The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-01-01

the portal. "Or a carnation Tor
your lapel?"
lie shook his head and passed
out. That bit of foppery would
have seemed to him, in this mood,
as absurdly placed on his muscular
chest as a tassel on an army rifle.
Moreover, the girls wistful eyes
were present in his memory. Why
should he flaunt his excess Of lux
ury before her neediness?
Even at night the streets were
poisonously fetid and hot; the air
was like the breath of some
monstrons beast crouchca over the
city. A round moon looked down
through the heat haze like a sullen
eye.
Noel thought of the engagement
he had broken Of a house on Long
island, opposite the moon silvered
waters Of the sound, where he
might have been at this hour. A
girl would be there, too, lounging
in a deep chair on a rug covered
veranda, with a scarf drawn across
the cool whiteness of her bare
shoulders and bosom. But he did
not wish himself beside her, even
though he had almost decided that
she should be the substitute prin-
cess whom he would take home. He
was too curious about his nights
adventure to wish himself else
where.
The streets were full of people
people walking, sitting on steps
and stoops, and ever perched upon
fire escapes and curb stones. They
were literally forced into the outer
air by the intolcrable smother of
heat, yet even in the open they
dropped, languid, almost silent, ex-
hausted.
From all this swarming life,
Noel way led him into a sudden
lifelessness--sudden because the
distance between was SO short.
The street where Miss Arloff's
direction took him was a street Of
business houses, comparatively de-
serted at this hour of rest from
buying and selling.
The business was conducted in
rows Of dull brick or stone fronted
residences of a past decade. Shop
windows were improvised in sean
dalized old drawing rooms or
areas; gilt lettering displayed
alien names across upper rooms
that had been scented boudoirs or
bedchambers of solid dignity.
Here and there a dim light burned
to illuminate an Opportunity in
hats, or furs suffocatingly out Of
season, or garish chinaware.
Noel's footsteps rand loud in the
empty gloom to which the dead,
hot atmosphere added it's depres-
sion. Could the dancing girl come
from here? Or had she given an
address at random to rid herself of
the man VINO followedi Or did she
plan to meet him on the threshold
of one Of these dingy establish
ments, with a ~pretense Of living
there to mask her real dwelling
placef
Noel wondered; but presently
he was ashamed Of the vague dis
trust. The house numbered as
he sought was not closed. A light
showed on the second floor
through a panel of the front door.
He mounted the high, narrow
steps slowly, a trifle uncertain as
to his course. Perceiving an old
fashioned bell, he pulled the
handle.
He heard no tread; the door was
too massive. The hinges turned
without warning. Noel found him
self facing an old man who stood
in the opening like the reality Of
some powerful, dark shaded, SOM
Der painting by Rembrandt or a
Frans Hals-a Jew, high Of brow,
thin nostriled, narrow eyed, large
and gaunt of frame.
Astounded, Noel mechanically
lifted his hat in acknowledge
ment Of the others personality,
and the two men scrutinized one
another. Each was worthy Of
study in his own way, nor had
either cause to fear it. The fine
attire ofsthe mar who had succeed
ed was not more fastidiously worn
or cleaner than he threadbare
garments of the other; his poise
was not better assured. But the
stern, ascetic face Of the elder was
not steadier or cleaner in purport
than the younger mans.
asps they pleased each
other. Noel smiled q tender of
friendliness as he spoke.
Miss Arlofff think-"
Before the old man could reply,
i Light foot sounded-on the stairs,
and the dancing girl appeared. She
bowed to Noel with q blush that