Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-11
he MILLION DOLLAR SUITCASE

By II

The row of elevators, which occu-
pied the space to his left facing the
office desk with its half-score of busy
clerks. were constantly ascending and
descending, each with It's compile
ment of passengers: Through the
high glass partitions at his back he
could see, by simply turning his
head, a palm room brilliant with men
and women in evening dress still ling
ering over their dining. In a balcony
above him an orchestra was making
melody.
A sense Of loneliness : n the midst
of this gayety, added to his accep-
lance of the probable futility of his
expedition, weighed upon and de-
had bad his dinner IN the train, and
now, fully conscious that if my
chance remained to him he should
seize upon it without delay. he lever
theless still fingered, giving way to
the sullen scolor of his mood.
The panorama of life about him
he saw but dimly, absorbed as he vas
in his wi problem. The figures of
men and women moved ghostlike and
emily, staring, as was so frequently
his wont, with dreamy, Unlicensed
eyes. at what appeared to him merely
a blur Of light blue, the blur gradu-
ally took shape, assumed the outline
and proportions of a woman's gown,
which. in turn, encompassed a living
entity, leaning across the office desk,
in earnest conversation with q clerk.
The figure thus revealed all at once
impressed him as familiar, and he
sprang up and moved forward, Keen
ly alive again to all his surroundings,
n overjoyed at thus unexpectedly
finding in the midst of his lonely de-
lection the one whom he most desir-
ed.
Miss COLBY"
! She turned as he spoke, and her
countenance lighted With a pleased
smile of recognition. ,
"Mr. Rrooke!" ."r
She gave him both her hands in
token OF her gladness.
ooh. how fortunate!" she went on,
and her smile succun:bed to an ex-
preston of anxiety. Il am SO dis
tressed. 1 want you to advise me.
Then, turning to the clerk with whom
she had been speaking, she said!
quite relieved. Mr.. Brooke will assist
me, I know"
The confidence that breathed in hel
words was a tonic to the young mar
who stood beside her.
What is it?" he asked. impatient
to do her bidding.
II am anxious about papa" she
told hinA He; was to havesbeen here
at seven for dinner. anG it is now
half-past eight. He never does thi,
sort of thing. He is punctuality it.
self"
"Oh, he's been delayed by bust.
ness" Brooke suggested.
But she would not be connforted.
You do no know him." she re
turned uneasily. IF he were ever
likely to be detained fifteen minute.
! ty with him is a sort Of religion"
Really" Brooke said, soothingly
II think you're unnecessarily alarm
ed. A thousand harmless things maj
have happened. Possibly he is where
there is no telephone" He had ii
mind Kennedy and the room ovel
H%aggerty's saloon. Hell be- her,
presently, RI guarantee: In tn
flee and you shall come In and dine
You must be famished."-
He had never seen her so beautiful
as tonight. Her eyes, clear as flaw
less sapphires. had in them a Patio,
born of her anxiety, and her sefsi
lively sympathetic mouth was all q
tremble with emotion. She was pal
as milk, too. save for tiny blush rose
ALI AASI CAACChds <AnO uSk "AA0Al uAAuC
the brilliant electrics OF the hote
corridor, was as of spung gold.
mo, no., mol" she protested, he
alarm, more apparent. ct couldn'
think Of eating; really, I couldn't.
y haven't any appetite. Do tell me whA
is best to do! / have q p~resentir1en
that something has happened"
Brooke exefted all his effortA Il
calm her, telling her:
} You are overwrought, Miss Colby
~ It's the result OF all the exciting ad
ventures you have been through ii
less than a week. It is the reaction
siNo woman could command sucl
nerve as you commanded on two oc
!, caslons that I know OF ana not SUITE
a reaction. But Ill sdo evetythinI
: possible, Just the same. Suppose
now. we Sit down for a moment, an,
you shall tell me all you knoW o
.Iyour fathers plans
! He led her to A sofa Z little ava
from the eddying currents or the no
I tells main channel.
NOW" he said. when they wer
seated, you arrived in fshffhdslphi
: this morning. didn't you? What di
Jyou do frs?