The Mission of Poubalov — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

STRANGE EXIT OF POUBALOVD. f' a . - ‘ J ; * she said: 93 Clara was deeply touched, and her voice trembled as _ “Thank you, Mr. Litizki. I hope to be worthy of your kind thoughts. I may learn something to-night that will put another light on thecase. Is it too much to ask you to call at my uncle’s house some time during the even- ing?”’ **Not if you lived in Siberia, Miss Hilman. Where is it, and when shall I come?’’ _ Clara gave him the address and left him, begging him to come early. When they were on the way home, Louise said: ‘‘l[am more and more amazed at your method every day, dear. HavelInot been good to listen, and ask no — questions and volunteer no advice?”’ ‘*Too good, dear. I should often want advice, and ask it, but that I fear hurting you by not following it. I must go “my own way.”’ _ “Of course you must, but I was just leading up to this question: What in the world do you want of Mr. Litizki this evening?’’ ‘‘T hardly know myself, dear; but if that, ‘second driver’ calls, I hope to make Mr. Litizki useful. Will that do?”’ | It had to, for Clara fell to thinking, and her cousin saw that questions would beirritating. _ Mr. Pembroke sent word from his office that he should not come to dinner, and. he had not arrived when the ser- vant announced a caller, and handed a card to Clara. It was Poubalov. ‘*T suppose,’’ said Clara, showing not the least surprise, “that I’d better see him alone. Will you wait here’’ (they were in the dining-room), ‘‘in case I should want you?”’ Poubalov smiled and his face looked almost attractive as he rose and bowed when Clara entered the drawing- room. At that instant Clara felt that but.for his self-con- (C(O) im _fessed methods of deceit, she could have trusted iim, and