir
INJURED ref1ectively.
That's wot it seemed like" the
young man maintained. "'E just
popped out Of the middle of that great.
slanting boulder you can see yonder;
must be kind Of cave. Well, e made
a funny sort of noise, and blowed If
e didn't lift me up by the collar and
shake me as though I was a puppy
dog. He'd got great, brown paws,
air all over is 'ead, and l thought
at first e was naked"
"And was he?"
ED no shoes on or stockings,
only a pair Of corduroy breeches and
kind Of shirt. His skin was pretty
nearly black, and when e picked me
up e was roaring like a bull. Then
e set me down and laid old of the
girl by the wrist. Mabel shrieked,
but she couldn't get away. Then e
beloved to me: If you're within
sight in 10 seconds e shouted, I'll
smash every bone in your body!'
Strike me lucky, e meant it, too"'
What did you do?" Goade inquired.
What did 1 do?" the young man
repeated scornfully. That's a good
'un. 1 legged it as ard as I could"
And left the girl there?"
What good could I ave done?
tell you, 'e's a wild man, a giant.
His arms were bigger than my legs.
He could put me in a sandwich and
eat me-"
Goade rose to his feet and gazed
at the boulder to which the young
man had pointed. Even as he stood
In, tho nf q
gun from the same direction. Bill
Aarons, with a yell Of terror, fell fiat
on his face. This time, however,
there was no sound. of pattering shot.
Come on. Flip" Goade called out.
you amt going there, guv'nor?"
the fugitive demanded in an awe
stricken tone.
"Of course I am was the curt
reply. What do you suppose is hap
pening to the girl?"
Don't you butt in. mate" the
young man begged You're a big
fellow, but e could do you in 10
seconds"
COADE. ignoring his companion,
~ started off briskly. The latter
hesitated, then followed a few yards
behind Presently he stopped.
he called out.
Goade turned around and looked
at him, and the young man skunk be-
hind a rock.
1t was certainly, Goade decided as
he neared his destination, most un'
pleasant place for an adventure, as
the young man Aarons had indicated.
He turned the corner of the huge
boulder warily and then stopped
short. There was an opening which
led underground, which might well
have been the entrance to a cave, and
in front of 1t girl lay stretched upon
the ground.
The girl was alone with the sky
above. lying on a carpet of scanty
herbage He leaned over her, felt
her pulse and chafed her hands. Al.
ready she showed symptoms of
awakening consciousness. She was a
handsome girl of the best Devonshire
type, largely made, but shapely, with
creamy complexion and good features.
Her mouth, a little open, displayed
excellent teeth: her hands. though
brown. were we'll shaped and capable.
Suddenly she opened her eyes, and he
saw that they were blue.
Where am II" she asked.
You're quite all right" he assured
her. "On the moor. You came with
little man, Aarons. Had a scare,
hadn't your"
She sat up. Very slowly she turend
her head toward the narrow opening
underneath the boulder, and as she
did so he saw the returning color fade
again from her cheeks. He assisted
her to her feet and supported her
with his arm.
Lean on me and try to walk a few
yards he begged.
Il can walk" she Ialtered-"but
don't leave me-"
THEY moved slowly toward the
grassy wall. on the other side of
which was the motor bicycle. On
their way they passed small tarn.
He paused for a moment, soaked his
handkerchief in it and bathed her
temples. She drew a little sigh of re-
lief. Her footsteps became less hesi.
tating. She even smiled feebly at
Flip. who. with many upward
glances, was trotting Importantly by
her masters side.
Where do you come from, you and
1roYsY. 1fff1a Hnnp9peS SnhA MlfAA