The Fortune Hunter

S OUTSH

E FAVORS T

DASH AND

IVE SOUL S

Y IN TOMK

IN SEVERA

EP WIELDS

YL OF PL

RSTEIN IS

EURSTEIN

T MR. F

RTUNE

MR. FE

se in East Sixteenth Street, in the block just beyond the east

nes of strength and grace. He wore a pearl-gray soft hat with rakish brim, and it was set with suspicious carelessness upon bright blue, and seemed to blazon a fiery, sentimental nature. He strode along, i

day. Had he not youth? Had he not health? Had he not looks to bewitch the women, brains to outwit the men? Feuerstein sniffed the delightful air and gazed round, like a

tful admiration and with the anxiety of one who fears a distinguished acquaintance has forgotten him.

ith pleasure and stammer

ng away from my lodgings with empty pockets-I am so absent-minded. Could you convenience me for a few hours with fi

ored with em

ly, "I've got only a two-

can make that do. Thank you-sorry to

one ten yards he had forgotten Hartmann and had dismissed all financial care-had he not enough to carry him through the day,

ed coldly to him. He waited until they were seated, then joined them and proceeded to make himself agreeable to the one who had just been introduced to him-young Horwitz, an assistant bookkeeper at a department store in Twenty-third Street. But Horwitz had a "soul," and the yearning of that secret soul was for the stage. Feuerstein did Horwitz the

ork and play hard and live plainly and without pretense, whose ideals center about the hearth, and whose aspirations are to retire with a competence ear

some, strong-looking daughter of the people. She had coal-black hair that curled about a low forehead.

ry rich-owns three flat-houses. They must bring him in at least ten thousand net, not to spe

ke a prince who, for reasons of sordid necessity, had conde

d Horwitz. "I'll in

his strong arm upon the rhythmic billows of the waltz. At the end he led her to a seat and fell to complimenting her-his eyes eloquent, his voice, it seemed to her, as entrancing as the waltz music. When he spoke in German it was without the harsh sputtering and growling, the slovenly slurring and clipping to which she had been accustomed. She could answer only with monosyllables or appreciative

elled her to look far up to him, a man who seemed to her to embody those vague dreams of a life grand and beautiful, away off somewhere, which are dreamed by all young people, and by not a few older ones, who have less excuse for not kno

" he murmured in a tone which said, "Mine is a sorr

s feeling in her eyes and managed t

down to see you

the Square. If you're

e her feel that the three intervening

e customers, she looked often at the door, and, with the childhood-surviving faith of youth in the improbable and impossible, hoped that he would appear. For the first time she was definitely di

the "delicatessen" in Avenue A, near Second Street. They lived in two back rooms; they toiled early and late for twenty-three contented, cheerful years-she in the shop when she was not doing the housework or caring for the babies, he in the great clean cellar, where the cooking and cabbage-cutting and pickling and spicing were done. And now, owners of three houses that brought in eleven thousand a year clear, they were about to retire. They had fixed on a place in the Bronx, in the East Side, of course, with a big garden, where every

quare. They stopped before a five-story tenement, evidently the dwelling-place of substantial, intelligent, self-respecting artisans and their families, leading the natural

an-they and almost all their friends spoke Low-German

h, the jelly-inclosed paste of chicken livers, the bottles and jars of pickled or spiced meats and vegetables and fruits. The spectacle was adroitly arranged to move the hungry to yearning, the filled to regret,

"He cleans out every morning and he moves everything twice a week." She had a r

ent. "So unlike most of the young men n

uner. She knew that if any one else had dared thus to attack their boy

orn. "Defend your children! You'll be ex

, she was born to make a good wife to a hard-working man. Where's there another woman that knows

u," said h

Brauner pretended to d

ver. "We have had the be

Nor did their cordiality lessen his embarrassment. His pink and white skin was rosy red and his frank blu

-he always called on Sunday afternoons and stayed until

. He didn't like anybody to be severe with Hilda, and he felt that their way of helping his courtship was not suited to the modern ideas. "They make her ha

se of the break in the custom. "Oh, you must come," she said

time were on Hilda, in the corner, at the zither, playing the maddest, most romantic music; her father therefore usually won, poor at th

that is-if I can-

Brauner and his wife walked slowly home-it was late and there would be more business than Hilda and August coul

d Mrs. Brauner. "She'd say it wa

nd her-for two chickens, as we're out?" Then he laughed. His fierceness was the family jok

Her sleeves were rolled to her dimpled elbows, and her arms were round and strong and white, and her skin was fine and smooth. Her shoulders were

and Heilig, daughter, and ask them for two two-pound chicke

ns, now. We-" Hilda's brow co

l you," said

ot sink to the disre

to-morrow! I've made

ou must show consideration for your parents. Are they to be deprived of their Sunday a

blame. She determined to make him suffer for it-how easy it was to make him suffer, and how pleasant to feel that this big fellow was her slave! She went straight

e stammered. "No, inde

won. Come down Sunday afternoon.

. Therefore he appeared at his worst before her-usually either incoherent or dumb. It was not surprising that whenever it was suggested that only a super

ST come! I'll not be glad to see you. But if you don't come I'll never speak to you agai

of furniture ever since he let his mother go to Mrs. Brauner and ask her for Hilda. He watched Hilda's splendid back, and fumbl

a woman see that you care about her. The worse you treat the women the better they like it. When they used to tell my fath

hen at sight of her he could open his jaws only enough to chatter them, could loosen his tongue only enough to roll it thickly a

OUTSHI

he real New York and the real New Yorkers. In the Square several thousand young people were promenading, many of the girls walking in pairs, almost all the young men paired off, each with a young woman. It was warm, and the stars beamed down upon the hearts of young lovers, blotting out for them electric lights and surrou

d down. "Do you wonder I hate him?" They talked in American, as did all the

been noting her face she would h

tupid and-and common!" Never before had she used that last w

e owned no tenements-was barely able to pay the rent for a small corner of one. Thus her sole dower was her pretty face and her cunning. She had an industrious, scheming, not overscrupulous brain and-her hopes and plans. N

s Otto!" said Hilda absently. Her eyes

she answered. "I think he's all right-as men

st and laughed a great deal. As they passed near him she laughed loudly and called out to Sophie as if she were not at her elbow-she feared he would not see. Mr. Feuerstein turned

steered her party so that it crossed his path. He looked up to find himself staring at Hilda. She frowned at this disagreeable apparition into her happiness, and quickene

she and Heilig dropped back until several couples separated them from Hilda and Mr. Feuerstein. A few minutes and Hilda and Mr.

