Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-03-01
A Casual Champion

ANN LAG hnS
chosen an unsuitable locality for this
relaxation, being, in fact, Upon the
curb at the northeast corner Of Forty
second street and Broadway at eight
O'Clock In the evening, and, in pausing
to give vent to his feelings, he narrow.
ly escaped being run down by a taxi.
cab which skidded past, the wheel not
five inches away. But the truth is he
was horribly bored. He had not met
with an adventure worth speaking of
for several days and had decided to re-
turn home to his apartments on Madi.
son avenue. play a game Of solitaire
and go to bed.
He had already arrived at this ad.
mirable decision when his attention
was attracted toward a young woman
Of remarkable beauty who went hurry
ing past. Instinctively he turned
not, of course, with any design of ad-
dressing her or in any way molesting
her, but to follow her with his eyes
until she rounded the corner and was
lost to view among the crowds of
upper Broadway. For beauty was to
LOrd Jocelyn a lodestar hat attracted
him irresistibly, and the beauty of
this particular young woman was as
that OLA peach, let us say. among a
basketful Of nectarines.
And then an incident occurred
which changed all his intentions and
resolutions. For, as she was about to
round the corner, a fiashily attired
man, whom Lord Jocelyn had OBJ
served h%urrying after her, caught up
with her and planting himself in her
path made some remark to he.
Lord Jocelyn felt his blood Jingle.
He saw the girl shrink back, saw the
fellow pursue her with the evident in
tention of commencing a filtration,
and strobe through the crowd in hot
anger, an angel Of avenging chivalry.
A dozen steps and he was at her side.
"Is this fellow molesting you?" he
asked, doffing his hat.
The girl raised her eyes to his APP
peaIingly, Lord Jocelyn swung round
upon his heel and, as the first sheer
ing words broke from the mans
mouth, he let drive his fist with his
full force and caught him between
the eyes. The man fell like a log and.
striking his head upon the curb. lay
as though stunned. Before Jocelyn
could guide his protege through the
crowd hat instantly assembled, a po-
liceman was at his side. He looked
at Jocelyn's evening attire, then at
the rough clothing Of the fellow,
whose consciousness was slowly re-
turning.
NO need to explain, sir; l saw the
-l-1 - h. rosI sriII,rr n ~ 4
come" he added, addressing the street
loafer. Station house for yours"
DO you want me to come with you
as a witness?" asked Jocelyn.
mo need of that, sir" answered the
policeman. I'll take your name, and
that Of the lady's, and o can be at
the jefferson Market court at ten to-
morrow morning."
MY names Jocelyn," said the invol-
untary hero of the episode, adding his
address. And his lady is"
Miss Murray-Clara Murray, 4G2
West Ninety-first street." said the
lady promptly.
The policeman noted down these
facts in his pocketbook, keeping one
eve warily upon the ~ruftian, who was
now rising to his feet and looking
round him with a dazed expression.
He snapped the book shut and jerked
him to his feet. Then the man
seemed suddenly to realize his pre-
dicament.
"Lemme go" he shouted, struggling
in his captor's grasp. Il gotter speak
to the lady. l will speak to her"
He fought himself free and, with a
blow of surprising force, sent the po-
liceman Keeling backward. The lat
ter. recovering his balance, drew his
club and brought 1t down with his
full force upon the mans lead. For
the second time he dropped.
Meanwhile, catching the young
woman by the arm, Lord Jocelyn
forced his way through the crowd to a
street car, which they boarded.
You must let me see you to your
home" he insisted. "Ninety-irst
street is not far out of my a Miss
Murray"
She turned on him a look Of intense
scrutiny. Then she faltered:
Il don't live there. l gave hat ad-
dress to the policeman, but l 1ve IN
Fiftv-frst street. And here's where
we get off" she continued, a moment
later.
And. when they were on terra hrma
again, she added:
And here is where we part, Mr.
Jostling?"
Lord Jocelyn bowed. But | must
at least insist on being permitted to
accompany O to your door" he pro-
tested. Really the streets are not
safe for you-on account Of your at
fractions" he was going to add. but
decided that the acquaintance was too
short to permit of such an expression.
She hesitated for an instant. We'll,
come along, then" she said, finally,
and led the way along a deserted
street to a small, old-fashioned house.
Drawing a key from her wrist bag she
unlocked the door.
why, it's all dark" she said, peer
ing into the vestibule. Aft isn't
home yet. Mister Jostling, 1 don't
wan to send you away empty-would
YOU like a glass of wine before you
go?"
81 should, immensely" answered
Lord Jocelyn, wondering who Ali
might be aud what relationship he
bore to Miss Murray.
Then you shall have one" the
girl answered, leading the way into q
dark parlor and lighting a gas jet