The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-03-18
CHAPTER I.


wind could not dull the gloss of his
buoyancy. Like a furious mastiff it
tore at him angrily, swapping viciously
at his poorly protected body, snarling
and bowling malevolently. But to him
it was no more than a 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 a popular coon song.
He was wretchedly clad-a mass of
rags and tatIcrs. His face was
smudged With y healthy growth of jet
black beard, and II 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 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
clothes detective, Pat Kelly by name
who yesterday had arrested him on a
vagrancy charge and released him
with warning to leave the city or suf.
fer the consequences.
There was no time for hesitation.
He had caught Kellys 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. 1t 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 diagonally across the street,
and smashed slap-bang against brick
wall.
The hood Of the car was Chved 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 a 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 Sc
verer punishment than resisting On Of
ficer.
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
insidiouSly beautiful and frankly femi'
nine girls who command golden opin'
ions from all men, slavish obedience
from most, and the envy and Jealousy
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 contemplate cowardw she ac
cused spiritedly. ITO attack a man
when his back is turned J"
Kelly smiled down at her indulgent
ty and shook his head.
"No, MISS" said he, "you misjudge
me; I'm a plain-clothes man from
detective headquarters"
"That does not alter the first fact,
she retorted. Fumbling hastily in hel
purse. she confronted Kelly as ne
started off with his prisoner.
"If you arrest that man." she criec
warningly, I'll"
She left the sentence uncompleted
and plucking visiting card from he'
purse thrust it into the detectives
hand. He read the name thereon, anc
then looked at the girl with respect
as sudden as it was profound.
'Let me see; you're Mr. BLACK
burns"
"Niece. He will grant me any favor
ask of him. Do you still wish te
take your prisoner"
Officer Kelly capitulated uncondi
tionally. Without word he lifted his
hat half an inch fTom his head ano
turned on his heel and walked swiftly
away.
The girl stepped back from the lid
Grated one and surveyed him curiously
from head to foot. He had shifted ar
odor of violets when she was neal
him, and he saw now it came from
cluster on lapel Of her tan motor
coat. He felt ashamed. For perhaps
the first time In his life Of vagabond
age he was conscious Of his rags, OF
his unwashed body, Of his unshaver
face, Of his slothful dirtiness. And M
was ashamed.
take this dollar" she said, hold
ing out a bill to him, "and buy some
soap with it. Candidly, ! believe yo'
are the dirtiest young man / eve
saw"
The hot color receded from hi
cheeks, leaving them, If one could hav'
seen the skin, as white as marble
Very daintily he took the bill from he
fingers, crumpled it In his capaciou