The St. Johns herald., 1921-11-10

AL A COAu0 JUL dAA AAShly O0Ayp AO volunteered. "I know George, an he ain't the kind to be outwitted by no Russian Jew. Let's have a drink an we'll call 1t of for tonight. You leave me your telephone number an if any thing happens I'll let you know"
 I took a taxi back to the hotel, feel ing restless and dissatisfied, yet un- able to decide on any definite action.
 AS I asked for my key. the clerk handed 1t over, together with a card in the box, which read fin bewilder- ment. "Mr. Philip Severn, C-145. Call Hotel McAlpin." Could this be Har- ris, endeavOring to reach me privately with some message? Or was 1t mere ly an acquaintance who had learned of my presence in the city? I found the McAlpin exchange number in the telephone book and gained connection, my pulses throbbing with excitement. A woman's voice answered..
 "The McAlpin."
 "This is Philip Severn. You left a call here at the hotel for me-"
 "Oh, yes, Mir. Severn. I'm requested to ask you to come at once to the parlOr of the McAlpin, on the mega nine f1oor-a friend wishes to see you"
 "But really, I do not recognize your voice"
 (Which is not altogether strange, as am only the clerk on this floor. am making this request in behalf of guest"
 "A man or a woman, may RskT"
 She laughed gOod-humOredly.
 Really, I am not at liberty to say. You will cOme?"
 "Yes. of cOurse-"
 Before I had really finished my sen- tence the connection had been severed. However, there was no doubt now in my mind but that it was Harris. took the subway and was at the en- trance within twenty minutes, eager to learn what had actually transpired during the past twelve hours. With out using the elevator passed up the marble stairs to the meZZanine floor, pausing in uncertainty at the top to look about in search of some familiar face. A number of people were con- gregated about the railed opening look ing down into the lobby, while others were scattered around on convenient divans, or at small writing desks. From the recesses of the ladies' room at the left came the strains of piano music, and the sound of a soprano voice singing. The song ceased to a clapping of hands. The faces l was able to distinguish were all strange and I moved forward in search.
 had attained the opposite side of the room before came to a halt, sud- denly arrested by a vision as startling as unexpected. Leaning over the rail, gazing intently down on the jostling crowd to the lobby below, apparently unconscious of all celse, was Marie Gessler There conld be no doubt; stood motionless, looking at her in- tently, satisfying myself that 1 could not be deceived No. It was certainly the same girl I had talked with the evening before, dressed more elaborate ly, changed somewhat in appearance by a more careful toilet, yet assuredly the same. She must have felt the intensity of my stare and thus sensed my presence, for she suddenly looked about with a little start. saw me in- stantly and arose to her feet. There was a second of hesitation, barely per ceptible, before she ventured a step forward, her lips smiling, her glOved hand held out.
 You were very nice to come" she exclaimed quietly. Especially in re- spOnse to so ungraciOus a message of invitation"
 "It was you then who sent for meP'
 "Of course. Did you imagine some one else2"
 'Ie came rather blindly," I admitted, unwilling to mention Harris. "YOur messenger refused to satisfy my cu- riOsity even to the extent of telling the sex of the one calling"
 She laughed, quite at her ease now, and seemingly amused.
 "She was duly warned. l confess feared you might hesitate to respond if you once knew what awaited you"
 ''NO fear of that"
 'But didn't know" her voice more earnest, her eyes on my face ques- tioningly. "You have not thought very we'll of me, have you? Let us go over there in the corner, where we can talk without being overheard-there are two vacant chairs"
 We reached there and seated our selves in silence. felt the necessity of restraint, the desire to permit her to lead the conversation in whatever direction she thought best. She ap- peared younger in the bright light, l. e..o o..nr, rrnnra aAfra ntiuo Ahan in