r very appearance. It associates respectability with work only, and it therefore suspects those who look as if they did not work and did not know how. Sophie was soon answering of her own accord the questions H

this shrewd blow at his enemy. "He's rigged out like a lunatic, isn't he?" Otto was thinking of the long h

aming in his face. But Hilda's crazy over him, as you see. He tells all sorts of romances about himself, and she believes every word. I t

th listening to, as it presented love and marriage in the interesting, romantic-sensible Avenue A light. Otto was staring gloomily at the sh

reat he was as an actor, how commonplace her life there, how beautiful he could make it if only he had money. It was an experience to hear Mr. Feuerstein say the word "money." Elocution could go no further in surcharging five letters with contempt. His was one of those l

ove a spell over Hilda. "I adore you. How strange that I should have wa

Heilig with her. What words had she fit to express response to these exalted emotions? "I-

hearts speak each to the other without words, my beauti

know," stam

y he looked!-"marrying another-a merchant like my father. They think

ed her from seeing that he was also fr

on are horrible to me. And I am mad to claim you as my own. I could not take you with

ural in her surroundings, so foreign to her education; and she could see just how her father would look upon her lover. She feared he would vent plain sp

row or next day, my treasure, and I

n. I must stay at home-

uck his hand upon his brow and sighed tragically. "Oh,

t that he was superfine, that he suffered more than ordinary folk,

to introduce them to me

d trembling in his. "That would spoil everything. You wouldn't un

parts of his pose and give way to his appetite for beer and Schweizerkase sandwiches. "How happy we shall be!" he murmured tenderly, kissing her cheek and thinking how hard it was to be practical and keep rem

d it made his heart ache and his courage faint to see the love-light in her eyes-and she as far away from him as Heaven f

ight. "At least," she reflected, "he's seeing that he isn't in it with Hilda and ne

iety left her face, but cast a deeper shadow over her heart. She felt his

she said, patting him on the s

ce in her lap and cried like the boy-man that he

d at his machine, leaving them penniless; her boy-who had laughed and sung and whistled and diffused hope

will yet be well." And she felt it-God would not be God

I

AVORS THE

aside their burdens-hers of dread, his of despair-and went about the work that had to be done and that healthfully filled almost all their waking moments; and when bed

ad closed, they bought the supplies for a cold or warmed-up supper before starting. Otto looked so sad-usually he was in high spirits-that most of these early customers spoke to him or to Joe Schwartz about his health. There were few of them who did not know what was troubling him. Am

isure to think, and the throbbing ache returned to his heavy heart. All the time pictures of her were passing before his eyes. He had known her so long

t of him? Could he ever forget how she had reached with great effort into a snowbank, had dug out with her small, red-mittened hands a chunk of snow, and, lifting

llowed a band, all day on a Saturday. And he had never wearied of watching her long, slim legs twinkling tirelessly to the music. She invented new figures and variations on steps which the other girls adopted. She and her especial friends became famous among the children throughout the East Side; even grown people noted the grace an

ship? was not its cargo his hopes and dreams and plans?-was sailing away with

before seen the wonderful lady in red and gold seated under a tree and gazing out over the river-all the verses were underneath. When he could stare at it no longer he turned to the other wall where hung the target bearing the marks of Paul Brauner's best shots in the prize contest he had won. But he saw neither the lady watching the Rhine nor

ghts and draw it forth in the hope that all would follow, she returned, fright in her eyes. She clasped her ha

he matter?

ervousness. "It's all your fault!" she exclaimed. "They want to

ttered, dazed. "I

you!" She was clasping and unclasping her hands, tr

chanically. "Oh, no-surel

l!" She sank wretchedly into a chair. "Can you do nothing but

with me," said Otto.

e could not. This splendid, romantic creature, with his graceful hat and his golden hair and his velvet collar, was too compelling, too overpowering.

ty inquiry upon Otto. Otto's fists clenched-he longed to discuss the s

se for an imposing entrance, "I have come to end the deception-to make yo

ed Hilda, her fears getti

w-just now, they will-o

trical convention for love beyond words. "It must be settled at once. I mus

ry matters-he must be in trouble. H

d Otto turned away, unable to bear the sight of that look of love, tenderness and trust. "

s my friend whom I brought here-but I make one condition." He drew a long breath and looked at Hilda. For the first time she heard him, the real Otto Heilig, speak. "Hilda," he went on, "I don't want to hurt you-I'd do any

ly. "Who is this person, Miss Braune

urriedly. "He's an old friend. Trust me,

I love. No more deception! Carl Feuerstein"-how he did roll

phing over the discomforts of Sunday clothes. They looked at Mr. Feuerstein with candidly questioning surpris

Brauner beamed. "Oh, a friend of yours," Brauner said,

rs. Brauner's. "I am not a friend of this-young man," he said with the dignity of a H

riumphant smile. But Hilda was under no delusion. She shivered and moved nearer to Otto. She felt that he was her hope in this

king his head violently. "My daughter is

aged. I'm sure she loves this gentleman, and I want her to be happy. I can not be anything

udy, useless-looking creature under his roof was an insult to his

this mean?"

this crazy fellow? W

love him. Listen to Otto-it'll break my heart if you frown on my marrying

terrupted Otto. "All this can be settl

rstein, who was posing as

the insulting tone which exact

g down his wrath. "I, sir, am of an ancient Prussian family-a gentleman. I saw your peerless daughter, sought

of town. Down here we don't give our daughters to strangers or do-nothings or rascals. We believe in love-yes. But we also have a little common sense and self-respect." Brauner flung this at Mr

is white hand. "My friends will speak for me. And I shall give you the addresses of my noble relatives in Germany, t

rself the disgrace of mingling with us plain folk. Hilda, go to your room!" Brauner poin

Father, you can't make me marry Otto Heilig. I HATE him. I guess this is a free country. I shall marry Mr. Feuer-Carl." She went up to him and put her arm through

s hand on Br

u"-in a lower tone-"for the sake of her future-don't drive him out, and her with him. If he really wou

urs. Her mother and I have promi

ishes it, she herself. And nothing can

is common sense. Hilda looked at Otto gratefully. "Thank you,

glance. "Perhaps Otto's right," he growled.

