Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-05-06

Germ, ne realized that he would be late
at dinner. No matter; he would as
willingly miss 1t altogether. For the
time being he was absorbed IN vain
speculations about an unknown won.
an whose sole claim .pon his consid.
Grafton lay in a certain but immaterial
glamour Of mystery. Had she, or had
she not, been In the house? And, II
the true answer were In the affiriua.
tive, to what end, upon what errand?
His eyes focused insensibly upon a
void of darkness beneath him--night
made visible by street lamps: and he
found himself suddenly and acutely
sensible OF the wonder and mystery of
the City; the City whose secret life
ran fluent upon the hot, hard pave.
ments below, whose voice throbbed,
sibilant, vague, strident, inarticulate,
upon the night air; the City of which
he was part equally with the girl in
gray, whom he had never before seen.
and in all likelihood was never to
see again, though the two of them
were to work out their destinies within
the bounds of Manhattan island. And
yet
1T would be strange" said Maitland
thoughtfully, III :" He shook
his head, smiling. 1.-TWO shall be
born" quoted Mad Maitland, senti.
mentally
1.-TWO shall be born the whole wide
world apart"
piano organ, having maliciously
sneaked up beneath his window, drove
him indoors with crash of metallic
melody.
AS he dropped the curtains his eye
was arrested by CLEAN Of white upon
his desk--a letter placed there, doubt.
less, by O'Hagan In Maitlands alb.
sence. AT the same time, splashing
and gurgling of water from the dlrec-
| ton Of the bathroom informed him
that the janitor-valet was even then
preparing his bath. But that could
! wait.
| Maitland took up the envelope and
tore the flap. remarking the name and
| address Of his lawyer in its upper left.
hand corner Unfolding the Enclosure
he read date week old and two
lines requesting him to communicate
with his legal adviser upon "a matter
| OF pressing moment"
"Bother!" said Maitland. What the
dickens
He pulled up short, eyes lighting.
! That's so, you know" he argued,
Zimmerman WIZ be delighted, and
| and even businera Is better than rush
ing round town EaG pretending to or.
J JOY yourself when It's hotter than the
seven brass hirgeS Of hell and you
can't think OF ANYTHING else.
III do it,"
He stepped quickly 10 the corner Of
the room, where atoad the telephone
upon a small side table, sat down, and
| receiver to ear, gave CENTRAL a mum
Der. In another moncnt he was In
communication with his attorneys res.
| idence.
rs Mr.. Bannerman inf would like
| to-"
why, Mr.. Bannerm6r' How do
you do?"
You're looking 100 pr cent bet
| ter
BAD, mad word! NauGi'sy!-"
Maitland, OF course"
Been out Of town and just got your
note"
Your beastly penchant for econ.
omy. It's not stamped; / presume you
hty no h, F,,tst
president Of the United States whom
you now employ as office boy. And
O'Hagan didn't forward it for that
reason"
Important, Ell? I'm only In for the
night"
Then come and dine with me at the
Primordial. III put the others off,"
Good enough. In an hour, then ?
| Good-by."
Hanging up the receiver, Maitland
| ting 1t to his ear. This time he called
up Sherry's, asked for the head waiter,
and requested that person to be kind
enough to make his excuses to "Mr.
| Greasy and party" he. Maitland, was
| detained upon a matter Of moment,
but would endeavor to join them at q
| later hour.
Then, with n satisfied smile, he
turned away, with purpose to dispose
Of Bannerman's note.
Baths ready, sor."
O'Hagan's announcement fell upon
needless ears. Maitland remained mo-
| tionless before the desk--transtixed
with amaZement.
Baths ready, or!"--imperatively
Maitland reused slightly.
Very WELL in minute, O'Hagan."
Yet for some time he did not move.
| Slowly the heavy brows contracted
over intent eyes as he strove to puz-
zle 1t out. At length his lips moved
\ noiselessly.
Am awaken" was the question he
| put his consciousness.
Wondering, he bent forward and
drew the tip of one forefinger across
the black polished wood Of the writing
bed. 1t left dark, heavy line. And
beside, clearly defined in the heavy
| layer OF dust, was the silhouette OF a
| hand; woman's hand, small, delicate.
Enthusiastically feminine OF contour
Welt" declared Maitland, frankly.
Il am damned"
| gro BE CONTINUED