Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1920-04-08


crowd was already collected; the new
arrivals swelled II threefoid. Then
nv tha; curious form of Thought truns
ference which often nnimates big gath
erings, word went through the crowd
that the hall was nearly tiiied, that
there was room for scarcely two hun
dred more. And fully Eve thousan
wanted Ambulance. Az by single
impulse the crowd became-a seething
cIamoring. hind mob that surged this
way and that. trampling the weak un.
derfoot. crushing. struggling. swearing.
without reason or purpose. The police,
instantly suspecting riot. rushed IN,
using their bntons freely.
BY sheer strength Fitzhugh wedged
his way to the protection Of q door,
which. being partly open. gave way
before the impact of his body. precip-
tating him into a narrow hallway. He
regained his feet In second anu
stepping outside closed the door ana
stood with his back against 1t.
The next moment singular thing
happened. From out that frenzipd
mob. like ship tossed by restless
sen into haven of safety. woman
was swept squarely into his arms. For
a bare moment he held her flushed
and palpitating, in close embrace.
Then he released her and saw her hat
was missing end that her clothing was
torn and disarrayed.
THANK you'll" she exclaimed breath
lessly
The rays OF nenr-by street lamp
fell athwart her face. and his nrst
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 grnmmaticTlly per-
feet. Her forehead unusually broad
and high for woman and her cast OF
features denoted uncommon intellect.
Like angry waves the mon ragged
about them In their inadequate refuge.
and he opened the door pushed FER
into the hallway. and followed. clos
Ing the door behind them.
you'll find II safer In here" said
he, and added with some hesitation !:
"I-my name is Fitzhugh. Yon needn't
tell me yours If you'd rather not"
II see no reason why / shouldn't.
she retorted. yet with the hot color
flooding her cheeks II am Esther
Strom. MIR. Fitzhugh and am very
happy to know you. even If only for
minute" She held out 10 him a
small. dark hand. and he pressed II Ia
his large white one
"Are you going inside?" she asked.
II don't think so" he laughed. and
motioned toward the crowd outside.
"How can IT.
"You--I might he able TO get you
inf you care to GO
He started "rhen you are an"
"Ohw Her hand fumbIed excitedly
at her neck then dropped to her side
with a little gesture of dismay. I'm
afraid I've lost something
] valued very much II was brooch
an heirloom. And I've lost 1t !"
He struck Il match, and together
they searched the floor
Perhaps you dropped 1t 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 II 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 unelean crowd with
wistful eyes. and there shone IN the
liquid depths u great sadness, and
something far rarer besides--symra-
thy. You poor, wretched people. :" he
heard her murinur. How | wish [
could talk to you as should like la I"
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 ad-
miration-what delight that would be 4
perhaps could do II for you. hs
offered, his voice betraying his eager
ness. Would you like to hear Inc
try?"
Without waiting for her answer,
fearful lest II he a negative. he ell.
bowed his way to the packing case.
mounted 1t. drew a deep breath. and
stood up to his full height. The arc
lamp. beating upon his face. served
uncommOnly well for calcium light.
III MNn0u mr. unitr tifat III