e and cake. Hilda arranged the table for pinochle, and when her father a

ow tone, "I am prostrated by wh

garlanding her ass-headed lover. "You were right, my beloved. We shall win-fathe

ady taking a less unfavorable view of him. And Mr. Feuerstein laid himself out to win the owner of three tenements. He talked German politics with him in High-German, and applauded his accent and his opinions. H

" he said, "I will give a s

private hall. "Mother!" he called. "Come

rms, and began a melancholy, princely pacing of the floor. With a suddenness that made them start, he burst out thunderously. He strode, he roared, he rolled his eyes, he waved his arms, he tore at his hair. It was Wallenstein in a soul-sweat. The floor creaked, the walls echoed. His ingenuous auditors, except Otto, listened and looked with bated breath. They

said Brauner. Hilda looked at her lover proudly. Otto felt that the recitation was idiotic-"Nobody ever carri

I must get back and help Schwartz open up," he sa

uner. It should have been served before, but

" he replied. "I

ess first! I must go in myself-and you, too, Hilda." The l

jarred upon her. But Mr. Feuerstein rose and took leave mos

," answered Brauner with a sham

along. She paused and tried to draw him into conversation. But he answered briefly and absently, gradually retreating into the darkness of his shop and pointedl

ASH AND

ecretly inclined to be proud that his daughter had made this exalted conquest. All men regard that which they do not know either with extravagant awe or with extravagant contempt. While Brauner had the universal human failing for attaching too much importance to the department of human knowledge in which he was thoroughly at ho

doubt of success fled his mind, and he was free to indulge his vanity and his contempt for these simple, unpretending people. "So vulgar!" he said t

ree, flat-houses-"The shop's enough for the old people and that dumb ass of a brother. I'll

ain boarders. She had given him a week's notice, and had so arranged matters that if he fled he could not take his meager baggage. He was down to eighty-five cents of a borrowed dollar. He owed money everywhere in sums ranging from five dollars to twenty-five cents. The most of these debts were in the form of half-dollar borrowings. He had begun his New York career with loans of "five dollars until

rols every highway and byway and private way of civilization had thickened and toughened his skin into a hide. "Good evening, Albers," he said cordially, with a wave of the soft, light hat. "I see you have a vacant place in your little circle. Thank you!" He assumed that Albers had invited him, took a chair from another table and seated hims

erately beside her, and he at once began advances. She showed at a glance that she was a silly, vain girl. Her face was fat and dull; she had thin, stringy hair. She was flabby and,

tarted and rolled his great eyes dreamily away. Never before had she received attentions that were not of the frankest and crudest practical nature. She was all in a flutter at having thus unexpectedly come upon appreciation of the beauties

ug-store man. Feuerstein saw that Dippel was on the verge of collapse from too much drink. As he still had his eighty-five

aid Dippel at las

him to a seat at a table and ordering whisky. After the third large drink, Dippel became helpless and maudlin and began to overflow

denied that he was a "beat" and swore that he loved Dippel like a broth

s he noted tens and twenties and at least one fifty. Slowly, and with exaggerated care, Dippel drew off a ten. "There y'are

ways covers an opportunity to get something somebody else has earned. He put the ten in his pocket, when Dippel's eyes closed he stooped and retrieved the twenty with stealth-and skill. When the twenty

lasping it tightly in his fist, waved it under Feuerstein's nose. As he did it, he vented a drunken chuckle. "Soda f

. Then he took off another ten and handed it to Feuerstei

re whisky. Dippel tried to doze, but he would not per

up. "G'-night," he said, trying to stand, look and talk straigh

uerstein, taking him by t

ow what I'm 'bout. I'm goin' home." Then to himself, but aloud: "Dippy, yo

shine-g'night. Sit t

lder and flung them through the swinging doors. Dippel fell in a heap on the sidewalk,

h me," shou

ce! P

ried away. When he glanced back from a safe distance Dippel w

ven when he was drunk. What good is money to a brute like him?" And he gav

precisely. Lena Ganser was already there, pretending to shop at a counter in full view of the appointed place. They went to Terrace Garden and sat in the Stube. He at once opened up his sudden romantic p

herr von Feuerstein, the gr

man Emperor or even who was President of the United States. S

aining at home, in ease and luxury, here am I-an actor-a wanderer-roaming the earth in search of the heart that Heaven intended should be wedded to mine." He fixed his gaze upon

t her way of expressing emotion. She made a brief struggle, the

sternly. He revolted from t

me," she pleaded. "Pa says I'm a fool. I was laughing becau

pted Lena's offering with a condescending nod and smile. They talked, or, rather, he talked and she li

a won't be home to lunch to-day

rich late in life. He happened to be elected president of a big Verein and so had got the notion that he was a person of importance and attainments beyond his fellows. Too coarse and narrow and ignorant to appreciate the elevated ideals of democracy, he reverted to the European vulgarities of rank and show. He decided that he owed it to himself and his family to live in

usness of their palace. He looked about with a proprietary sense-"I'll marry this little idio

n, low and fainting. When she sat-or, rather, AS she sat, for she was always sitting-her mountain of soft flesh seemed to be slowly collapsing upon and around the chair like a lump of dough on a mold. Her only interest in life was disclosed when she was settled and settling at the luncheon table. She used

silence, shot with strange piercing looks that made her feel as if she were

e cried. "I shall not leave you a

with jealous anxiety, was in the parlor of a Lutheran parsonage, with the minister reading out of the black book, before she was quite aware that she and her cycloni

razy-just crazy! We must wait till he finds out about you-then he'll be

rmly-his tone was now the tone of the master. All th

ng it. "I bet you, pa'll make you wish y

y at a new bonnet as she turned it slowly round on one of her cushion-like hands. Feuerstein w

ked and looked h

d, ma," exp

ein." And she gav

succeeded in articulating. "Ach!" She lifted her arm, thi

?" asked Feuerstein, his tone

uge head vaguely. "See

ing horses and his evenings in carousal, had come down upon him for ten thousand dollars to settle a gambling debt. Peter was willing that his son should be a gentleman and should conduct himself like one. But he had worked too hard for his money not to wince as a plain man at wha

how long are you going

face. He extended both his hands and advanced grandly upon fat, round Peter. "My father!" he exclaimed in his class

d face became redder as he glared, first at Feuerstein, then at Le

ted Feuerstein, dr

kers bristled. "Is this fellow telling the truth?" he asked Lena

e made me do it, pa,

er, pointing his pudgy finger tre

tle eyes that sparkled. Feuerstein quailed. It was full half a minute before Ganser spoke. Then he went up to Feuerstein, stood on tiptoe an

