The Mission of Poubalov — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

AN EXPLANATION SUGGESTED. 15 CHAPTER II. AN EXPLANATION SUGGESTED, ‘‘Wait for me a moment, Paul,’’ said Ralph Harmon as the people began to pour out of the church. He went to the room in the vestry where Clara Hilman sat pale and tearless. With her were Mr. Pembroke, his daughter Louise, and two or three other young ladies who were intimate friends of the unfortunate bride. Ralph did not approach the group, -but paused at the door and looked significantly at Miss Pembroke. She went to him at once, and, unseen by the others, he took both her hands in his and said: “Tam going to Strobel’s room and shall take Palowna with me. If I find any trace or news, as I undoubtedly shall, I will go directly to your house and report. You may tell Miss Hilman so if you think it will relieve her.’’ “‘Clara. dear!’’ exclaimed Miss Pembroke, impulsively, “Ralph is going to find Ivan, and will come back as quickly as he can to tell you.’’ For several minutes the bride had been sitting as if ret- rified, making no answer to the well-meant questions of her friends, unconscious apparently of their tearful sym- pathy, but at this announcement her eyes were lit by just a gleam of gratitude and she tried to speak to Ralph. Her lips quivered with unformed words, and she turned ap- pealingly to her uncle. ‘*Come,’’ she faltered, ‘‘let us go home.’’ Ralph bowed and returned immediately to the vesti- bule, where Paul Palovna waited for him. Both were ac- costed by many of the outgoing audience, but they shook their heads and hurried down the steps and up the street to the nearest line of cars. They said little to each other (C(O) nf) Ghoo KS