Page:Barbour--cupid en route.djvu/30

 out of the way. Wade scanned the throng eagerly for sight of the girl, and presently his sight was rewarded. She came through the entrance in the van of her party, a long fur-trimmed wrap enveloping her. At that instant a ragged, liquor-soddened man pushed his way unsteadily toward her.

"What's yer number, lady? Give me yet number!" Whether he stumbled on his own uncertain feet or tripped over someone else's doesn't matter. But with hand out-stretched for her carriage check he half fell against the girl and to save himself seized her arm. She drew back with a stifled cry and a look of loathing. Wade sprang forward, but Dave was ahead. With one hand he seized the man and sent him reeling into the street.

"Get out, you sneaking coyote!" he roared. And then, dropping his voice to a reassuring rumble: "It's all right, Miss, I reckon he didn't mean no harm, ma'am."

The girl's startled gaze encountered Dave dubiously until recognition came. Then,