" said Feuerstein with

ick!-aus!-gleich!-Lum

wife!" exclai

hrieked. "If you don't, I have you taken in when the po

ously because his short, thick leg would not reach. At the bottom of the steps Feuerstein turned and waved his fists wildly. Ga

vieh!

d in and slam

VE SOUL S

alf-past eight and a feeling of impending misfortune settling in close. She was not conscious of the music, though the second part of the program contained the selections from Wagner which she loved best. She fev

Partly through shrewdness, partly through her natural suspicion of stranger

the theater, but would surely come here." The fac

of labor. And when she did get to bed she lay awake for nearly an hour, tired though she was. Without doubt some misfortune had befallen him-"He's been hurt or is ill," she decided. The

a voice that compelled him to feel

mforting explanation of Mr. Feuerstein's failure and silence. After supper Sophie came and they we

d," said Sophie. "Maybe Otto

too long and too well to entertain for an instant the idea that he could be un

Sophie, as if she had not

might look as if I-

phie. "You can wait down the street and I'l

the last they were almost running. At the corner of Fifteenth Street and First Avenue Hilda stopped. "I'll go through to

ained red wrapper, her hair in curl-papers and one stocking down about her high-heeled sli

out Mr. Feuerstei

izzical smile. "Oh!" she said. "You can go up to his ro

oudly. "Come!" was the answer in German

ugh the crack: "It's me, Mr. Feuerstein-Sophie

ter a pause. From Ganser's he had come straight home and ha

tuyvesant Square," she said. "She thought you might be sick, so we came. But

d he go or should he send Sophie about her business? There was no hope that the rich brewer would take him in; there was every reason to suspect that Peter would arrange to have the ma

he said gloomily,

getic again. "I won't come u

r. Feuerstein took her hand and pretended

lent for acting had not been spoiled by a stage experience. "Hild

erstein. "May God reward you!" And

stairs. As he moved down the street his face was mournful and his shoulders were drooped-a stage invalid. When Hilda saw him coming she started up and g

The strain of the interview with your father-the anguish-the hope-oh, what a curse it is to have a sensitive soul!

ou had only sent word, dear," she said reproachfully, "I would have

of his remark; the Gansers were for the moment out of his mind, which was absorbed in his acting. "But it is ove

I come to

e-suitable. We must respect the little

. "I must return to my room," he said wearily. "Ah, heart's delight, it is

so downcast. He had soon put Hilda into the background and was busy with his plans for revenge upon Ganser-"a vulgar animal who insulted me when I honored him by marrying his ugly g

the way out, a man with a hangdog look and short bristling hair and the pastily-pallid skin that comes from living long away from the sunlight. Feuerstein shivered slightly-was it at the touch of such a creature or at the suggestions his appearance started? In front of him was a ground-glass partition with five

oduced a card-it was one of his last re

five doors, almost immediately reappeared at another, closed it mysteriously behind him and went to a third door. He threw

Lynn, Levy and McCafferty were lawyers to the lower grades of the criminal and shady only. They defended thieves and murderers; they prosecuted or defended scandalous divorce cases;

contemptuous cordiality: "Oh-Mr. Feuerstein. G

rstein winced slightly. H

perfumed and his clothes were in the extreme of the loudest fashion. A diamond of great size was in his bright-blue scarf; another, its match, loaded down his fat little finger. Both could be unscrewed and set in a hair orname

y you from the consequences of boyish folly. And now, a man grown, I

oeb. "My time is much occupied. The

on the stage, with the orchestra playing low and sweet. "I met a woman a

rightful fakir and liar, Feuerstein. You were, seven years ago; of course, the habit's grown

ter Ganser," said Feuerstein, sullen but terse. "And h

want yo

nt re

'd give up a good deal to get rid of YOU." Loeb gave that m

e up!" said Feue

orward and looked into Feuerste

ly as he said in a false voice:

," sai

e's away of

EW you were still married to the Mrs. Feuerstein of seven years ago we couldn't take the present case. As it is-the best way is to

y. He must sweat for it. I'm

ly. "And you have rights

shall

How much do you wan

at least twenty

" he said. "Possibly the five without the

t at the moment. But I th

d client, we will. But you must agree to give us all we can get

rstein. The more he had thought on his ca

the circumstances. You

ything without

th Feuerstein, but went on: "And you're SURE that the-th

she'd never enter any

nds who are likel

ew no o

. Travis or Mr. Gordon will take your statement of

done with him, he showed him out. "Call day after to-morrow," he said, "an

Feuerstein's statement had been typewritten. Loeb

sat silent, drumming noiselessly on the table with his stumpy, hairy, fat fingers.

eaking acq

What kind of

ht, though. He's deadly afraid of social scandal. Wants to get into the German Clu

to see him your

eb. Isn't your man-this Feuers

ve without work, to live off other people's work, there's nothing they wouldn't stoop to, to keep on living that way. As for this c

ch at the other significa

ll, I think you're right, that G

s about to force him to produce his daughter in court. But you understand. Try to induce him to go to Beck." Travis gri

uggest any sum if he agrees to go to Beck. Beck can get at lea

e wonder,"

orrected Travis in

ve got a 'pretty good nut on me,' as John L. used to say," he replied. "I think I do know a little about the law. And n

ice at the brewery. The old ma

id Travis with deference. "As you know, I am with Loeb,

d to his fee

outed, "I don't

for all comers. Our firm has sent me out of kindly feeling for you. We are all men of family, like yourself, and, when the case was forced on us, we at once tried to t

rs-they're all thieves. Get out!" But T

ctor. You know how they crave notoriety. You know how eager the new

nd had to seat himself. "It's o

she's well beyond the legal age. Of course, he can't compel her to live with him or you to support him. But he can force the co

ons heavy. "What you talk about?"

n a sympathetic tone. "But if the law permits these outrages, it also provides remedies.

mean by that?

