The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1911-03-06

utes in vigorous exercise with the
dumb-bells, followed by cole
shower. After a quick, hard rub
down, he dressed very carefully
The mirror told him that his
sleeplessness had left no trace 9th
err than the faint shadows under
the eyes and slight pallor thai
was very becoming. More thar
ever, 1t seemed to him, did the
face he saw resemble the face he
had used to see in the ivory mini
allure. But the resemblance haC
ceased to warn!
He went out and, boarding a
car, rode downtown to his favor
lite grill-room, where he sat for
more than an hour dawdling Ian.
guidly over his breakfast. For an.
other hour he tramped the streets
listlessly, steering an aimless
course through the busting
crowds. A faint, not unpleasant
melancholy fell upon him, such as
sometimes comes to one who be-
holds an autumn sunset or the un-
happy denouement of a play. He
fingered luxuriously in the mood
tasting it's flavor.
! Like the flavor of rare old
wine," thought this connoisseur OF
sensations. He walked on, sip.
ping the intoxicating draft.
He came to a corner where
stood a blue-goggled beggar, in.
dustriously turning the crank of a
wheezy hand-organ and wearing a
placard, please Help the Blind
Paul stopped before him.
| You're probably a fraud" he
said, thinking aloud. "But so am
l. We frauds must help one an.
other. For good luck!" And he
dropped handful of silver change
into the beggar's cup. The blind
beggar looked wonderingly al
him through the blue goggles, as
Paul walked away.
His course, without conscious
intention, led him to the First Ma.
tional Bank building. Nor was
he conscious of any exercise OF
Will. one way or the other, as he
entered the elevator and was
whisked to Sanger's offices. Sang.
err greeted him cordially, with nc
outward sign of exultation. Paul's
only sensations were surprise
that it was so easy and matter-of.
Ifact-and somewhat of a disap.
lpointment that it was so flat and
tasteless treachery upon
which he had brooded so forebod.
Iingly. He read the formal state
ment twice before signing; he
could not realize that it meant
the end of six years friendship
the beginning of a new scheme OF
existence for him. Only when
the notary administered the oath
did he feel a qualm. A slight
shiver passed over him. Then he
laughed uncertainty. He drew a
deep breath, of relief-he thought
that it was over. The melan.
choly returned.
| His next stop was az a tele.
phone booth, where he called VI
the Sanger home. In response tC
his inquiries, Eleanor's maid in
at home. She had gone down
town in the automobile. When
did madam expect to be at home
Madam had left word that she
would not be at home until very
late in the afternoon, intending tc
lunch downtown. Madam had
signified her intention of going tC
a certain department store to dc
some shopping.
Paul hung up the receiver, and
lsteered straight course for the
department store designated
With sigh of relief he espied the
big, hooded automobile standing
before the entrance to the store
The chauffeur was fussily exam
lining the machine. Paul stopped
and abstractedly watched him
The latter touched his hat, i'm
portantly continuing his labors
which seemed to be superfluous
Paul sat in the machine and wait
ed, smoking dreamily. An houl
later he heard surprised,
| "What are you doing here?"
He turned quickly, his eyes
lighting up warmly, Waiting fol-
iyou."
She laughed. "I was so vain a.
to guess that. Are you coins
somewhere? Perhaps we can SCI
you down there?"
Eyes" he said with proprie
tary air, "Tm going to luncheon
And you are coming with me-"
"Is that an invitation? Then
accept. I'll let you into a Sc
cret. l have been wretchedly
lonely all morning. / came shop
ping Just to escape 1t. And 1 was
dreading the prospect of an after
noon alone in that big, empty
house"
"Then I'm twice glad I wait
ed"
J He opened the door and they
both entered the car. James crank.
ed and deity lodged through the
crowded thoroughfares toward the
restaurant Paul had chosen.
Within the car they sat in a
frank, intimate silence. Paul
looking gravely out Of the win
dow, evinced an unusual disin-
clination to talk, and Eleanor
wondering whether she had been
wise to accept his invitation, was
glad enough to humor his mood
Her coming had not dissipated
the melancholy that enveloped
him; she merely added a sort OF
mellow sweetness that made the