The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-11

Tor the third time, a faint smile eff
facing the frown on his forehead
as he saw the other look back low
eringly. Il seem to be making my
self unpopular What in creations
come over me?"
But no one answered his inquiry.
The brownstone facade of the
house before him met his gaze with
blank, secretive indifference. On
every side he was hemmed In by
high walls, all equally impene-
trable.
The thought of the teeming city
brought him now only sense of
oppression and loneliness, an un-
outstanding that all about him,
while he saw nothing, there were
in progress those myriad mysteries
which make up what men call life.
He was overcome by most dis
concerning certainty that he had
somehow made fool of himself.
"Confound it," he raped out
wrathfully, 81 must be wrong in
the head. I don't know how else
! came to be here, chasing round
after a strange girl like stray
Bedlam when | ought to be at the
bank"
He wheeled about and strobe
down the avenue very determinedly.
It was surely absurd and impos-
sible to allow any such fugitive
glimpse Of a face, no matter how
fair, to interfere with his own hard
won peace Of mind. He resolutely
strove to erase it's blurred outline
from his memory. to dismiss from
his mind all recollection of Its
misty, sea-sweet eyes. He was no
gallant adventurer among women.
The girl could be nothing to him.
And, although he fingered little
as he passed the spot from which
he had seen her, when at last en-
tered the Night and Day bank. 1t
!. was with his old good-humored,
leisurely air of detachment from
difficulty. As far as his outward ap-
pearance went he had not a care in
the world
The process of opening an &C
count there was not unduly lengthy
or complicated. He had neither In
PRODUCTION nor references, but he
i had, what was probably more to
the point, negotiable sight drafts
for a very satisfactory sum. The
Night and Day bank asked him two
or three pertinent questions, and
undertook to collect that for him,
which done he would be welcome
to call for a check-book at his con
venience. It also requested that he
record his signature in its registers
for future reference.
He did so, subscribing himself In
bold hand, "A. Newman" endors-
ed the drafts, in the same name,
and, having laid down the pen, pro-
duced from waistcoat pocket a
small chamois leather case.
I'D like to leave this with you,
er, who raised his eyebrows in
quick surprise when he saw what
the case contained.
my dear Mr.. Newman!" he pro-
tested gravely. "You surely don't
realize the risk you run in carrying
such valuables loose in your peck
cts. The least skilful thief on Fifth
avenue might easily have relieved
you of them and--you no doubt
came through the crowd with your
coat wide open? It's very evident
that you're a newcomer in New
York."
His client smiled pleasantly.
1--WE carried them loose in my
pockets for over year." he as
serted, land In much more danger
GUS places than Fifth avenue. But
the main point is that they're safe
ly here, and here I want them to
stay-if you'll keep them for me.
There are only two, and I'll take
your receipt for stated value of
forty thousand apiece, II you're
agreeable"
They're worth more than that,
OF course" said the banker, exam
lining with critical acumen the lam
bent, rose colored stones which
Quaintance had pushed across to
him, and their owner nodded.
yes, good deal more" he
agreed easily.
well put them in safe deposit
for you. Mr.. Newman" suggested
the man Of money, and so It was
settled. The two rose diamonds
were thus securely bestowed. and
Mr.. Newman" having pocketed
the key to their situation. and prom
ised to look In again at an early
date, departed, on the best of terms
with the Night and Day bank and
himself. II was no slight relief to
be rid Of the care of his assets in
life. and, for all his nonchalance,
the safeguarding of these had cost
him some. anxious moments since
he had acquired them. He was also
pleased that the name he had given
had passed unchallenged. and the
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