THE RESCUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE RESCUE.

(By RONALD KASf.)

They were coming through the park on their way home. Vivienne was Jack's thirteen-year old cousin, and a jolly nice girl she was too —the sort that chaps would fight over, and all that sort 01 thing, Jack had decided when she had arrived at his home at the beginning of the holidays. j Well, as 1 said, they were coming home through the park. The idea, of course, j was Jack's, for there were few peoplej about,, and the path was very dark] under the trees, though the moon had | fiooded all the open places with its soft, j silver sheen; but Vivienne did not mind —oh, no. For some time tlicy continued their stroll, the silence round about but lightly broken by their measured step. Then suddenly, just when they were ill the densest part of a thicket, a scream shattered the stillness! •> "Help! Come quickly. Help!" The last word ended in a groan. The boy glanced at his companion. She nodded her understanding and he dashed down the path; but he had gone but a few yards when a noise behind caused him to glance over his shoulder. Vivienne was struggling with a group of ruffians; one was endeavouring to cover her head with a small bag; another appeared to be trying to bind lier wrists; yet another had jammed a grimy fist over her mouth to silence her j screams. , Jack did not hesitate. The first call forgotten, with a shout he rushed to the rescue. His left snaked out and thudded on soft flesh. One of the ruffians turned to flee. The boy landed another blow— another, another and yet another on the dim form of his opponent! Then suddenly the world began,to spin. Blinding stars flashed before his startled gaze— then darkness! When he opened his eyes he was sitting on the floor in his pyjamas with but a solitary blanket round liim. Beside him were the remains of the pillow, which had been rather severely damaged by his fists: while bed-clothes lay scattered round the room. Looking • up, he saw Vivienne standing in the doorway, her face wreathed in smiles. "Glad you woke up," she said. "Things were getting rather boisterous. Come on, get dressed it's time for breakfast!"