Cleveland County herald., 1920-01-22
CHAPTER l..

Even Chicago's corroding March wind could not dull the gloss of his buoyancy. Like furious mastiff it tore at him angrily, snapping vieiously at his poorly protected body, snarTing and bowling malevolently But to him it was no more than q bumptiouS puppy that worried him not at all Head erect, hands thrust deep in rag ged pockets, he swung jauntily along the Rush street bridge, whistling mer- rily popular coon song.
 He was wretchedly clad-a mass of rags and tatters. His face was smudged with a healthy growth of jet black beard. and it required little scru- tiny to see he had long been stranger to soap and water. He was very tall over six feet-and this accentuated his slovenliness. He was a man of twenty-four, with a distinguished face rather than handsome one, and he had an athletes physique.
 At the south end of the bridge he turned and started across the street. Midway he stopped short. Standing on the opposite sidewalk was plain clothes detective, Pat Kelly by name, who yesterday had arrested him on vagrancy charge and released him with a warning to leave the city or suf- fer the consequences.
 There was no time for hesitation. He had caught Kelly's unfriendly eye, and he knew what to expect. He wheeled about, started back = and plunged directly in the path of a high powered touring car which came hur- ting across the bridge.
 Things happened quickly. It was too late to sidestep the onrushing ma chine, too late to stop it, and the chauffeur, in a frantic effort to avoid running him down, jerked wildly at his steering wheel; the big car veered, dashed dingonally across the street, and smashed slap-bang against Il brick wall.
 The hood of the car was caved in the lamps demolished the front wheels broken and the axle twisted; but to the occupants-two girls who sat in the tonneau-no harm had come.
 As soon as the vagabond looked upon the wreck, a smashing blow caught him behind the ear, another on his neck; an arm was twisted be- hind his back and red, hairy hand clutched at his throat Without turn ing round he knew it was Kelly; knew, also that he must not strike back, for nothing earns culprit quicker or se- vcrer punishment than resisting an of Gcer.
 One Of the girls in the tonneau jumped quickly to the ground and stepped between the belligerents. The heavy motoring veil which heretofore had concealed her face was now lifted and she stood revealed as one of those lasidlously beautiful and frankly femi- nine girls who command golden opin- | ions from all men, slaviSh obedience from most. and the envy and jealousy l of many women. Her eyes, normally of dark, velvety blue like pansy's petals, were nearly black as she turned scornfully upon the detective.
 You contemptible coward - she ac- cused spiritedly. ITO attack man when his back is turned."
 Kelly smiled down at her indulgent- ly and shook his head
 No, miss said he, you misjudge me; I'm plain-clothes man from detective headquarters.
 That does not alter the first fact, she retorted. Fumbling hastily in her purse, she confronted Kelly as he
 started off with his prisoner.
 If you arrest that man." she cried
 Nj; ;rningly. I'll"
 She left the sentence incomplete ed
 nd plucking visiting card from her