The mirror., 1923-08-23
THE FIGURE IN BRONZE
Continued from page Il

Flaming Torch, organ of the "Tri-State
Uplift Association"-ha glass eye (or
is it crossed ?)-runs columns of near-sex
stuff, urges plain speaking, advocates low
cut waists and short dresses for women
and open shirts for men as hygienic, and
safety-valve for morals-speaks at the
Y.M.C.A.-attends Pastors Union sessions
-maneuvered, and finally got possession
of ten-thousand dollar legacy to which
his wife and an orphan sister had fallen
heirs"
aye Godsw calculated Finch.
every word of it is actual facts" re-
sponded Justice earnestly, and she contin-
ued-"Deacon Strobel-dapper little chap
wears glasses and little black silken
moustache-always bowling, smiling, scrap
ing and prancing about like goldfish
out of water-talking-always talking
saying nothing-and follows Rev. DR..
Popular about like shadow, or lackey."
Finch put up his hand and exclaimed
"Great Snakes! What colossal gallery
of dumbbells this human race isl"
Justice eyed him intently as he went on
-"Speaking of DR.. Popular-he was over
at the Salvation Army hall last night.
Made learned and fluent speech about
the problems of the day, and after he had
left, poor devil said to NET needed
someone to tell me the way of life, and he
told me the way of prohibition, social
service, civic righteousness, the way of
capital and labor, evolution of science,
and the higher criticism of the Bible! My
soul was sick, and he treated my head!"
While listening, Miss True had allowed
her eyes to roam about the room, and she
was now gazing interestedy up toward
the large Opaque window just above the
open transom over the doorway. Finch
followed her gaze Justice beckond to a
passing waitress, and said to her, "See
that big red and blue butterfly Auttering
about above the transom, trying to get
out?"
The waitress gave quick glance up
ward and responded, "Yes-its been there
since early morning. 1 opened the transom
SO it could fly out but the poor, silly thing
can't see it. 1t only sees the light through
the milky window-pane, and tries to reach
it through the glass. 1t never willw So
saying, the waitress passed along.
"Pretty little thing, isn't it?" said Justice.
What gorgeous colored wings; black,
velvety body; great, bright beadlike eyes.
Yet how pitiful it seems-all beauty, no
brains, and very little instinct"
Finch interrupted her soliloquizing. There
it goes now; falling, exhausted and bruised
from Auttering against the window-pane."
The little creature lay upon the widow
casing, its wings moving slowly-drooping
feebly, perhaps dying from exhaustion.
Its strength and energy had been useessly
spent and wasted. Yet, just three inches
below, was the open transom which it had
refused to see, although the cool, refreshing
outside air which it felt only increased
its desire to break through the glass.
A number of persons had watched the
incident, and both Finch and Justice sat
for moment, silently thinking.
Presently, Finch remarked-"When I
was working cup the river" few years
ago, l saw just such things enacted in
human life. Men-splendid fellows
filled, with an intense, noble desire to reach,
help, instruct, and lead others into a
larger, nobler, and better life; away from
sordid selfishness, sin, crime, and the base
desires that had filled their hearts and
minds, blighted their lives, and blasted
their hopes. Missionary Clergymen coming
every Sunday,-earnestly talking express
ing beautiful thoughts, preaching, praying,
agonizing in their souls; yet, like that
butterfly, battering away their strength in
fruitless efforts to reach and touch the
II