The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-10-08
PART IILCHAPTER Iv-(Con
tipued).

tihuCAy.
Strobe was silent Together they
moved to the counter. and Johann
passed inside The younger man walked
step or two into the shop. then
turned sharply. He came back to his
former place; but this time he faced
the counter, and leaning forward,
placed his elbows on it, His face looked
older by several degrees than IL had
done the night before: his skin still
gave the curious impression of pallor
under tan; but his eyes had never been
more clear.
Look here" he said at last; 81
haven't come TO talk. I've come to tell
you something and ask you something;
and there's one fact / want you to keep
in mind: that first to last I'm treating
you level-treating you man 10 man
He took off his hat and laid IL on the
counter; his manner was very quiet.
Johann was puzzled; he even felt
momentary conjunction at his own ir-
repressible happiness. He leant back
against the glass of the desk, the
shadows of the woodwork falling heav-
lily about his face. 'It would be
strange If / thought differently, SIR"
he said; you have always been like
that
Strode's eyes tried to pierce the
gloom. I'm glad you think so. 1t
makes it easier for me to start" He
moved slightly. but the expression of
his face did not change. Its about
your masters daughter
A shock of feeling ran through Jo-
ham, raising wild echoes. touching un-
guessed depths. He passed his hand
carefully across his mouth.
The masters daughter He was TO
h,tf Inua nm 10 In Of
can make a man anything. All his new
emotions leaped in surprise and fear;
he drew farther back into the dusk.
Strobe watched him eagerly but the
light was impossible. Some men," he
said at length. would feel justified in
coming here and springing a question
on you: in another circumstance Ia
probably feel justified myself, but not
in this. I've always felt that Fate has
played you good many shabby tricks,
and somehow-somehow I'd rather IIvss
copy Fate" He stopped and smoothed
his hair
Johann waited in fascinated quiet
ITO come TO the point, things stand
Ike this Some time ago 1 met your
masters daughter, where or how doesn't
signify; anyhow. admired her-shs
liked me-and we became friends" For
the first time Strobe spoke fast For
some weeks she has been acting here
4 In town at the 'Corinthian' Theater
Last night she finished her engagement,
and last night, after the play was over,
she didn't come home as usual to the
house where she was staying-she dis
appeared, you understand. He leant
forward and scanned the others face;
his manner was very still, but the
muscles showed in his hands as they
had done the night before
Johann never stirred.
Strode's glance concentrated. Say
somethingl" he exclaimed suddenly.
Don't hang back Ike that Haven't
you anything to say?'
Johann gathered his ideas with diff
Guilty. What am I to say, sir? For
us she disappeared eight years ago.
Strobe raised himself: he seemed TO
find his next sentence difficult He be-
gan II twice. each time In a different
form; then breaking off short, he started
for the third time. and very fast.
Perhaps I've not made matters clear
enough" Again he passed his hand
across his hair. "We-Mrs. Maxtead
and her other friends-we are anxious
we are desperately anxious For the
first time he stressed his words, for the
first time the raging eagerness beneath
SHOWeQ RnEOuSn Ills
Johann's lips closed slowly: he glanced
apprehensively at the parlor door. why
are her friends so very anxious?' was
ell he said.
Strobe Strengthened his shoulders.
Because for weeks she has been in
great trouble-great mental trouble
Can't you grasp what I'm driving at?"
He suddenly lifted his head. "A wo-
man like that doesn't take such step
without very goading reasons With
such a woman very goading reasons
might drive toto anything He
stopped.
Johanns mind was working hard. SYs
pense Is an unyiclding power. "Onces
he said shrewdly, you didn't speak so
of the masters daughter; once you were
bitter when you spoke Of her"
Strobe made an impatient sound
Once he said. "Oh. it's easy to have
been bitter-once." He moved again
into the middle of the shop.
And now For the universe Jo-
ham could not have restrained the
words.
,.Now-I love her.
Johann turned rigid; the voice sank
through his consciousness like running
lead.
STROBE wheeled back TO the counter
and 70 his former place ne glanced as
before at his companions face; but
either the surge of individual feeling
dulled mis- gaze. or Johann was more
fnscrutable than ever. for he observed
nothing.
That's what I cali being straight
with you" he said. There's no need &c
tell you that love her. but l want TO;
il seems more fair She sort OF belonged
here and you've a claim to know. love
her in the right way-in the way that
holds. I've loved her Stree L saw her
first"
Johann noistened his lips. And she
Does she love you?
Strobe looked toward the street
That" he said quietly. 1--WE won't dis
cuss. Well let IL stand that / love her. .
I'VE all do that said Johann fercely
Strobe looked slowly back. II expect
you're about right" he said.
For moment he stayed silent. his