Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-09-07

parlor or the McAlpin, on the mezza.
nine foor-a friend wishes to see you
"But really, l do not recognize your
voice"
(which is not altogether strange. as
am only the clerk on this neor. am
making this request In sehalf Of .
guest"
"A man or a woman, may ask7"
She laughed good-humoredly.
Really, ] am not at liberty TO say.
You viii conner
"Yes. of cOure-"
Before | had really finished my sem
tence the connection had been severed.
However, there was no doubt now In
my mind but that IL was Harris.
took the subway and was at the en-
trance within twenty minutes, eager
10 learn what had actually transplred
during the past twelve hours. With
out using the elevator passed up the
marble stairs 10 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 rallied 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 10
clapping OF hands. The faces I was
] al 80 fuh ali
and ! moved forward in search.
/ had attained the opposite side OF
the room before came 10 a halt, sud
denly arrested by a vision as startling
as unexpected. Leaning over the rail,
gazing intently down on the iOstling
crowd 10 the lobby below. apparently
unconscious OF all else, was Marie
GesSler There could he no doubt; l
stood mOtiOnless, looking at her In
tently, satisfying myself that l could
not be deceived. No. II was certainly
the same girl I had talked with the
evening before, dressed more elaborate
~, changed somewhat in appearance
by q more careful toilet, yet Rssuredly
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 10 her feet. There
was a second OF hesitation, barely per-
cepuble, before she ventured a step
forward. her lips smiling, her gloyed
hand held out.
"You were very nice 10 come" she
exclaimed quietly. Especially in TO
spouse TO so ungraclous a message OF
invitation"
ut was you then who sent for meT
"Of course. Did you Imagine some
ont elseT'
81 came rather blindly," / admitted,
unwilling TO mention Harris. your
messenger refused 20 satisfy my Gu
rioslty 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. / confess
I feared YOU might hesitate 70 respond
n you once knew what awaited you"
"No fear OF that"
"But didn't know" her voice more
earnest. her eyes on my face cues
tIoningly. "You have not thought very
we'll OF me. have your Let us 20 over
there I'm the corner. where we can talk
without being overheard-there are
two vacant chairs"
We reached there and seated our
selves in silence. I felt the necessity
Of restraint. the desire TO permit her
10 lead the conversation In whatever
direction she thought best. She ap
neared younger In the bright light,
her face even more attractive than In
my memory.
"You are thoroughly puzzled, are
YOU notf" she asked gayly. well,
so was /, last night. Ii Is only right
should pay you back In your own
coin; that is perfectly fair, | am sure.
Now | know who you are, but | am
sim an enigma. You accepted me on
Hind faith before: l wonder y you
are willing to do Il again7'
"I can hardly refuse"
answered like gentleman. But
suppose / tell you nothing and yet
ask OF you a dangerous servleel
Would you risk your life for me. not
even asking who am or why make
the requestT
There was a grave earnesness 10
the voice. an entreaty in the eyes not
70 be ignored. This was no idle ques-
ton 70 be thrust aside with a smile.
81 believe can make the pledge
70 you." / replied soberly. 1T is very
unusual. but"
~But you are Philip Severn" she
interrupted. with an expressive ges-
ture. bad you not been l woao
have never asked"
ut is very nice OF you TO put IL In
that way, | am sure. but how do you
chance TO know that / am Philip
SevernT"
"Suppose I insist that also Is my
secret? Yet surely you could not be-
lieye would be here with you unless