South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-24
REVELATIONS Of WIFE

wanted simply 10 display his petty
authority, or-why worry about the
WORKINGS OF such an apology for a
brain as is possessed by the youth
we have just encountered. Just
watch this crowd; worth seeing,
isn't it,"
Il was indeed q sight worth re-
levery entrance men and women
were pouring into the hall as If they
were borne upon the crest of a
steady. resistless flood.
\ Surging Mob.
There was an open space. ex-
tending from the speakers stand
clear across the nall, which was free
Of chairs. Into this went the more
enthusiastic OF the crowd, and in
an incredibly short time it was
packed as closely as an experienced
emplOye of a sardine canning fac
tory could have done it.
The rest of the chair space on the
lower floor was also quickly filled.
and then the crowd started for the
y
the Garden auditorium.
j suppose it really was a longer
time, but il seemed only two or
three minutes before every seat in
the balcony and floor of the i'm
nIense hall was filled, and people. in
defiance Of all fire regulations. We're
packed in the open space between
the door and the seats.
Then the ingress of people ceased
suddenly.
They have closed the doors" re-
marked DR.. Petit, and night time,
too. wonder where they'll hold the
overflow meetings. There must be
1000 people shut out"
/ did not want to appear nervous,
hut a very real fear at my heart
made me put tremulous question
to my companion.
Suppose a FIRE should break out.
wouldn't there be a terrible panic
here?"
Before answering he turned and
swept with a practical eye the gall
lery back Of us and a small, round
enclosed space just above us at the
right. in which a band of musicians
were stationed.
When Dicky Appeared.
Yes. no doubt there would be. ."
ne returned, "but there need be no
danger for us. 1t would be no task
for us TO scramble mp into the band
stand. and from there it is but a
step 10 an exist. We could be out
OF the building in a Jiffy."
Reassured, and al the same time
scoring myself mentally for my self
ishness in belng relieved AT my own
immunity from peril, when il might
come so near to the others in the
hall. l turned my attention to the
brilliant, shifting. kaleidoscope of
color and light before me.
The vast auditorium was ablaze
with light glowing with flass and
banners. From the center of the
great domed ceiling TO every post
supporting the galleries were strung
lines of American flags swaying III
the faint breeze.
The speakers stand, the must
clans stand, the ratings of the bal
cony every possible place was
sWathed with tri-colored bunting. II
was a scene never 10 be forgotten,
and ! sat revelling in it.
There were a few people N the
speakers stand who kept standing
up and looking ward the rear as
if in expectation of someone COM
inc.
They're looking for the presi-
dents party" said Or. Petit. Want
TO see them?"
He took a pair of field glasses
from his pocket, and after adjusting
them. leanen toward me and put
them in my hands. AS he did so his
hands touched mine and our faces,
Of course were close together.
AT this moment my eyes fell upon
a man who was rushing wildly
about the lower floor, gazing up at
the occupants Of the raised seats.
His eyes met mine just as my hands
and those of Dr. Petit met in the
transfer of the field glasses. 1t was
Dicky.