erstein. But, as between friends, I'd advise you to go to some good divorce lawyers-a firm that is reputable but

iously but credulously. "I'll see,"

, then pretended to change his mind. "I came here to serve the papers on you," he said apologetically. "But I'll take the responsibility of delaying-it

in the Postal Telegraph Building. He told Windisch the whole story. "And," he e

ur line. We don't do that kind of work. I should say Beck and Brown were yo

ay play me

They stand wel

lite, was always insultingly frank to any o

lient, "I guess you can look out for yourself. Of course there's always danger, once you get

lied Ganser. "No ne

bargain as you can. But you'll have t

ider, especially when you were looking into his cold, amused, malignant black eyes. He made short work of the guileless brewer, who was dazed and frightened by the meshes in which he was enveloped

erstein has shrewd lawyers-none better. That man Loeb-" Beck threw up his arms. "Of course," he c

said Ganser. "M

tein's past, which his detective would make. But he thou

IN TOMPK

note, asking her to meet him in Tompkins Square on Friday evening. That afternoon he carefully prepared himself. He resolved that the scene between her and him should be, so far as his part was concerned, a masterpiece of that

et him. She made no effort to control the delight in her eyes and in her voice. She loved him; he loved her. Why suppres

oman being in love with him? "The women are all crazy about me," was his inward comment whenever a woman chanced to glance at him. As he took Hilda's

way from the music and the crowds. He d

come, dear?" Hilda asked

y God!" An impressive pause. "Ah, child, you do not know what suffer

sion. "What is it, Carl? You can

shadow from your young life. I ought not to have co

ou, Carl," sh

sed you-dreadfu

me!" he exclaimed, seizing her hand in

s pale to the lips, and he could see, even

ured. "You know I-can

oach me! Revile me! Be harsh, scor

me," she said humbly. "I don't know what to say or do. I-you look so

usic with sobs and sad ecstasies of farewell embraces in it. He kissed her, the

he spoke, it rose or fell as his words and the distant music prompted him. "Mine has been a luckless life," he said. "I have been a football of destiny, kicked a

y with vexation. Here was a speech to thrill, yet she sat there ine

stern aside, a curious mingling o

r. I don't seem to be able to pay attention." She looked at h

n-my time is short. How can you say I do not

ce don't feel like it," she said. "W

to expect it. But "art for art's sake"; and he went on in tones of gentle melancholy. "I love you, but fate has again caught me up. I am b

head and rep

? Don't you lo

as gently as he could in the irritating c

rrupted. "What is it? Can't you

ved me!" he c

o," she answered. "Won

om my past-I must leave

n to sob-not loudly, but in a subdued, despairing way. She was not conscious o

she said

eplied in a h

tion. "I thought I could make even her feel," he said to himself compla

you mustn't!" She blazed out before his astonished eyes, a woman electric with disdain an

and anguished. "You, too, desert me! Ah, God, whenever was

," she scoffed. "But I

n voice. "At least I am glad you will be spared the sufferi

rising to go struck her

dly, "not yet-not just ye

d he seated himself beside

r a moment, then murmured: "

," he whispered, "but I have no right to bl

up, her fa

ou WILL

t I can," he a

y at first, 'Hilda, something I can't tell you about has happened. I must go a

he exclaimed, and for an instant he almost forgot

ng?" she asked

of my soul. But I c

id softly, "you'll always know that I'm loving you, won't y

out of a man was rousing what was very like a sense of shame. "I must go now," he said with real gentleness in his voice and a lo

the homeward journey by instinct alone. She seemed to be walking in her sleep. She entered the shop-it was crowded with customers, and her father, her mother and August were bustling about behind the counters. "Here, tie this up," said her father, thrusting into her hands a sheet of wrapping paper on which were piled a chicken, some sausages, a bottle of olives and a can of cherries. S

er eyes. They were the eyes of a woman grown, and they look

I

SEVERA

abrupt change to a gentle, serious, silent woman, the sparkle gone from her

ming again?" asked her fat

Hilda, in a tone which made it impossible

for good, that Hilda was hoping when there was nothing to hope for, and that her own affairs were suffering from the cessation of action. She was in the mood to entertain the basest suggestions

of the eighth day after Mr. Feuerstein's "parting scene" in Tompkins S

lover of hers-that tall fellow f

rvous manner. "I always hated to see Hilda go wi

he was going

at way," she said in a voice that was evidently concealing so

. "You don't mean-" she exclaimed. And

er pride must have had a fall. N

e looked at Walpurga in a frightened way as i

as proof of their truth. And on the third day they had reached Otto's mother. Not a detail was lacking-even the scene between Hilda and her father was one of the several startling climaxes of the tale. Mrs. Heilig had been bitterly

it, mother," he said. "I don't

er. "But I can see that her vanity has led her

you?" he

ames of several women. "It

folly of such an attempt. He would only aggravate the gossip and the scandal, give the sc

lped her with her lover. He asked her to walk with him in the Square. When

eared he were about to

ou," he said in answer to th

n her eyes. "You are indeed my friend. I've coun

question? You'll know I wouldn't, if I didn't h

what

Mr. Feuerstein

's had trouble and it has called him away. But he told me he'd come back." She looked at him appeali

he comi

come as soon as he could. I w

ow why he went or

l want a girl to trust you

Theater. In the box-office sat a young man with hair precisely parted i

r. Feuerstein's ad

into you like he did into every one else. Yes, you can have his address.

went to Stuyvesant Square and seated himself where he could see the stoop of the boarding-house. An hour, two hours, two hours and a half passed, and then his

Mr. Feuerstein wished he had the physical strength to p

ry. Really, you'll

Mr. Feuerstein hesi

d not coming back a wicked lying story is going round about Hilda. She does not know it yet, b

uerstein. "Doubtless you mean well. I'm obl

all?" s

ore can

are you go

revent a lot of ignorant

here? You're not going to do what a ma

u that it is impossible for me to go for several days at least. As soon

ompel him to be a man." He returned to the German The

im?" asked the

didn't get

the ticket-seller was mov

after him; keep your eye on him

little window. "Father-in-law?" A sic

he told one of our people he was

me Brauner?

hey say it's a daughter of a brewer, away up

htened. "Where is Gans

s. He hasn't got hold of any of the old man's money yet-there's some

the brilliant parlor, where the battle of hostile shades and colors was raging with undiminished f

d you?" asked Peter,

me at the

out!" he cried, throwing up his th

d reputation-I see you know that already. But it's nothing to what he will have when it com

med Ganser. "I won't have it. Thi

on't know about his marriage. It isn't necessary that any of them should know, exce

anser, his hair and whi

oung lady is warned. She'll be anxious enough to keep quiet.

her. Where is she? I'

No, there's only one way.

