The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-10-10

CHAPTER |.

a gentleman VINO. leaving his ON cGS !
On lower Broadway trife after four. /
presently ensconeed himself IN cor
ner seat OF Subway express and
opened before him a damp afternoon
paper with an eye for the market
reports) was surprised, when the
train crashed heavily into the Four
teenth Street station, TO find himself
afoot and making for the door: this
although his intention had been to
alight at Grand Central Thus it may
be, that trfckster In US all, which We
are accustomed vaguely to denouli.
nate the subconscIous mind. directs
cur actions TO an end predestined.
Surprised, he hesitated; and for
that was rewarded by having his heels
trodden by the passenger behind. This
decided him, absurdiy enough. and he
went on and out, solacing himself
with a muttered something. hardly
definite, about stroll benefting him.
So, transferring to a local train, he
alighted at Twenty-third Street.
climbed the stairs and proceeded
briskIy west. buffeted by a rowdy
wind.
Striking diagonally across Madison
Square Park. past the drearily letting
fountain and between arrays of empty
benches scarcely beggarly (since that
class had deserted them for warmer
lounging placesl he turned northward
on Fifth Avenue, threading the early
evening throngs with a spring of inn
patience in his stride to distance cas-
uai competition; and received upon
mind still impressionable. for all that
it had ample food for meditation and
nursed a private grievance, variety
Of pleasurable suggestions.
Dusk, the early violet dusk OF late
November, brooded over the city,
blurring its harsh contours, subduing
its too blatant youth, lending an IL
fusion resembling the dim enchant-
ment of antiquity.
Near Twenty-ninth Street he check
ed sharply and stood briefly debating
something suggested by sight of a
shop window we'll known to him:
ut might save time: one may as
well be sure"
Turning, he descended a pair OF
stone steps and crossed a tagged
area to door set at one side of a
window dressed with confusion of
odd, enticing things: a display that
tempted the eye with the colors of the
rainbow fainting under weight of
years and dust. A bell tipkled over
head as he opened and shut the door,
letting himself into deep and mar
row room crowded with heterogen-
eous assemblage Of objects that CLAM
mered with weird splendor in semi
gloom made visible by half a dozen
electric bulbs generously spaced. In
the rear. beyond a partitioning screen
shone a warmer light.
For the moment he saw no one Ad.
vancing few PAGES he halted, wait
ing.
From behind the screen, at the back
soft stepping, smiling to greet good
customer of discerning taste. The lat
ter went to meet him with a pleasan,
air of liking.
Good evening, Mr. Miller"
Good evening, Mr. Coast Some
thing I can show you this evening""
THE telephone, If you please
Coast laughed little and was an
| swered cheerful1y.
Certainly. This way"
| He was conducted behind thu
| screen, where, beneath strong light
an assistant at jewelers. bench sa
laboriously occupied with some tasl
of delicate artifice. He looked up a!
| Coast entered, with greeting cordi
ally returned. Coast went directly tt
the telephone, a wall instrument, I'm
hooked the receiver and detailed {
number to Central. The proprietor
disappeared into an adjoining room
An instant later Coast spoke again.
That you, soames? Thu
Is Mr.. Coast. Is Miss Katherine a
home? !. Then will you flint
out, please. Ask her If she has tim'
to see me for a few moments befor'
| dinner. - Very well"
! There was lengthening pause, dur
ing which the antique dealer silentl.
returned, his genial eye alternating
i between Coast and a crystal decante
i he had fetched.
Yes, Central, waiting" Coast pu
i his hand over the transmitter an
! wagged a reproving head. Going t
try to poison me, Miller?"
i Just drop of old brandy, MI
Coast-very old, from my home Il
| France"
Coast nodded, recalled to the tele
phone. Hello, Soames. Yer
we'll Tell her I called, please.
No, no message, thank you. Goodby.
As he hung up the receiver. a war;
Ing Naturalization sounded at til
front door. Miller. busy with glasses
looked TO his assistant See who tina
IS. Charley he said. The assistan
slipped from his seat, switched o
more light in the front OF the shor
and vanished round the screen.
AS he did SO. Coast heard the run
BILE Of mans voice. followed by
woman's ringing laugh, a thought to
loud
Miller was offering him a glass. H
bowed, took 1t and held it TO his lip
fer a moment without tasting, fnha
ing the mellow bouquet Of the Iquo
THAT is good he said. and sippe
! critically.
The very best. DIR. Coast. There
little Ike it out Of France"
I'm glad | thought OF imposing Q