The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1921-07-21
By Randall
Parrish
Author Of
"The Strange Case
of Cavendish"
~
Copyright. BY Randall Parrish

|
"But really, 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 a
| guest"
"a man or q woman, may I ask p
She laughed goOd-humoredly.
Really, I am not at liberty to say.
You will come?'
"YeS, of course"
Before 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. I
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 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 to a
clapping Of hands. The faces l was
able to distinguish were all strange
and I moved forward in search.
I had attained the opposite side of
the room before came to halt, sud-
denly arrested by vision as startling
as unexpected. Leaning over the rail,
gazing intently down on the jostling
crowd to the lobby below, apparently
unconscious of all else, was Marie
GeSSler There could he no doubt; I
stood motionless, looking at her In
tently, satisfying myself that I could
not be deceived. No. 1t was certainly
the same girl l 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 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-
Spouse to so ungraciOuS a message OF
invitation"
ut was you then who sent for .meT
''Of course. Did you imagine some
one else?"
81 came rather blindly," I admitted,
unwilling to mention Harris. "Your
messenger refused to satisfy my Gu
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
l feared you might hesitate to respond
IL you once knew what awaited you"
mo fear of that"
"But I 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"
selves in silence. I 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,
her face even more attractive than in
my memory.
"You are thoroughly puzzled, are
you notY' she asked gayly. swell.
SO was I, last night. It is only right
should pay you back in your own
coin; that is perfectly fair, am sure.
Now 1 know who you are, but I am
still an enigma. You accepted me Cd
blind faith before; I wonder If you
are willing to do it again?"
II can hardly refuse"
answered like a gentleman. But
suppose I tell you nothing and yet
ask of you a dangerous SERVICE
Would you risk your life for me, not
even asking who 1 am or why I make
the request?'.
There was a grave earnestness t.
the voice. an entreaty in the eyes not
to be ignored. This was no idle ques"
ton to be thrust aside with smile.
81 believe I can make the pledge
to you," I replied sober1y. "It is very
unusual, but
but you are Philip Severn" she
interrupted, with an expressive ges-
ture. Had you not been I would
have never asked"
cit is very nice Of you to put 1t In
| that way, / am sure, but how do you
chance to know that am Philip
SevernT' II
Suppose insist that also Is my
secretf Yet surely you could not be.
lieve would be here with you, unless
| / knew? You must have faith in me
| in spite Of ALL"
Undoubtedly I do. I hardly hole
it a reasonable faith, however. More.
oR nnio oh