Part 28 (1/2)

The east dining-room was almost empty now, though the lobby and the cafe beyond still swarmed with people arriving and departing. Brandes, chafing at the telephone, had finally succeeded in getting Stull on the wire, only to learn that the news from Saratoga was not agreeable; that they had lost on every horse. Also, Stull had another disquieting item to detail; it seemed that Maxy Venem had been seen that morning in the act of departing for New York on the fast express; and with him was a woman resembling Brandes' wife.

”Who saw her?” demanded Brandes.

”Doc. He didn't get a good square look at her. You know the hats women wear.”

”All right. I'm off, Ben. Good-bye.”

The haunting uneasiness which had driven him to the telephone persisted when he came out of the booth. He cast a slow, almost sleepy glance around him, saw no familiar face in the thronged lobby, then he looked at his watch.

The car had been ordered for ten; it lacked half an hour of the time; he wished he had ordered the car earlier.

For now his uneasiness was verging on that species of superst.i.tious inquietude which at times obsesses all gamblers, and which is known as a ”hunch.” He had a hunch that he was ”in wrong” somehow or other; an overpowering longing to get on board the steamer a.s.sailed him--a desire to get out of the city, get away quick.

The risk he had taken was beginning to appear to him as an unwarranted piece of recklessness; he was amazed with himself for taking such a chance--disgusted at his foolish and totally unnecessary course with this young girl. All he had had to do was to wait a few months. He could have married in safety then. And even now he didn't know whether or not the ceremony performed by Parson Smawley had been an illegally legal one; whether it made him a bigamist for the next three months or only something worse. What on earth had possessed him to take such a risk--the terrible hazard of discovery, of losing the only woman he had ever really cared for--the only one he probably could ever care for? Of course, had he been free he would have married her. When he got his freedom he would insist on another ceremony. He could persuade her to that on some excuse or other. But in the meanwhile!

He entered the deserted dining-room, came over to where Rue was waiting, and sat down, heavily, holding an unlighted cigar between his stubby fingers.

”Well, little girl,” he said with forced cheerfulness, ”was I away very long?”

”Not very.”

”You didn't miss me?” he inquired, ponderously playful.

His heavy pleasantries usually left her just a little doubtful and confused, for he seldom smiled when he delivered himself of them.

He leaned across the cloth and laid a hot, cus.h.i.+ony hand over both of hers, where they lay primly clasped on the table edge:

”Don't you ever miss me when I'm away from you, Rue?” he asked.

”I think--it is nice to be with you,” she said, hotly embarra.s.sed by the publicity of his caress.

”I don't believe you mean it.” But he smiled this time. At which the little rigid smile stamped itself on her lips; but she timidly withdrew her hands from his.

”Rue, I don't believe you love me.” This time there was no smile.

She found nothing to answer, being without any experience in give-and-take conversation, which left her always uncertain and uncomfortable.

For the girl was merely a creature still in the making--a soft, pliable thing to be shaped to perfection only by the light touch of some steady, patient hand that understood--or to be marred and ruined by a heavy hand which wrought at random or in brutal haste.

Brandes watched her for a moment out of sleepy, greenish eyes. Then he consulted his watch again, summoned a waiter, gave him the parcels-room checks, and bade him have a boy carry their luggage into the lobby.

As they rose from the table, a man and a woman entering the lobby caught sight of them, halted, then turned and walked back toward the street door which they had just entered.

Brandes had not noticed them where he stood by the desk, scratching off a telegram to Stull:

”All O. K. Just going aboard. Fix it with Stein.”

He rejoined Rue as the boy appeared with their luggage; an under porter took the bags and preceded them toward the street.

”There's the car!” said Brandes, with a deep breath of relief. ”He knows his business, that chauffeur of mine.”