A Daughter of Delilah — page 191: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

182 NO. 33 HAWTHORNE AVENUE, RIDGEWAY, N. J. financier’s coupe was being slowly driven in the direction of Central Park. Jabez Alston strode firmly up the broad steps, and for one moment stood irresolute in the portico. Why was this sudden fear? How many times had he faced the fiercest crisis, without a tremor, when millions were at stake, and now his heart failed him on the threshold of a siren’s bower! ‘Who are you looking for, sir?’’ the voice of the janitor broke in. He had observed the arrival of the carriage, and _ followed the financier into the portico. ‘‘Ah!’’ replied Jabez Alston, flushing. ‘Does a person— a lady reside here named Russell?’’ ‘Third floor, sir,’’ the man said. ‘Thank you!”’ He fancied that there was a faint smile of amusement on the janitor’s face, and turned abruptly toward the stairs. He strode up ina dignified manner, muttering be- tween his teeth: “TT will crush this den of infamy !”’ He ascended to the third floor, then tapped smartly on one of the doors in the richly carpeted hallway. He was not kept waiting one needless moment, for the janitor had taken the precaution to ring the electric bell, and almost before he was aware of it, Jabez Alston found himself be- ing ushered into a splendidly appointed parlor by a ser- vant-maid. | ‘“T would like to see your mistress for a short time, alone,’’ he said, tendering his card. The girl withdrew, and he looked about him with keen interest. The costly furniture, the velvet carpets, the Eomichbooks co =)