Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-16

Ordinarily he would have been vexed. He would
have considered the other unduy familiar. But ordi-
narily he would have CHANGED upon this Shutn
park with its tiny lily pond and its poorly clad tmor
Gus habitues He realized the strangeness of the sua
ton vaguely, and pondered it as he accepted
it. The last half-hour had been mystifying one for
him psychologicay. He had never experienced curl
osty before or at least not for so long time that
its memory was disappointing and unreal. But now,
since he had entered the limousine, it seemed to him
he had begun to be curious, to wonder about things,
the very simplest and most commonplace of things.
He aware of intense curiosity concerning the
being who sat two feet from him on the same bench.
He turned, that he could observe the other. The
park illuminated by two street lamps, and the other
occupant of the bench sat directly in the light of
of these He was dressed in suit of dark color,
and Wore derby hat which was pushed down on his
forehead He sat with his legs sprawled before him.
though very weary, and his head had fallen back
that the hat about to drop behind the bench and
the light from the street lamp fell full upon his face.
He overcoat, and the hands were showed into
the trousers pockets
At first Werner thought that the other asleep,
and wondering vaguely what might be the fellows
particular line of misfortune, when he became aware
that the not asleep, but covertly watching
him. He knew this from the fact that the others body
not relaxed from physical WEAKNESS There was
tenseness about the position, about the spraddled
legs, that could not accompany sleep, even on park
bench But the thing that satisfied him of his suspicion
the others eyes which he caught peerlng from be-
Meath the dropping lids under the tilted derby.
1t gave Werner kind of interest in himself to know
that he watched. His curiosity increased. He de-
cided to put this interest to test He rose slowly and
the figure the bench, with his overcoat open, show
ing the evening clothes Then he deliberately went
through the park and out into the less lighted street
beyond.
HE walked slowly, and when he into the deep
- shadow of of the larger apartment houses he
stopped and looked back at the park From its sparse
shadow figure creeping, figure clad in suit OF
dark material and derby hat. The figure hestated
moment peerng cautiously into the shadow then hur
ried the lighted street. The had quickened
his step and gazing fXedly ahead when he came
abreast of Werner. Then he Werner and stopped.
The catlike creeping began again. Werner was look
ing down. apparently of the others presence
The figure Werner looked up just as the
other raised his
Werner grasped the ARM and his viselike grip para
lived the others movements. The would-be footpad
slight, weak, hardly reaching to Werners broad
shoulders.
"Well?" said Werner he released him and stepped
back
The other stood nursing his He not look
ing Werner His shoulders sagged, the whole figure
spoke hopeeSsneSS.
"Well?" repeated Werner
go on and call the cop said the other. There's
one around the corner.
The voice had the raspng, unpleasant sound with
which Werner associated thugs 1t was SOFT almost
efennate, tired voice, without hope. Werner's in
terest doubled
"What did you intend to do?' he asked
The other looked up and dropped his arm to his
side He stared at Werner in the darkness wonder
ingly..
cept that wanted money and you seemed to have it,
more than you needed
as that your usual manner of acquiring what you
WANT" questioned Werner Even to him. it ap-
parent that his voice had lost its queruous accent
and sounded interested family amused.
The erStwh1le thug closer to his 1nqu1SltOr and
looked at him ntently The affair had evidently taken
for him. most surprising trend NO. he said calmly,
with touch of assurance in his voice, sit isn't. never
thought that l would ever try to rob man. never
took anything in my life that wasn't mine But
The voice broke. The figure seemed to Werner to
sagger slightly in the darkness He involuntarly put
nd md he Oth though q