Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-06-23
CHAPTER I.

Even Chlcago's cOrroding Marcel
wind could not dull the gloss Of hi,
buOyancy. Like a furious mastiff I,
tore at him angrily, swapping viciouslJ
at his poorly protected body. snarlinl
and bowling inadvertently. But to hin
II was no more than a bumptiouS
puppy that worried him not at all
Head erect, hands thrust deep in rag,
ged pockets, he swung jauntlly along
the Rush street bridge. whstling mer.
rily n popular coon song.
He was wretchedly clad--a mass of
rags and tatters. His face was
smudged with healthy growth of Jet
black beard. and it required little scru-
tiny to see he had long been a stranger
90 soap and water. He was very tall
over six feet-and this accentuated
his siovenliness. He was man of
twenty-four. with 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 "A plain
clothes detective. Pat Kelly by name.
who yesterday had arrested him on a
Vngrancy charge and released him
with n warning 10 leave the city or suf-
fer the consequences
There was no time for hesitation.
He had caught Kellys unsrlendly eve.
and he knew what TO expect, He
wheeled about. started back -. and
plsnged directly in the path of high
powered touring chr which came hur-
Ting across the bridge.
Things happened quickly. II 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 al
his steering wheel the big car veered
dashed diagonally across the street
and smashed slap-bang against a brick
wall
The hood of the car was caved in
the lamps demolished. the front wheel,
broken and the axle twisted; but e
the occupants--two girls who sat IL
the tonneau--no harm had come.
As soon as the vagabond locke,
upon the wreck. smashing blow
caught him behind the ear, another
on his neck an arm was twisted be
hind his back, and red. hairy hant
clutched at his throat Without turn
Ing round he knew II was Kelly; knew
also, that he must not strike back. 70
nothing earns culprit quicker or Sc
verer punishment than resisting an of
ticer
One of the girls In the tonnea,
Jumped quickly to the ground an,
stepped between the belligerents. Tn
heavy motoring veil which theretofor
had concealed her face was now lifted
and she stood revealed as one of thos
lnsidiously beautiful and frankly FEM
nine girls who command golden opln
Ions from all men, slavish ohetlienc
from most. and the envy aud Jealous
Of many women. Her eyes, normali
of dark, velvety blue like pansy'
petals. We're nearly black as sh
turned scornfully upon the detective.
''You contemplate coward" she Nc
cused spiritedly. "To attack ma
when his back is turned 2"
Kelly smiled down at her indulgent
~ and shook his head.
'No. miss" said he "you misludg
me: I'm plaln-clothes man fror
detective headquarters"
THAT does not alter the first fact.
she retorted. Plumbing hastily in he
purse, she confronted Kelly as h
started of with his prisoner.
III you arrest that man." she erie
waruIngly. I'LL"
She Lett the sentence incomplete,
and plucking visiting card fror, he
purse thrust K into the detective
hand. He read the name thereon. an
then looked at the girl with a respe,
as sudden as 1t was profound.
let me see; you're Mr.. Blacl
burns"
Niece He will grant me aay fav,
ask OF him. Do you still wish
take your prisoners"
officer Kelly capltulated uucond
tionally Without word he lifted h
hat half an inch from his head al
turned on his heel and walked swift
away.
The girl slapped back from the Ii