Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-18
The Abandoned Room
: BY Wadsworth Camp.

you ought tQ, be out there before
half-past ten"
Bobby shook his head
AN engagement for dinner, Hart
ley. I'm expecting Carlos Paredes
to pick me up here any minute"
Graham's disapproval was bellig-
Why, in the name of heaven,
Bobby, do you run around with that
damned Panamanian? Steer him off
tonight. I've argued with you be-
fore. It's unpleasant, | know, but
the man carries every mark of
crookedness."
Easy with my friends. Hartley!
You don't understand Carlos. He's
good fun when you know him
awfully good fun
so" Graham said, rs this sort
of thing. Too many cocktails, too
much wine. Paroles has the same
pleasant, dangerous quality"
A club servant entered.
In the reception room, Mr..
Blackburn.
Bobby took the card, tore it into
little bits, and dropped them one by
one into the waste-paper basket.
Tell him I'll be right out" He
turned to Graham.
Sorry you don't like my play
mates. I'll probably run out after
dinner and let the old man terrorize
me as a ure for his own fear. Pleas
ant prospect! So long"
Graham caught at his arm.
I'm sorry. Can't we forget to-
night that we disagree about Par
edes? Let me dine with you"
Bobby's laugh was uncomfortable.
Come on, if you wish, and be my
guardian angel. God knows l need
one"
He walked across the hall and into
the reception room. The light was
not brilliant there. One or two
men sat reading newspapers about
a green-shaded lamp on the center
table, but Bobby didn't see Paroles
at first. Then from the obscurity of
corner a form, tall and graceful.
emerged with slow monotony of
movement suggestive of stealth. The
mans dark, sombre eyes revealed
nothing. His jet black hair, parted
in the middle, and his carefully
trimmed Van Dyke beard gave him
an air Of distinction, an air, at IT,
same time, a trihe too reserved. For
a moment the green light stained
his face unhealthy, Bobby could
understand Graham's aversion. He
brushed the idea aside.
Glad you've come, Carlos"
The smile of greeting vanished
abruptly from Paroles face. He
looked with steady eyes beyond
Bobby's shoulder. Bobby turned.
Graham stood on the threshold, his
face little too frank. But the two
men shook hands.
"I'd an idea until I saw Bobby"
Graham said. that you'd gone back
TO Panama"
Paroles yawned.
Each year I spend more time in
New York. Business suggests it.
Pleasure demands it.
His voice was deep and pleasant,
but Bobby had often remarked that
it, like Paroles eyes, was too re-
served. 1t seemed never to call on
its obvious powers of expression. Its
accent was noticeable only i'll
pleasant, polished sense.
Hartley" Bobby explained, lis
dining with us"
Paroles let no disapproval slip,
but Graham FASTENED to explain.
Bobby and l have an engagement
Immediately after dinner"
"An engagement after dinnerl l
didn't understand"
Lets think of dinner first"
Bobby said. "We can talk about
engagements afterward. Perhaps
you'll have a cocktail here while we
decide where we're going"
THE aperitif I should like very
MUCH" Paroles said. about dinner
there is nothing to decide. l have
arranged everything. There's table
waiting in the Fountain room at the
c. and there I have planned little
surprise for you"
He wouldn't explain further.
While they drank their cocktails
Bobby watched Graham's disap-
prevail grow. The man glanced con-
tinually at his watch. In the restau-
rant, where Paroles left them to
produce, as he called it, his surprise,
Graham appraised with a frown the
voluble people who moved intri-
cately through the hall.
To Be Continued.