Ganser remembered that he was talking to a stranger and talki

and come out without speaking to anybody e

of the way down the stoop, shaking hands with him. It was a profound pleasure to the brewer to be able to speak his mind on the subject of his son-in-la

ed only the stage at which dinner is called luncheon-he put Lena into the carriage and they drove to Avenue A. On t

re her troubles, little though they disturbed her, marched int

auner?" she said. "I w

examining her rival. "How plain she's dressed," she thought, "and how thin and black she is!" But it was in vain; she could not deceive he

ed and her voice shrill with anger and excitement.

"How dare you!" she shrieked. "You impudent THING!" She snatched the frame, tore it away from the photograph and flung it upon the fl

ng upon the likeness of HER lover. She suddenly sprang at Lena, her face like a thunder-storm, her black brows straight and

sed lioness. "He's my husband," she whined.

ted Hilda, throw

ry. "I swear to God it's so. You can ask pa

here to lie ab

band, while he's only been making a fool of YOU. You haven't got any shame." Lena's eyes

brazen it out. Give me tha

her when he thought she was staying too long. At sight of him she began to weep again.

elf to Hilda, "It's true, Miss," he said. "The ma

why you've come here to slander him. But I do know that I'd trust him against the whole world.

ou're as big a fool as my Len

ant glance. "He's MY husband," she said spitefully, "

her out of the room. His parti

a little catch in her voice: "You lie!" And after a longer interval, a third time, with a sob in her throat: "You lie! I know you lie!" She sat at the table an

erself as disloyal to him, she hurried up the Avenue and across the Square and on until she came to his lodgings. When s

. Feuerstein appeared. At sight of her he started ba

" she said humbly. "I wo

ce!" His tone was

her eyes appealingly toward his face. "Two people

s shaking and that his face had become greenish wh

ew that it

eyes. "What did they tell you?" he said, after a long pause,

d not to have heard him. "I must go," she mu

and upon her arm. "Hilda!"

ging head, feeling that the eyes of all were upon her, condemning, scorning. She hid herself in her little room, locking the door. Down beside the bed she sank and buried her face in the covers.

I

WIELDS T

ore Beck, triumph flaunting from his stupi

a vulgar insolence that grated

n, Mr. Ganser. I

lf. Stop the case.

s, Mr. Ganser. There are legal forms to be gone through.

coundrel-he's a bigamist. I got th

d his eyes snapped. "So you've been taking steps

o outside. I pay you off, and I don't pay for any dirty works I don't get." He had wrought himself into

rage against this dull man who had outwitted him. "If y

ive, he says you both must have known about Feuerstein. He says you two were partne

one was mild and persuasive.

u five hundred dollars. Take it or fight.

t give our services fo

. If I go out of here without my full rece

eipt and handed it to him. Peter read it and handed it back. "I'm

" he said, as he tossed the five hundred dollars into a d

ou tell the papers. If anything come out, I expose you. My lawyer, Mr. Windisch,

together. "Ganser has found out about Feue

s lip back o

ours sooner. I let Feuerst

or

e on account. I relied on

expenses in getti

send Ganser a

swindler, said he'd show that you and I were in a conspiracy, and dare

searching look which Bec

d him a bill," said Loeb slowly

-nothing bu

ne himself if he had had the chance. At his office he told a clerk to send Feuerstein a note, asking him to call the next morning. When Feuerstein came into the anteroom the gimlet-eyed

nts, that you are a bigamist and a swindler, and that if yo

not gone far up Center Street before a hand was laid upon his shoulder from behind. He stopped as if he had bee

aughing face of a man who

, old boy," said the detective

Feuerstein made a miserab

w YOU-all about you. Come in he

tive ordered two glasses of beer. "No

for bigamy. But if you clear out, you won't be followed. You've got to leave today, understand? If you're here to-

ing the sweat from his face. "I have done nothing," he protested in

you," said t

e you get broke in." He rose and shook hands with Feuerstein. "So long," he said. "Good luck!

without danger of attracting his landlady's attention, filled his pock

OF PLA

of that community, so they knew all hers, and therefore knew what it was possible for her to do and what impossible. And if a baseless lie is swift of foot where everybody minutely scrutinizes ever

. Feuerstein was a cheat, a traitor. She cast him out of her heart-cast him out at once and utterly and for ever. She could think

out her work, too busy to indulge in hyste

he came up to them in the Square. But Otto was awaiting his chance, and when it came, plunged boldly into his heart-subject and f

never going to marry," she said

e were in school together and-I'll stic

if I were spoiling your life. And if y

always have, an

. She turned to him suddenly, and, with flushed cheeks and

u didn'

row it up to me. And sooner or later, everybody'll know. No m

, "and I do. And i

Bronx for a half-holiday. They could not set out until their shops closed, at half-past twelve, and they had to be back at five

Otto and even flirted with him. This elevated her father and his mother to hilarity. They were two very sensibl

another and went off into gales of mirth over nothing at all. What laughter is so gay as laughter at nothing at all? Any one must laugh

hemselves alone, seated by a little waterfall, which in a quiet, sentimenta

ilda," said Otto. "And we know al

speak for se

ny heart to give you,

intelligent to dispute, when time would settle the question-and, he felt sure, wo

th awe to think that he had at last won her. As for her, she was looking forward, without illusions, without regrets, to

delight and pleasure of the others in the car, rose up and embraced and kissed first his daughter, then Otto and

tting-room back of the shop. "Wait he

d. It must be drunk slowly." He drew the cork and poured the wine with great ceremony, and they all drank with much touching of glasses and bowing and exchanging of good wis

at Otto from a different point of view.

