Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-02-26
By HAROLD MacGRATH
lcnorrlghl, 81 tae Bobbs. MerIilI Companyl

theater: but. in real life. the meio-
drama is closest to our everyday af-
fairs.
/ I at once determined not TO notify
the police: they would only bungle
the matter with the red tape Of delay
/ could call them in when the work
was over.
And to think that this rufiian's taste
in overcoats was one and identical
with mine! l had half a notion to tear
OF the coat. only IL would have at
tracted attention--and, besides. It was
cold.
Some men would have shrugged
their shoulders and permitted the
thing to 90 on. In a great city the
good Samaritan is usually looked upon
as a meddler; and. besides, every one
has trouble enough OF his own. The
girl was nothing to me; even her
name was unknown. / hoped, how
ever, that she was beautiful and
young. Ny duty lay clear enough. IL
was possible to save human being,
and that was all there was to the mat
ter Any right-minded man would
have done exactly as | did, though
, hardly with the same result. Cribs IS
not to say that I'm not right-minded,
howeveri) If / should save the gil
from her prosecutor, | should always
have something to fall back on II by
any chance | myself left the straight
and narrow way. To save life Is to
do penance for many sins
Putting aside all fiip pant moralizing.
it was an adventure such as inVaria-
bly, appeals to me, and II is habit
OF mine TO pursue things to the end.
II is fine and noble pursuit, that OF
research. But sometimes. as In cases
lite this adventure OF mine, persons
lacking my sense OF the romantic, are
called blsybodies
do not recoIlect what street II
was In the eighties that the guard
bawled out, but it was near enough
for my purpose. | hurried out OF the
car and down the steps OF the ele-
waited. Everybody gets in the way OF
man In hurry; SO, for a block or
more. the time was spent in making
apologies TO gruff-tempered persons.
They would get in my way, and they
would demand what | meant by not
looking where ! was going. Finally
succeeded in Kidding myself OF the
crowds. ana turned into a quiet and
sober street. The sign on the lamp
post told me that ] had arrived on
the scene. II was twenty minutes past
eleven. Two things were possible:
either the girl had been killed the
night before or had half an hour or
/ so In which to render her the great
est possible service.
The house proved to be a fine struc
ture, one OF those few dwellings IN
the metropolis that boasts OF anything
| like court or yard. This yard was
/ at the right of the building, and was
] more roadway to the stables IN the
rear than anything else. Still. may
stretch 1t n point and call 1t a yard
cast q hasty glance about. Not 8
soul was In sight. | tried one of the
gates II was Unmatched, This Ger
tniniy must be the night. ! stole III
the roadway cautiously The fac
that | left some fine tracks in tn,
snow did not disturb me was no
geilty of anything wrong. Yes, Their,
was the bow-window through which
the rascal was to enter. There woulC
be a surprise In store for him. A sub
dued light shone through the half
closed blinds Some one was awake
doubtless the girl herself, reading.
Everything was working out nicely
| would even save her any real annoy
ance.
| tiptoed back TO the gate. aud wal
about 10 make my exit, when paused
horrified. my heart In my mouth
Coming airily along the walk was
policeman. He was whistling popular
Irish melodies and swinging his night
stick. The deuce, Suppose he took I
into his head TO examine the gate,
hid behind the great stone gate.post
breathing with difficulty II there wal
anything in the world ] did not wan
TO happen. Il was to be arrested ii
this other fellows coat BESIDES tn,
policeman wouldn't believe a word
said lie would hale me TO the near
est police station. aud all my effort
20 save the girl would come 20 moth
ing,
The policeman did start for tn
gate. but a cat fight across the stree
distracted him and he crossed over {
break up the conflict was saved
After reasonable length OF time.
} stole forth II was close shave,
dare say that | have omitted tn
, fact that am young. still under thirt!
and am q struggling dramatist. afte
having been struggling poet. int
which craft had drifted after havin
been a struggling humorist. The mai
fault of my want or success | lay
the fact that do not look the variou
parts, As dramatist, lack tn
requisite irritability OF temper as
poet, have not that distinct disr
gard for personal appearance usual
/ considered characteristic; as a hume
i, list. | am totally deficient of the Ion
! cadaverous and dyspeptiC countenanC
and lusterlesss eve OF the typic
z writer OF funny ssncies, When n
: uncle died and left ms comfortab
. income. Art received staggeriI
blow. from which It is doubtful 81
a will ever recover spinster aunt /
sists that | am more than ordinari
. agreeable TO the eye. but. OF cours
II blood is partial 70 blood. That
;. enough tor the present OF what Z