Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-12
CHAPTER NNNIX.


however, was not the Phil Barbara had
seen at Mukojlma. There was no hint
of spruce grooming in his attire; it was
overlaid with the dust and CRIME Of the
road. The iaunty, self-satisfied look was
ravased by something Bringing that sug-
gested sleeplessness and underlined enxiety.
Why should he come at such an hour
and to her? The distaste which her first
view Of him had inspired returned with
added force as she felt the touch Of his
hand and heard herself say:
so this is Phil / have often heard
Of you from your brother. Have you
seen him.
NO" he said. 81 don't want him to
you" He paused, twisting his cloth cap
in his fingers.
lie was in desperate strait His
brothers silence since his visit to the
house in Aoyama (of which Phil had
learned from the servanU, had seemed
to mean the worst. Tho place had con-
tanned sufficient documents in evidence as
to his mode of living, and the reflection
opened gloomy vistas of poverty from
which he turned with abieCt fear and
dread. There was one alternative and
this, grisy shadow, had stalkcd beside
him since an evening when he had dined
with Bersonin. 1t had peopled his sleep
with terrifying visions which even Haru
and the brandy had been unable to Danish
and his waking hours had been haunted
by the experts yellowish eyes. Between
dovi and deep sea, he had heard of his
brothers engagement, and the wild thought
of appealing to him through Barbara had
come to him as a forlorn hope. Now,
face to face with her, he found the
words difficult to say.
Won't you sit DOWN." she said. and
took chair opposite him, looking ut him
inquiringly.
Il ought to apologize for rig like
this" he went on, CHANGING at his sorry
rainent, but | came in a friends motor,
and I'm going back tonight | thought
you wouldn't mind, now-now that you
are engaged to marry Austen. You are,
aren't your
She inclined her head. Yes" she said
slowly, Il have promised to marry him"
Then you know him pretty well, and
you know that he-that he doesn't alto
gether approve of me-"
IL have never heard him say that" she
interrupted quickly.
ITS true, though he rejoined bitterly
He's always been down on me. I'm not
staid enough for him lie made his money
by grubbing, and he thinks everybody else
ought to do the same. lists the matter
Of money l want to speak you about
you see, Ausen never overlooks any
thing. He's as likely as not to cut me off
entirely and leave me high and dry IL
thought perhaps you would-you might get
him to do the decent thing and help me out
Of the hole. If / once got straight ia stay
so, but l want a fair allowance. 1t is as
If he had 10 work for what / spend lie
ought to give It to me. l can't so on as
l am; I'm in debt-in deep. l can't take
up my chits at the club. I'm living in
Tokyo now-in Japanese house in Aoy-
anna that friend has loaned me-because
l haven't the face to show myself in
Yokohama"
lie twirled his cap and looked up at
her THAT reminds me-" he said, with a
sudden recollection. Austen was there
the other day when / was away and after
ward ] found something Of yours which
he must have dropped. Here 1t is. 1t has
your name on it," He handed her a small
loclIet with broken chain.
She took it with an exclamation. She was
staring at him strangely. This house you
speak of-whose is it?"
1T belongs TO Mr.. Daunt"
You mean-you say-that you have been
living in it?'
yes. Why?"
She had risen slowly to her feet, her
face hotly suffused "Then-then Haru-"
She spoke in a dry whisper.
lie started, looking at her with quick,
reSentful suspicion. What do you know
about Haru?"
Never mind! Never mind that! ] want
to know. Haru-she is-Alr. Daunt was
not"
He never saw her in his life so far
as / know" ne answered sulkly What
has that 60 do with it,
For an instant she looked at him with
out a word her fingers working Then
she BEGAN To Iau-h. i'm a low tone, wildly,
chol'nEly. cot course! OF COURSE What
has that to do with fl? What you want
is more money, isn't il! That ia all you
came to tell me-"
He, too, vas on his feet uov. ulcer-
tain and ustus,fal Was She narfny
game OF hm? lie saw Barravas gaze
go Iast h,u-,o laston on something in tho
acEErcurd. lie turned. In the door
way with is ma2Ic-loa portlere stood
Austen Ware
barbara laugh had fallen in a shud-
denina breath that was like a sob "liere
is yyu. brother now she said. Austen
Pail I have lc,u getting acquainted. And
wh-t GO you thlnk, Iic has .ugnd my lose
loekot' she he'd d nap toward him.
lie had come toward them. IA The
DIM usht his face looked very while. and
his eyes gittered ike quicksilver. lie
held out his hand,
Why. Ill.' Dr exclaimed ...rII4 g.