Page:Czecho-Slovak Student Life, Volume 18.djvu/229

pletely charming; yet never so unattainable.

They paused and stood very near him. One look at Mach was enough to drive the last restraint out of Albert. He swallowed hard and advanced toward Mach. Everything around him was immaterial.

“Get out of here, you brute. You’re drunk!” he growled at Mach, gripping his arm and pushing him towards an exit.

“What the-what’s the matter with you, you boob! Let go my arm”, Mach retorted in amazement.

“Come on out, I say; or I’ll bust you one right here”.

They were out in the night air before Francis realized that his apprehender was not an officer. Then when he recognized the fellow to be none other than Al of Bradley and Hein, in Sunday clothes, he was loath to make a cowardly retreat. But Albert spoke again.

“Called me a boob, did you?” he hissed and swung a vicious blow at the other’s face.

“What’s going through you, Al?” the other said, regaining his balance after a successful dodge. “You must be drunk or something”.

“Drunk, ha? I’ll teach you a thing or two, taking my girl away like that”. Another blow, this time catching Mach on the shoulder.

“Why, Albert! I didn’t know you were sweet on Mildred. Besides her, I’ve danced with no one else but my niece, Elsie”. No more blows; rather a prolonged silence. Albert was coming to . .

“Your niece! Well, why didn’t ya’—”

“Well, why didn’t ya’—” *** After the exit of the two men, Elsie retired into an empty lobby, seated herself in an armchair, and cried. She was sure something cruel was happening outside. If she had only informed Francis of her design but he would probably have spoiled it all. Then, why didn’t she hold him back now? Albert might even kill him there, what with the malice that showed in his countenance. The weight of her misery rendered her almost senseless. She did not even notice Albert’s entrance a quarter of an hour later.

He stole to the back of her chair and placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t cry, Els’,” he said softly. “Uncle Frank told me to take you home”.

In another instant she was in his arms sobbing sweet words. “On second thought I’ve decided to have one little dance with you, dear”, he suggested much to her pleasure. And an hour later they were both cuddled happily in his snug little coupe.