, they found that their insurance had expired four days before the fire. It was Schwartz's business to look after t

is hands and burst into tears. "I saw that you were in trouble," h

capital, nothing but seven hundred dollars i

er a few minutes. "No matter,"

enue to the shop of Geishener, the la

" he explained. "I mus

ollars a week. "I'll begin in the morning

open up again?"

gone and I've taken a place with Geishener. I ca

fortunes as coral insects build their islands. And Hilda was getting along-why, she would be twenty in four months. "I don't know.

ked. And if they had not been mere men they would have noticed a cha

release you

ng left-and a l

nd put her arm round his neck. "We'll have to begin a

t away!" he shouted. And when he was alone in the shop he wiped his eyes, not

neasily, his eyes down and his face red. "It was hard en

y," she said. "I know I'm getting

been working ever since I was eleven-and that's fourteen years-to get what I had. And it's all gone. I

Otto?" She put her

is voice broke. "I can'

" She prete

ck this evening. I wa

e. But you can

en her hands, until her father came in. Then she said: "We're going to be m

bed his fac

inued, "in the empty store where Bischoff was.

al of money," obj

bank," replied Hilda. "We'll give you six. You know it

. "You can have t

nt store. The owner, old man Schulte, was sweeping the sidewalk. He had an income of fifteen thousand a year; but he held that he needed exercise, that sweeping

ilda. "What rent do yo

he old man, continuing his sweeping

get married and open a delicatessen. But sixty dollar

's your hurry?" he called. "You ca

be listening from politene

forty," she answered, st

ty," Schulte called after her, "

again. "But I don't care much for the neighbor

he was watching Schulte from the corner of her eye. He was leaning on his broom, watching her. Seeing that she was going to pass without stopping he called to her and went slow

ilda. "There'll have to be at least two hundred dol

" grumbled the old man,

thirty-five and that includes three rooms at

tchen, too,"

Oh, you mean

t for forty, with fi

't pay more. We're just starting

old man returned to his sweeping. "Always the way, dealing with a woman," he growled into his be

gements almost completed. And she told every one about the com

s next Saturday a week," s

eople only smiled and winked. "You're not so sly as you think," they said. "

ut going in. "They've heard the story," he said to hi

been a little shy with him underneath ever since she had suddenly awakened to the fact that he was a real he

ack out now,

"Are you angry at m

ce into her waving black hair. "MY Hilda," he said in a low voic

nd Heim," she quote

STEIN IS

rm and stress-wretched lodgments in low boarding-houses, odd jobs at giving recitations in beer halls, undignified ejectments for drunkenness and failure to pay, borrowings which were removed from frank street-begging only in his imagination. He sank very low indeed, but

as if it were trying to portray the emotions of a lofty spirit flinging defiance at destiny from a slough of despair. It was plain that he had been drinking heavily-the whites of his eyes were yel

r. Feuerstein, the central figure, enwrapped in a somber and baleful blaze of glory. He had arranged everything except such details as must be left to the inspir

e door, she was filling a sheet of wrapping paper with figures-calculations in connection with the new business. A shadow fell across her pa

eyes, sunk deep in blue-black sockets, burned into hers with

eaning against the counter weakly. "I have come on

expression, his tone, his word

Yet"-he looked at her with passionate sadness-"it was bec

pleading rather than commandin

esty. "I have finished my life. I am bowing my farewell. Ano

ed Hilda. She was profoundly move

?" He gave her one of his

forgi

ningly at her and said: "I was mad-mad with love for you. And when I realized that I had lost you, I went down, down, down. God! What have I not suffered for your s

ted against herself because she was not hating him.

nd a sharp point. He began to play with it, and presently, with a sly, almost insane glance to assure himself that she was not seeing, slipped it into the right outsi

ft. I shall fling myself through the gates of death. I shall be forgotten. And

the counters. "She loves me. She will gladly die with me," he muttered. "First into

She was no longer looking at him, did not note his excitement, was thinking only of ho

t of her. His right hand was in his coat pocket, grasping the k

all leading to the sitting-room. "You

Come over to Meinert's as soon as you can. I shall be in the sitting-room. Just for a mom

ring face warned Mr. Feuerstein not to linger. W

oing here?" gr

ered Hilda absently. "He

uner in the commanding voice that sounded so fier

rang in her ears. She no longer loved him; but she HAD loved him. She could not think of him as a stranger and an enemy-the

nce" of Meinert's beer-garden. She went into the little anteroom and, with her hand

d can come of my seeing him. What would Otto think of me? What am I

ed. He called for pen, ink and paper. He wrote rapidly and, when he had finished, declaimed his production, punctuating the sentences with looks and gestures. His voice gradually broke, and he uttered the last words with sobs and with the tears streaming down his cheeks. He signed

were opposite him at the table. "I drink to you, Death!" he said. The waiter stared

er along the edge. "The key to my sleeping-room," he muttered, ha

tered and he

, frowning heavily.

t pay," said the waiter.

in laughed s

I shall pay for all-for all!" He laughed, with muc

ead to the left and closed his eyes. Then with a sudden tremendous drive he sent the long, narrow blade deep into his neck. The blood spurte

-with empty pockets and

ERSTEIN

as the game of pinochle which Otto must lose to her father. As they sat at their game she was at the zither-table, dreamily playing May Breezes as she watched Otto and thought how much more comfortabl

: "Hilda, here are two

were obviously detectives-"plain clothes men" from the Fifth-Street Station House. There could be

hout waiting to be asked. Casey took off his hat; O'Rourke's hand hesitated at the brim, then drew his hat more firmly down upon h

her father and Ott

ctor named Feuers

e could not speak.

see him

ost whispe

Otto half rose, then sank back again.

er

re e

aced her fingers. "Only here,

w, lady. Speak the truth.

s exchanged significant glances. "No,"

of the store t

e, then a f

you go?"

n left it. "To Meinert's," she answ

use to hold back, lady," continued Casey. "We know all about yo

g as if she were having a chill. "Bu

Casey roughly. "You'd bet

Hilda," interposed her fa

ld back a

he begged me to come over to Meinert's for a minute. He said he had something to say to me. And then I w

he had done, lad

ed up. "It's nobody's business. Why do you ask m

keep cool. When you went, what did y

she would have fallen to the

undertone to O'Rourke. "She's it, all

et the rest out of her when he p

is afraid of his inward impulses to gentleness: "Come,

terror, flinging hersel

do you mean?" he demand

ng tone. "The less fuss you make, the better it'll be f

rupted Otto, rushing betwee

hout telling her why. You

uously. "Drop it, Dutchy. I gu

e district leader here? Well, he's a friend of mine. If we haven't got an

s less insolent. "Well, if you must know, she

d sank into a chair and buried her face. "I

other in horror. "Murder!" whispered

put his arms about her

angrily. "Now, will she go qui

n an undertone to Hilda. "Don't be frightened, dear. You're innocen

ut to him as never before. From that moment it was his, all his. "My love, my dear love," she said. She went to th

in front of Meinert's, a crowd was surging, was filling sidewalk and street. When they came to the edge of it, Casey suddenly said "In here" an

