The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-03-06
handsome, an
by MARGARET TURNBULL
Illustrations by IRWIN MYERS
W. N. o. Service.

wagon-shedlike structure had windows
at equal distances all the way across.
These old covered bridges were de-
lightful places in which to cool off In
summer time, with their narrow win
dOws showing every new and then the
beautiful river and the equally beau
tiful shores. In rain such as tOday's
the bridge was long. dim. dark tun-
mel, Lit by occasional flashes of
lightning. The noise of the rain on
the wooden roof was terrific. Sir
George. with sinking heart, remem-
bered his small supply of petrol as he
increased his speed slightly so that he
might not lose sight of Jack. He
would save for the last squirt and stop
Jack at the other side of the bridge
just before he reached the highway.
Jacks plan was, of course. directly
opposite. He meant to drive beyond
the required regulations while he wasI
on the bridge, and when he reached
the entrance he intended to go flying
at top speed up the hill to the broad
highway that led to the New York
road. He had forgotten. what his
pursuer suddenly remembered with a
relieved sigh, that there was a toll
gate and toll man at the other end
of the bridge. and there the cars
would have to stop while toll was
paid.
Sir George, remembering this, re-
Taxed. He could surely stop them at
the gate. for Roberta would hardly
care to stage public scene. She
might even be glad to come back with
him. If she was not. then 1t was a
thing to be settled between Jack and
himself. Sir George rather hoped
Roberta would not want to come with
him at once, so that he might have
that excuse to give Jack the beating
that he richly deserved.
Then 1t happened. Suddenly. as it
seemed instantly. after long and
terrible peal of thunder came a ire
mendous binding flash and sound
as though something had been ripped.
A rolling ball of fire flew before his
eyes, a queer sulphurous smell filled
the air and Immediately, 1t seemed to
him, the bridge between his car and
Jacks burst into flames.
Sir Georges car, some distance be-
hind Jacks. stopped, then went for
He felt moment of horror. Roberta
Was Roberta hurt? Forgetting his
own peril, for the flames were running
along the roof and sides of the bridge
and would soon reach him. he called
aloud In his terrible anxiety and fear.
as he drove forward He did not
realize that he was using the pet
name the girls father had given her
and that he secretly thought charm
ingly fitted her boyish red-gold head.
"Bobbie! BObbiel Are you all
right?" He continued to shout as he
leaped from his car and ran toward
the fire which was now like flaming
screen between them "Bobbie! Bob
biel Where are your"
Beyond the smoke and flames. after
her first swift collapse against the
shaking Jack, Roberta Macbeth lifted
uGT ucdu anu ilSlcIcu. uO SIOCk
had stunned them both and autOmat-
ically Jack had stopped the car.
What she heard made her turn to the
flaming part of the bridge just behind
them. Jack stretched out his hand
to start the car again.
Again that agonized shout. This
time it was plain to Roberta and
Jack. too. "Bobbie! Bobbie! Wait!
I'm coming"
Jack grinned an ugly grin. "Hell
never get his car through that" he
said, with a frightened look be-
hing him.
But Roberta's hand was on his
arm. Don't start up, Jack" she
begged. "Wait until he comes"
"Like HI! Let that Englishman
gum things up? You're crazy" He
put his foot on the self starter.
Roberta promptly struck him across
the face and pulled on the emergency
brake. Before Jack could recover
himself she was out of the car and
running toward the fire. Through it,
staggering, she could see a tall form.
(TO BE CONTINUED)