The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-08-05
BY Randall
Parrish
Author Of
"The Strange Case
of CavendiSh"

nine fioor-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 floor. | am
making this request In behalf Of a
guest"
~ man or a woman, may l ask?"
She laughed good-humoredly.
REALLY. ! am not ut liberty to say.
You will Gomez"
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. l
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 tie
marble stairs to the mezzanine floor,
pausing in uncertainty at the top 70
look about in search of some familiar
face. A number of people were on
Sregated 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
ut the left ain the strains of piano
music. and the sound of a soprano
voice singing. The song ceased to a
clapping of hanES. The faces | was
able to distinguish were all strange
and l moved forward in search.
l had attained the opposite side of
the room before l CO me 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 be. ow, apparently
unconscious of all else, was Marie
Gassler Theirs could ~ no doubt; l
stood %motionless, looking at her in
tently, satisfying myself that l 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 careful toilet, yet ~assuredly
the same. She must have felt the
intensity Of my stare and thus sensed
HI PASSCHSC, - III SAuuCllS IOOhcN
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 veEtured q step
forward. her lips smiling, her gloved
hand held out.
You were very nice to come" she
exclaimed quietly. Especially in re-
c,r.r -, a, o;n,. ,,-r,r ~
invitation"
ut was you her who sen: for me?"
"Of course. Did you Imagine some
one else"
II came rather blindly," l admitted.
unwilling to mention Harris. "Your
messenger refused to satisfy ny Gu
riosity even to the extent of telling the
e Of the one calling"
She laughed, quite at her ease now.
and seemingly amused.
"She was duly warned. / confess
l feared you might hesitate to respond
If you once knew what awaited YOU"
mo fear Of that"
But l 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 observation-disclosures are
two vacant chairs"
We reached there and seated our
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 APP
peared younger In the bright light.
her face even more attractive than in
my memory.
You are thoroughly puzzled, are
you not?' she asked gayly. We'll,
SO was I, last night. 1t is only right
I should pay you back in your own
coin that is perfectly fair. I am sure.
Now l know who you are, nut | am
still an enigma. You accepted me or
blind faith before; | wonder If you
are willing to do 1t againY"
Il can hardly refuse"
Answered like a gentleman. But
suppose l tell you nothing and yet
ask of you a dangerous service?
Would you risk your life for me. not
even asking who | am or why l make
the reqlest?"
There a q grave earnestness 70
the voice. an entreaty in the eyes not
to be ignored. This was no idle ques-
ton to be thrust aside with a smile.
II believe | can make the pledge
to YOU" l replied soberly. 1T is very
unusual. but"
But you are Philip Severn" sire
interrupted. with an expressive ges-
ture. Had you not been | would
have never asked"
1T is very nice OF you to put 1t In
that way. l am sure, but how do you
chance to know that l am Philip
S~nvern?"
Suppose l insist that also Is my
secret? Yet surely you could not be-
lieve l would be here With you, unless
knew? You must have faith In me.
ii spite Of all"