The Washington times., 1919-04-09
CHAPTER II
~ BssaksF1


CHATTER III
~ BssakeRG-
The east dining room was almott
empty nov, though the lobby and
the cafe beyond still, sWaFmed with
people arriving and departing
Brandes. chatting at the telephone,
had finally succeeded In getting
Stull on the wire, only to learn
that the news from Saratoga was
not agreeable; that they had lost
on every horse. Also, Stull had an
other disquieting item to detail; It
seemed that Maxy Venem had been
seen that morning In the act Of
departing for New York on the fast
express; and with him was a
woman resembling Brandes' wife.
"Who saw herr demanded
"Doc. He didn't get a good
square look at her. You know the
hats women wear?
"All right. I'm on, Ben. Good
bye"
The haunting uneasiness which
had driven him to the telephone
persisted when he came out Of the
booth. He cast q slow, almost
sleepy glance around him, saw no
familiar face In the thronged lobby,
then he looked at his watch.
The car had been ordered for
10; Il lacked half an hour Of the
time: he wished he had ordered the
car earlier.
For now his uneasiness was verg-
ing on that species OF superstitious
inouietude which at times obsesses
F@h - EnnTrrT1
as a "hunch." He had q hunch
that he was 'in wrong" somehow
or other; an oVerpowering longing
to get on board the steamer
assailed him-a desire to get OUT
Of the city, get away quick.
Amazed at Own ReeAIessRess.
The risk he had taken was be-
ginning to appear to him as an un-1
warranted piece OF recklessness; he
was amazed with himself for TAX
ing such a chaace-dBgusted At
his foolish and totally unnecessary
course with this young girl. All he
had had 80 do sEas to wait q few
months. He could have married in
safety then. And even now he
didn't know whether or not the.
ceremony performed by Parson
Smawley had been an illegally
legally one: whether il made him a
biEamist for the next three months
or only something worse. What on
earth had possessed him 20 take
such a risk-the terrible hazard OF
discovery, OF losing the only WON
an he had ever really cared for
the only one he probably could ever
had he hADn
free he would have married her.
When he got his freedom he would
insist on another ceremony. He
could persuade her to that on some
excuse or other. But in the mean
while!
He entered The deserted dining
room, came over to where Rue was
waiting, and sat down, heavily,
holding an unlighted cigar between
his stubby fingers.
well, little girl" he said with
forced cheerfulness, was I away
very long?"
ENot very"
You didn't miss me?' he inquir-
ed. ponderously playful
. His heavy pleasanLs@es ESIally
left her just a little doubtful R.ld
confused, for he seldom s-Oned
when he delivered himself Of them.
He leaned across the cloth and
laid q hot, cushiony hand over both
OF hers, where they lay primarily
clasped on the table edge:
Don't you miss me when I'm
away from you, Rue?" he asked.
"I think-it is nice to be with
you," she said, hotly embarrassed
by the publicity Of his caress.
"I don't believe you mean it. But
he smiled this time. At which the
little rigid smile stamped itself
on her lips; but she timidly with
drew her hands from his.
Rue, 1 don't believe you love
me- This time there was no smile.
At Loss Fer Answer.
She found nothing to answer. be-
ing without any experience in give
and-take conversation. which left
her always uncertain and uncom-
Portable.
For the girl was merely a crea-
ture still in the making soft,
pliabIe thing to be shaped to per-
lection only by the light touch OF
some steady. patient hand that un-
derstood-or to be marred and
ruined by heavy hand which
wrought at random or in brutal
haste.
Brandes watched her for a mo-
ment out OF sleepy, greenish eyes.
Then he consulted his watch again,
summoned a waiter, gave him the
parcels-room checks, and bade him
have a boy carry their luggage
into the lobby.
AS they rose from the table, a
man and q woman entering the
lobby caught sight OF them, halt
ed, then turned and walked back
toward the street door which they
had just entered.
Brandes had not noticed them
where he stood by the desk, scratch
ing off a telegram to Stull:
"AU O. X. Just going aboard.
Fix II with stein"
He re!oined Rue as the boy ap-
pearcd with their luggage: an un-
der porter took the bags and pre-
ceded them toward the street.
There's the car" SAID
Brandes, with deep breath