The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-04-01
The City of
Purple Dreams
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without reason or purpose. The police
instantly suspeeting a riot, rushed La.
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 a narrow hallway. He
regsined his feet IN a second, and
stepping outside closed the door and
stood with his back against 1t.
The next moment a singular thing
happened. From out that frenzied
mob, like a ship tossed by a restless
sea into a haven Of safety. q woman
was swept squarely into his arms For
bare moment he held her, flushed
and palpitating, in a close embrace
Then he released her and saw her hat
was missing and that her clothing was
torn and disarrayed.
THANK your she exclaimed breath
iessIy.
The rays of a nearby street lamp
fell athwart her face, and his first
thought was that she was a Jewess;
then a Russian, he added, apparently
of good birth and schooling. Though
she spoke with slight foreign accent,
her English was dramatically per-
feet Her forehead, unusually broad
and high for 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:
'T-my name is Fitzhugh. You needn't
tell me yours if you'd rather not"
81 see no reason why l shouldn't"
she retorted, yet with the hot color
flooding her cheeks. 81 am Esther
Strom, Mr.. Fitzhugh, and I am very
happy to know you, even if only for
a minute She held out to him
small, dark hand, and he pressed it in
his large, white one.
"Are you going insidef" she asked.
81 don't think So" he laughed, and
motioned toward the crowd outside.
How can I?'
"You-I might be able to get you
inf you care to CO."
He started. ''Then you are an"
"OhV Her hand fumbled excitedly
at her neck, then dropped to her side
with a little gesture of dismay. I'm
afraid I've lost something something
1 valued very much. 1t was brooch
an heirloom. And I've lost it,"
He struck a 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 a 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
wistfuI eyes, and there shOne in the
liquid depths a great sadness, and
something far rarer besides-sympa-
! thy. "You poor, wretched people! 7" he
heard her murmur. "HOw I wish
could talk to you as should like to ~
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 I
Perhaps I could do it for you" he
offered, his voice betraying his eager
ness. would you like to hear me
uy2"
Without waiting for her answer,
fearful lest it be a negative, he ell
bowed his way TO the packing case.
mounted it, drew deep breath, and
stood up to his full height. The arc
lamp, beating upon his face, served
uncommonly well for a calcium light.