Phoenix tribune., 1920-04-10

:
clenched fist struck the table a ring
ing blow. His quiet demeanor had
radically changed. "Tve something
want to tell you. Henceforth my
brain, my energy, every particle of me,
will work toward but one end-Ma-
terial Success. Money means Power,
and Power is my goal. I've known all
along 1 could reach it. shall have to
be cold, heartless, selfish. There's no
other way. The oor!-poohl What
are the poor but beasts of burden to
pack and carry for their masters, who
are the rich and intelligent"
AS he talked Esther crouched back
in her chair, cringing from him as
though each word he spoke was a
whip-lash across her face.
Naturally, you hadn't thought of
me-" she murmured, when he paused.
"on the contrary" he said, and there
was hidden meaning in his words,
which, keen as she was, escaped her,
you are the person Of whom I'm
thinking most just now"
A glad light sprang into her eyes.
"Then you are going to take me up
with you! With your money-you see,
| take it for granted you will become
wealthy-how much we could do for
the underclasses !"
He tossed away his cigarette, took
swallow of coffee, put down his cup
abruptly. 'T'll do the square thing by
you-remember that Perhaps money
cannot compensate you for all you
have done for mel doubt very much
if it can-but if it can, Esther, l shall
repay you a hundredfold."
She sprang up. Her brief gladness
had fled, Her face was very white.
"Then you are going to throw me
overl' she blazed at him. 81 thought
sol"
"Have I ever shown any wild desire
for your company?" he asked icily. He
also was standing. His face was
white, too. '1n our short friendship
has it not always been you who took
the initiative?"
"But the first time we met you had
no money, no place TO sleep"
His brow darkened. 81 thought l
was going to have trouble with you.
But never mind. I'll settle in full my
account with you, and Wen quit even."
A furious torrent of words rushed to
her tongue, but before she could loose
it something occurred which, even in
that tempestuous moment, damned its
flow. A shadow obliterated the sun
light, and she turned in time to see
what cast it. A second later a per-
emptory knocking ratified the street
door.
go to your room and lock yourself
inl" she ordered, and pushed him be-
fore her toward the.hall door. "Its
Nikolay-the big Russian you met at
Smulski's. He mustn't find you here.
He's ready to kill you, almost. Do
hurryI Run all the way to your room
and lock the door,"
He tarried no longer. Yet the ex-
element of the moment did not ban
ish his diplomacy, for he pressed her
hand and kissed her before going.
After his departure she composed her
self at the breakfast tableHThe bat
tering at the door swelIed louder with
every second.
Fitzhugh gone, Esther unharred the
door and admitted her visitor.
"Come in Nikolay," she invited.
He entered, glowering, and sat in
the chair Fitzhugh had vacated.
"Why did you keep me waitingY' he
asked sullenly.
Because" she replied evenly, 81
was trying to decide whether or not ]
wanted TO see you"
"And did you decide?"
She lifted one shoulder, with elo-
quent indifference, and stirred her ,cof-
fee. 81 had to let you in. Another
minute, and you would have torn the
house down."
He turned his massive head this
way and that, shifting the air very
audibly. 81 take it you care more for
your friend who rolls his own ciga-
rettes." He opened a box of Russians
and lighted one.
She did not speak, and he went on !:
"You've taken quite a fancy to this
young spellbinder, haven't you?"
"If you mean the boy who left just
as you came-hes my brother"
Nikolay threw back his head, and
gave a loud, mirthless laugh. Brother
What liar!"
She caught her breath sharply and
sat very erect, a crimson spot burn
ing vividly in either dark cheek. Her
bosom rose and fell stormily.
"Be careful what you say to me-"
she warned him; but the anger in her
low voice seemed only TO fan his
jealousy to fiercer flame.
He ground his teeth as he frowned
at her, and the great hairy hand lying
on his knee opened and closed. you
will equivocate, won't you? AS if you
could hoodwink me for one instant
Don't try it, you Esther. You know
well enough why I loath this-this-"
"Rando1nh Fitz " she s1Innlied swift