Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-06-23
The City of
Purple Dreams


without reason or purpose. The police.
instantly suspecting a riot, rushed In,
using their batons freely.
| BY sheer strength Fitzhugh wedged
his way TO the protection Of a door.
which. being partly open. gave way
before the impact Of his body. precipl-
tating him into narrow hallway. He
regained his feet In second. and
stepping outside closed the door and
stood with his back against it.
The next moment q singular thing
happened. From out that frenZied
mob, like a ship tossed by a restless
sea into a haven of safety. a woman
was swept squarely into his arms. For
bare moment he held her, flushed
and palpitating, in a close embrace.
Then ne released her and saw her hat
was missing and that her clothing was
torn and 1isarrayed
THANK you'll" she exclaimed breath
Iessly.
The rays OF a nearby street lamp
fell athwart her face. and his first
thought was that she was Jewess;
then a Russian. he added. apparently
of good birth and schooling. Though
she spoke with a slight foreign accent,
her English was dramatically per-
feet. Her forehead, unusually broad
and high for a woman, and her cast OF
features denoted uncommon intellect.
Like angry waves the mob ragged
about them in their inadequate refuge.
and he opened the door. pushed her
into the hallway. and followed. clos
ing the door behind them.
you'll find it safer in here" said
he, and added with some hesitation:
Any name is Fitzhugh. You needn't
tell me yours If you'd rather not"
3 81 see no reason why l shouldn't
she retOrted. yet with the hot color
flooding her cheeks. II am Esther
Strom, Mr.. Fltzhugh. and / am very
happy to know you, even II only for
minute" She held out to him
small, dark hand. and he pressed it la
his large. white one.
"Are you going lnsIde?" she asked.
81 don't think So" he laughed, and
motloned toward the crowd outside.
"How can II"
"You-I might be able to get you
inf you care to CO."
He started. ''Then you are an"
"Ohr - Her hand fumbled excitedly
Mt her neck. then dropped to her side
with a little gesture OF dismay. "Fm
afraid I've lost Notwithstanding
valued very much. 1t was a brooch
an heirloom. And I've lost IT."
He struck match, and together
they searched the floor
"PerhapsN you dropped It outside"
he suggested; and feeling the neces-
sity OF doing something, yet knowing
the futility OF the action. he opened
the door leading to the street. Mid
way between the door and the alley,
against the brick wall of the building,
he saw large packing case. He
noted It was of strong material, re-
enforced at the corners.
The woman seemed to have forgot
ten her loss in the rush of some
stronger emotion. She stood beside
him, gazing at the unclean crowd with
WlSLIuI eyes, anu III AH0
liquid depths great sadness, and
something far rarer besides-sympa-
thy. "You poor. wretched people!" he
heard her murmur. How | wish |
could talk to you as should like tot"
He looked at her quickly. His bud
ding thought burst suddenly into full
bloom. To "shOw off, before this
woman. TO parade his talent before
her. to impress her and win her adj
miration--what delight that would be
Perhaps l could do it for you" hs
offered, his voice betraying his eager
ness would you like to hear me
try?"
without waiting for her answer.
fearful lest 1t be "A negative. he ell
bowed his way to the packing case.
mounted 1t. drew deep breath. and
stood up to his full height. The arc
lamp. beating upon his face. served
uncommOnly well for a calcium light.