Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-02-25

- NAAN ~ ~ ~
Russian Jew. Let's have a drink an
Well call it off for tonight. You leave
me your telephone number an il any
thing happens I'll let you know"
took a. taxi back to the hotel, feel
ing restless and dissatisfied. yet I'M
able to decide on any definite action.
AS ! asked for my key, the clerk
handed it over, together with a card
in the box, which l read in bewilder-
ment. Mr.. Philip Severn, C-r45< Call
Hotel McAlpin." Could this be Har-
ris, endeavoring to reach me privately
with some message? Or was it mere
ly an acquaintance who had learned
of my presence in the city? 1 found
the McAlpin exchange number in the
telephone book and gained connection,
my pulses throbbing with excitement.
A woman's voice answered.
The McAlpin." F.
This is Philip Severn. You loft a
call here at the hotel for mo"
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Severn. I'm requested
to ask you to come at once to the
nine floor-a friend wishes to see
YOU"
But really, l do not recognize your
voice"
: Which is not altogether strange, as
l am only the clerk on this floor. l am
making this request in behalf of q
guest"
"A man or a woman, may4I ask?"
: She laughed sood-humoredly. m
Really, I am not at liberty to say.
You will Gomez"
Yes, of COURSE
Before l 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 TRANSFERRED
during the past twelve hours. With
out using the elevator I passed up the
marble stairs to the mezzaninc floor,
'pausins in uncertainty at the top to
look about in search of ON familiar
face. A number Of people were con-
gregated about the rallied opening
looking down into the lobby, while
others were scattered around ,on con-
Venlent divans. or at small writing
desks. From the ~recesses Of the la
dies room at the left came the strains
OF piano music. and the sound of a
soprano voice singing. The song ceas-
ed to a clapping of hands. The faces
| was able to distinguish were all
strange and l moved forward in
search.
had attained the opposite side Of
the room before I came to q halt, sud
denly arrested by q. 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 be no doubt;
stood motionlese, looking at her in
tently. satisfying myself that 1 could
not be deceived. No. 1t was certainly
thna ga mo oir1 T ho1 <oJlroa z.i4L 49,
evening before, dressed more elabor-
ately, changed somewhat in appear
-ance by a more careful toilet. yet as
suredly 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 instantly and arose to her feet.
There was a second Of hesitation,
barely p~erceptible, before she ventur-
ed a step forward, her lips smiling,
her gloved hand held out. e
You were very nice to come" she
exclaimed quietly. Especially in re-
Spouse to SO ungracious' a message OF
invitation"
1T was you then who sent for me? ~
"of course. Did you imagine some
one else?"
Il came rather bNndly," I admitted,
unwilling to mention Harris. Your
messenger refused to satisfy my Gu
riosity even to the extent OF telling
the sex of the n calling
She laughed, quite at her case now,
and seemingly amused.
"She was duly warned. 1 confess
l feared you might hesitate to respond
II you 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
well Of me, have you? Let US go over
there in the corner, where we can talk
without being overheard-thGre are
two vacant chairs"
We reached there and seated our
selves In silence. l felt the necessity
of restraint. the desire to permit 'her
to lead the conversation in whatever
direction she thought best. She APP
pearcd younger in the bright light,
her face even o attractive than In
my memory.
You are thoroughly puzzled, are
you net?' she asked gayly. We'll
50 was I, last night. 1t is only. right
I should pay you back In your own
coin; that ie perfectly fair, am sure.
Now L know who you are, but I am
still an enigma. You accepted me OF
blind faith before; wonder il you
are willing to do 1t again n
Il can hardly refuse.
Answered like q 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 I am or why / make
the request.
There was q grave earnestnees to
the voice. an entreaty In the eyes not
to be Ignored. This was no idle sques-
ton to be thrust a4idc with smile.
II believe Ican make the pledge
to you,s,I replied sobetly. aIt ts very