Evening star., 1928-04-10

PAGES from the scene or action.
7 had witnessed the thrilling
~ little drama as it was enacted.
At dawn. she with o dozen
stealthy figures, had crept up from the
ravine Skirting the highway Her
father commanded her to remain be-
hind a monster tree-trlmk while the
cat-like roeueS stole off 10 posts ap-
pointed. She saw the three guards so
about among their companions to
arouse them: she watched others
scramble 10 their feet and begin prep
arations for the breakfast Then came
the clatter Of pans and Subdued voices.
Her heart sank. Where were her
fathers men? Why were they SO slow
in attacking? Il did not occur To her
that all Of Jonifer'S men were not yet
ready TO spring out upon the unsus-
pecting prey.
Then She beheld a tall figure white
shirted and hatieSS, in loose. red
breecheS and black boots striding
across the Sward. Suddenly he stopped.
His hand went TO his side. and then.
second later, a ringing voice broke upon
the air. AS If by magic, the little glen
was alive with men, men who wore
masks
From her point Of vantage. she wit
messed evgSything that succeeded this
amazing tableau. She saw her cousins
run 10 the COACH she had a glimpse
Of the ponderouS Broadaxe behind them
she heard the command from her
father-and then she saw him stand
ing in front Of the tall figure in the
red trousers. his pistol pointed. She
saw the officer raise one hand, while
the other continued 10 tumble at his
side
From that time. she scarcely took
her gaze from the face of the young
dragon. She heard every word that
passed between him and her father:
she saw the soldier leap toward the
stump and snatch Up his pistol; she
screamed aloud when her father fred
and. but for sudden faintness, would
have thrown herself upon the soldier
before he could fire in return. Clos
ing her eyes. she pressed her hand TO
her heart. Then she heard her father
speaking
AT this, she opened her eyes. Once
more she was looking at the young off,
Ger. A wave OF relief surged over her
as he lowered the pistol
Suddenly she felt a great pity for
him. He was so handsome and SO
helpless. A hero in chains. beaten,
but not cowed: a gallant figure that
dominated the scene, notwithstanding
the humiliating part he was forced TO
play
she was proud Of her father. He too,
was gallant gentleman. She shud-
oered as she thought of the fcte that
would have befallen this young man,
Il julius Broadaxe or any other mem
her Of the band had been in her fathers
place. Broadaxe would not have
spared him. He would have shot him
down As But would the soldier have
spared Julius Broadaxe2 She doubt
e IT,
She found her self marvelling at the
thoroughneSs with which her friends
performed. Almost before she knew
what had happened: their task was
completed. A few OF the brIgands
were darting about among the soldiers,
relieving them Of their weapons. while
Others were testing leather thongs
Her first experience as a highway
man, though necessarily vicarious, was
drawing 70 IN end. 4t was. in a way.
Disappointing 1t had been 50 easy,
30 bloooless, SO lacking in all those
essential deeds Of daring and heroism
that she had been led 10 believe attend
ed raids In which the robbers Of Dro0n
Forest took part. She would never
again accept as true a word Of those
hair-raigiag yarns that were spun BY
ard now. 10 her dismay, they were lead
ing the soldiers to trees and tying
them up with the leather thongs.
Her eyes went quickly back To the
4sir-naired captain. He 10 was walking
% a nearby tree. Jonifer Davos was
giving directions 70 two Of his men,
pointing 70 the chosen tree.
Gerane caught her breath. She felt
the blood rush TO her face. Anger. an
inc0mprehengible anger, took possession
O. her. This was an outraged An in
slant later. casting all inJunctions 10
TIE winds, she gtrode out Of the wood
and advanced upon her father.
JoDiter stopped short IN The middle
Of q sentence. stunned by sight of her.
The lower part Of her face was con-
eealed by the CLOAK she held before IL.
mo-" she cried, loudly You shall
not do this! II is outrageous. Be-
gone" This last was directed TO the
startled robbers who carried the straps
''Do YOU hear n9e2"
New, by ALL" began JOnifeg
Have you no honor? Is not this
man brave courageous f0ef Would
you tie him up Ike alike p.gy For
Kiganel Set him fYeei He can do no
more harm" Turning ~ the astounded
dragon. she said you are free. sir.