Part 33 (1/2)
”You may go in, James.”
They entered together; and he was startled to see how young she seemed there on the pillows--how pitifully immature the childish throat, the tear-flushed face lying in its ma.s.s of chestnut hair.
”Good-bye, Rue,” he said, still awkward, offering his hand.
Slowly she held out one slim hand from the covers.
”Good voyage, good luck,” he said. ”I wish you would write a line to me.”
”I will.”
”Then----” He smiled; released her hand.
”Thank you for--for all you have done,” she said. ”I shall not forget.”
Something choked him slightly; he forced a laugh:
”Come back a famous painter, Rue. Keep your head clear and your heart full of courage. And let me know how you're getting on, won't you?”
”Yes.... Good-bye.”
So he went out, and at the door exchanged adieux with the smiling Princess.
”Do you--like her a little?” he whispered.
”I do, my friend. Also--I like you. I am old enough to say it safely, am I not?”
”If you think so,” he said, a funny little laugh in his eyes, ”you are old enough to let me kiss you good-bye.”
But she backed away, still smiling:
”On the brow--the hair--yes; if you promise discretion, James.”
”What has tottering age like yours to do with discretion, Princess Naa?” he retorted impudently. ”A kiss on the mouth must of itself be discreet when bestowed on youth by such venerable years as are yours.”
But the Princess, the singularly provocative smile still edging her lips, merely looked at him out of dark and slightly humorous eyes, gave him her hand, withdrew it with decision, and entered her stateroom, closing the door rather sharply behind her.
When Neeland got back to the studio he took a couple of hours' sleep, and, being young, perfectly healthy, and perhaps not unaccustomed to the habits of the owl family, felt pretty well when he went out to breakfast.
Over his coffee cup he propped up his newspaper against a carafe; and the heading on one of the columns immediately attracted his attention.
ROW BETWEEN SPORTING MEN
EDDIE BRANDES, FIGHT PROMOTER AND THEATRICAL MAN, MIXES IT WITH MAXY VENEM
A WOMAN SAID TO BE THE CAUSE: AFFRAY DRAWS A BIG CROWD IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL KNICKERBOCKER