Mike?" said the

ied Casey. "She did

y, Hilda and O'Rourke pass. He thrust back

nded Otto, beside

nd was standing between it and them, one hand

half-pleaded, hal

ce. "The best thing you can do is to go to the statio

rk hall. When they touched a door he threw it open. He pushed her roughly i

be regarding her with a glassy, hateful stare-the "curse in a dead man's eye." His chin was fallen back and down, and his lips exposed his teeth in a hideous grin. And then she saw-

sinking down to the fl

cheerfully to Captain Hanlon, "You

h and nodded. At this a man sitting near hi

ner-laughed again. "I suppose you thi

d see that," r

Doctor Wharton. "No matter how she took it, yo

couragement from Wharton's words. But Hilda was still moan

down, her fluttering hands loose in her lap. "What was the trouble b

captain. "I don't know anything about this except that

him; she laid her hand softly upon his brow, pushed back his long, yellow hair. The touch of her fingers seemed to smooth the wild, horrible look from

o on the stage,

t's right, Miss. They can't force you to ta

ook. "Don't you meddle in t

tell by the slant of the wound. And I don't propose to stand

"We've got a witness who saw her do it-or at l

rugged his

," he said to Hil

t a lawyer,"

y. Why should

talking in court. These fellow

station house," i

asping her hands on her heart and

r along,

and out at the side door. When Hilda saw the great crowd she covered her face with her hands and s

r. "We'll have to ge

the frantically curious, pushed on by those behind. In the wagon she revived and by the time they reached the station house, seemed calm. Another great

e home! Take me home!" she sobbed. "I've not done anything." The men forgot that they had promised

to go now, ch

sely. "It'll turn out all right, dear," he said. "We're having a stre

its gray gloom. But alone in her cell, seated upon the board that was her bed, her disgrace and loneliness and danger took possession of her. She was a child of the people, brought up to courag

in her ears like the shrieks of the damned. Seconds seemed moments, moments hours. "I'm dreaming," she said aloud at last. She star

bench, to dread the time when the darkness

I

R. FEU

orning. Casey looked at her haggard face with an expression of satisfaction. "Her ne

huge nose and wafer-thin, flapping ears, who had snatched a purse in Houston Street. On her left, lolling against her, was an old woman in dirty calico, w

woman said to her with a le

deference. Hilda made no answer, seemed not to have heard. H

n in black satin, addressing the company at large. "N

t at him-forty years ago." She nodded vigorously and cackled. Her cackle rose in

love, my love

rt, t

it broke, it

oke my

ted the policeman from t

he was murmuring, "I can't stand it much longer-I can't. I'll wake soon and see Au

awyer, engaged by her father, came there, and Hilda was sent with him into a little consultation room. He

en heard and judged. A court officer cam

into the dingy, stuffy little courtroom she didn't note the throng which filled it to the last crowded inch of standing-room; did not note the scores of sympathetic faces

, and his look became more and more gentle and kindly.

's tone and his kind, honest, old face reassured her. And just then she felt a p

l-a lawyer?" ask

aven't done anything wron

stantly to say, "I warn you that the case against

ve only the truth to tell," she

certainly won't need counsel. Your rights are secure here." He looked at Captain Hanlon, who

low tone to a court officer, who

he shouted, as if he were trying to make himself h

u w

nd when Meinert stood before him and beside Hilda a

one yesterday. He looked a little wild-as if he'd been drinking or was

you g

your

you see

the poli

not gossip. Captain Hanlon, wh

derstood that Mr.

n he said, raising his voice, "Doe

rt did," spok

the center of his head just above his fo

und the

ng stupidly and his throat was exp

you saw and h

k for paper and ink. And then he write and look round like crazy. An

and was looking at Wiel

rite?" asked t

he write on the back and make it all ready. And then I watch him, and he take

thing of that before," interrupted H

on him?" asked

d O'Rourke shook their big, hard-looking heads

y. "It is a serious matter to take a young girl like this into custody. You police

or-" bega

apping on the desk with his gavel. "Proc

ike steam out a pipe-and I go in and see a lady at the street door. She peep

person in the room who was not intensely agitated.

the magistrate. His voice

Wielert. "

arm about Hilda. Her father

lance wander over the still courtroom. He was mos

e-it was evidently with an effort t

woman sitting just outside the inclosu

lled from the crowd.

ss!" exclaimed Hanlon

looking toward the woman, said, "S

et. Her hand dropped and revealed the

se statement we made our case. She told us she saw Hilda Brauner

u saw?" said the magistrate to W

"I see her often. She live acr

woman forward," comm

st dragged to the platform beside

ordered the

what this witn

choked voice. "I was scared. I didn't mean to tell the police Hilda wa

magistrate's voice was sever

about an hour before. Hilda came out and went away. She looked so queer that I wanted to see. I ran across the street and looked in. Mr. Feuerstein wa

to you and threaten you

aptain Hanlon with an inj

asked the magi

gh it involved her friend. She said positively that this girl went in, stayed several minutes, then came ou

e ironically. "It gave you an opp

r I didn't," Sophie exclaimed. "I was scared. I

not anger. "Oh, Sophi

tter Feuerstein wrote?" asked the

" Hanlon looked

ortance of his part in the proceedings, now pushed forward, his face flushed with tr

had gone before. The magistrate rapped down the noise and called for Doctor Wharton. While h

EATER, 3

ail this morning. It seems to have an important bearing on the hearing in

truly

M KONI

na

s a German. "Read it aloud," he said. And the clerk, a

he P

swallows me-on

d the malice which my superior gifts from nature provoked. I can live no longer

riends. I forg

orld. A sensitive heart that was crushed by the cruelt

FEUER

send a copy of the above to the new

.

Hilda. "The charge against you is absur

Otto's arm. "Let us go

; the magistrate did not touch his gavel-he was nodding vigorous approval. Hilda h

n, of pose and pretense, passed from her life. Straight and