The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-06-27

been anywhere between 40 and 30.
Tho shoulders were broad and the
hands which lay clasped upon the
table were slim but muscular. In,
deed, everything about him suggest.
cd hidden strength and vitality. Ills
companion was small. handsome
and animated. Her frequent ges-
lures and mutahis eyebrows be.
trayed her foreign birth. Her age
was a matter OF importance TO no
one but herself
They were at coffee when she
said. There's a young man com
Ing toward us. io Ii looking at
you"
Tho man turned. Instantly his
face lighted up with friendly
smile OF recognition.
who il it7- she asked.
"A chap worth knowing re-
porter Just little out OF the ordi-
nary. I'm going TO Introduce him.
You never can toll. Wa might need
him some day. All. Norton. how
are your"
Good evening. Mr.. nraine.- The
reporter. catching sight OF n pair
OF dazzling eyes. hesitated.
The Princess Perlgoff. Norton.
You're IN no hurry. are your"
Not now" smiled tho reporter.
"Ahi" said the princess. interest.
ed. II was the old compliment.
said In an unusual way. IL pleased
her.
The reporter sank into chair.
When inactive he was rather a
dreamyry-d sort Of chap. Ho poa.
sessed that rare accomplishment OF
talking upon one subject and think
ing upon another at tho same time.
So. while he talked gayiy with the
young woman on varied themes.
his thoughts were busy specializing
upon her companion. He was quite
certain that tho name Braine was
assumed. but no was also equally
certain that the man carried an CT.
traordinary brain under hiH thatch
OF salt and pepper hair. Tho man
had written three or four briiliau,
monographs on polsons and the uses
OF radtum. and IL was through and
by these that tho reporter had
managed 10 pick up his acquaint.
ance. He lived well. bu, incon-
spicuousiy.
Suddenly the pupils OF Bralne's
eyes narrowed: thu ere became
cold. Over the smoke OF his Gig.
aret he was looking into tho wall
mirror. A man had passed behind
him and sat down at tho next table.
Still gazing into the mirror. Braine
saw Norton wave his hand. saw also
the open wonder on the reporters
pleasant face.
Who IL your friend. Norton p
Braine asked indifferentiy. his head
still unturned.
Stanley Hargrcave. Met him In
Hongkong when was cent over
TO handle n part OF the revolution.
War correspondence stuff. Ffrst
time ! ever ran across him on
broadway at night We've since
had some powwows over some rare
books. Queer old cock. brave as
lion but AZ quiet as mouse"
"Bookish. chr Ny kind. Bring
him over" Underneath the table
Braine maneuvered to touch the
foot OF the princess.
x don't know" said the reporter
obviously. HE might say no. and
that would embarrass the whole 10,
OF us. He's BIT OF hermit. I'm
surprised TO see him here"
Try, urged the princess. II like
TO meet men who are hermita."
Il haven't the least doub. about
that" the reporter laughed. "rll
try, but don't blame me IL I'm re-
| buffed."
He left the table with evident re-
luctance and approached Hargreave.
The two shook hands cordially. for
the elder man was rather fond OF
this medley OF information known
as Jim Norton.
sit down. boy. SIT down. You're
Just the kind OF n man I've been
wanting to talk to tonight"
Wouldn't you rather talk to a
pretty woman"
I'm an old man"
Bah! That's hypocritical
bluff. and you know II. My friends
at the next table have asked me
to bring you over"
Il do not usually care 10 NEE,
strangers.
Make an exception this once"
said the reporter, who had seen
Braine's eyes change and was curl
GUS to know why the appearance oil
Hargreaye in the mirror had
brought about that metaIly CLEAN
Here were two unique men: he do
sired TO zee them face TO face.
This once. My fault; ought
not to be here: I feel out of place
What a lie. though. you reporters
lead To meet kings and prest
dents and great fInanciers, social
lists and anarchists. the whole scale
OF life, and to slap these people
on the back as II they were
everyday friendsl"
Now you're making fun OF me
For one king there are always
twenty thick brogans ready to klcl
me down the steps: don't forget
| that"
Hargreave laughed Come. then
let lis get II over with"
The introductions were made
Norton felt rather chagrlned. Sc
far as he could see. tho two men
were total strangers. Well, IL waf
all In the game. Nine out of ten
opportunities for the big story were
J fake alarms; but he was always