The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-02-04
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII
The man went down in heap IN
der the impact Of Jimmy's fist. bump
ing into his advancing companion "a
he fell. He .clapped Hrs hand to his
mouth and brought it away Redeemed
with blood. His trim little mustache
was q trifle away as he twisted his
mouth to spit.
Jimmy stood menacingly, waiting
for the other one. It was quite evil
dent that he had only one to deal
with now. The man on the pave
ment seemed to have had all the
fight knocked out of him.
The man who had been driving
darted swift glance at Jimmy and
then ct his fallen companion. It
he had been drunk, he was suddenly
sober again.
He dropped his fists to his sides
and bent over Jimmy's victim, help.
ing him to his feet. Then he halt
dragged him into the automobile,
took his seat behind the wheel and
drove off.
Eimmy had quite forgotten the
girl. When he turned and found her
behind him he half started in sur
prise.
"I--r beg your pardon" he stam-
mcrcd, removing his hat. He re-
mcmbered now that he had spoken
to her as if she were an old friend,
and FASTENED to explain why.
II understood as soon rs you
spoke. 1t was quite fine Of you. T.
l thank YOU" She looked 1T him,
straight into his eyes. and held out
her hand.
So many girls. he thought, would
have been all nervous and aflutter.
perhaps crying. He had never before
filled the role Of the gallant knight
dashing to q lady's rescue. The
thought that he had been playing Q
story-book role amused him. and
he smiled, half to himself. as he put
out his hand to take hers.
He saw his knuckles were bloody
and hastily withdrew it and took her
proffered hand in his left. His &C.
ton. however, did not escape her.
"You've 6urt your hand" shc
cried. There was concern in her
voice. .g.t
Jimmy fished his handkerchief out
OF his coat pocket and applied u
to the injured knuckles. One o. then,
landed on lis opp6heht'ss teeth.
"Tts nothing" he said. "Didn't
even know it ras there" He wrap
ned the handkerchief around hrs
hand and stuck it in his pocket
"You'rc not telling the truth. i" a. 80 2
accused. 'sl'm SO sorry to have
caused you this. trouble" If
mo trouble at ALL" Jimmy WAS
fidgety and embarrassed. He real
ICED how awkward he must look with
one hand in his pocket and the other
holding his hat. He CLAIMED the
hat on his head. Perhaps" ne of
fered. "you'd better let me see you
home"
"This sort Of thing has never hap
pened to me. before" She smiled.
I'm quite sure it isn't likely to
happen twice in one evening. Be-
sides: I've only 2 fey blocks to
walk"
ppm sorry for that" he comment
ed, She. glanced ut him, puzzled.
"I'm sorry" he explained. "that
we've only . few blocks to walk"
She laughed. Every we'll. Mr.. Gala.
had-or shalt I caal you Sir Launce-
lot-I've q good mind to lead you
home by the longest way"
any name" be added, sis neither
Calahad nor Iauncelot, but Randi
James Rand. Strange rs it may
seem, my friends call me Jimmy"
"And mihe." she countered. lis
neither Cuinevere nor Elaine. but
|Lowell-Mary Lowell. My friends
call me Mary. but not on such short
notice rs this"
"Score one tor the Eowelis," ne
said. mr.. Rand can pick up his
marbles and 20 home" For the first
time in days the old light hearted
mood was back upon him. The con-
versation stimulated him. He was
.seriousy. Mr.. Rand" she was
saying, ."it was mighty fine thing
for you to do. l don't know what
would have happened il you hadn't
come along just when You did"
"Oh, they probably would have
driven away when they found you
weren't the-the sort they were look
ing for" he finished lamely. "You
know, I've got sister"
She surveyed his tail, slender,
broad shouldered form. ~Your Sis
ter" she said simply. "must be
proud" ga
He realized that she was being
serious. He flushed intentionally.
She had stopped in front Of IN
apartment building. She held ont
her hand. "Good night, Nj. Rand
and thank you. Mother will be ex-
pecting me. She had headache
and couldn't come TO church with
me-"
aThank heaven" Jimmy grinned,
"for the headache. Hhat H." he
amended, .sif it isn't serious"
She laughed. GOOD night. I'm
dreadfully sorry about your hand. F"
"About the bixgest favor could
ret right about now" said Jimmy.
'twould be job"
"You-you mean you're cooking
for work I"
"Well. I am and I'm not. i hope
] don't have to-" He stopped. "Gosh,
that sounds like Greek. doesn't It!
I mean that II / stay long in Mans
field and hope don't have to.-lIl
have 70 find Job. We must eat.
lsyou know"
"Well, pethAps ! can repay the
favor. after en." SHE said. "ThAt 70.
lit you're renl1y serious. Tom secre-
tary tn the chief clerk a. the 9. and
- = nsy~rnN ! HAil onnNk A. him ahnsAt