United labor bulletin., 1913-11-15

tne dspnalt, ponce ambulance drew
up at the alley. Phinney and Van vech-
ten were jostled with the others, and
the latter's attention was distracted
from the girl and the sandy-haired man.
He watched a second officer and the
young surgeon leap nimbly down; the
, first to join his comrade in holding
the crowd in check, the other to rem
der such aid to the stricken man as
any faint indication of life might call
for. The motionless figure, however,
was beyond the reach of any surgeons
skill; it required but a cursory inspec-
ton to determine this.
Van Vechten saw, hazily, the young
physician Indicate the mark on the
mans temple, and lay the tip of fore
finger upon another spot behind the
left ear, the while he talked in under
tones to the two policemen. Then the
crowd quieted, and he had an oppor-
tunity to look at the girl again.
1t was, with something of a shock
that he realized she was no longer con-
fronting him. His glance flew quickly
hither and thither-even hoping for
the sandy-haired man, as a sort of
clue-but she was nowhere to be seen
Both had vanished.
The ambulance was now departing
with its silent burden. the crowd was
| dissolving or breaking up into little
groups to discuss the tragedy, and the
two friends were walking at leisure
ly pace back to the Powhatan. Once
| more to themselves, and Tom Phin-
| ney's volubility returned.
why the dickens didn't you want
to tell him what you know" he de-
| manded.
The answer was uttered softly.
Tom, whatever reasons l may have
/ couldn't put into words. At least, /
sha'n't attempt to just now. You sure
ly know what a 'hunch' is; your
scheme of life seems largely to be gov
| erned by them"
HUH" grunted Tom, without under
standing. but Inadvertently hitting up
on part of the reason for his friends
reticence. ut is the yelled lady in the
taxi; you think you are on the scent
| of an adventure. Rats! No adventure
| there. She was a lady, 1 can tell you
| that"
The other gave him sharp glance.
as If estimating the degree of his per-
] spicacity. How much could Tom tell?
"Tom"-after a moment. If you
must falkland l know your limita-
tons as compared with your inten-
| tions-promise me that you will not
| mention the lady in the taxi-to any
| body"
Van Vechten's manner was so delib-
crate and grave that Tom favored him
with Z questioning stare.
why, sure. Ruddy," was the prompt
and hearty response-"if it's as seri-
GUS as all that You know her-what?"
| No. / don't But / think that
should-which is quite a different
thing"
He knew that one phase c. the morn
| ing's happenings would not be too
much for Tom to keep to himself. and
for some unexplained reason Van
Vechten wanted it to be the mysteri-
GUS lady of the taxi-cab.
As they were turning into the Pow
hatan's granite archway, Van Vech-
ten bent an inquisitive glance toward
Number 1913. His curiosity was now
| immeasurably augmented by a fresh
| interest. And he received another
! shock-one that fairly staggered him
| For the first time in all the months
that he had surveyed the silent facade,
he caught movement at one OF the
/ blinds. 1t was drawn aside, and he
was afforded momentary glimpse of
a girls face-the face of the girl in
the crowd.
But 1t was not this circumstance
alone that stirred him. She was gaz-
\ ing directly at him with a look that
was both bitterly scornful and accus-
\ ing. In this new mien the face was
| even more beautiful than he had dared
hope for But why should she be with
\ ering him with look of contemptu-
| Gus disdain and rebuke? He had never
| in all his life seen her face before this
day.
He was actually stung to an fnvolun-
| tary expression of protest.
| My God, Don't-don't look at me
like that!"
"Er-what?" Tom ierked out, slew
/ ing around and following Van Vech-
tens set gaze.
| But the blinds were again closed.
You need a cocktail" Tom coun-
seled pithily after a pause. This
thing of not going to bed at night SO
as to be up before noon has got you
to seeing things"
MY dear fellow" was the composed
reply. you can't imagine how emf
nently correct you are in that conclu-
sion" And as they passed inside; No
| cocktail. though. thanks. And II you
| do not mind. so talk to somebody else;
| want to think"
tContinued next week.