The Mission of Poubalov — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

“> aE. THEIR WEDDING MORNING. 9 how surely the sun of happiness was shining for him. AI- exander Poubalov! What could he be doing in America, and what could have led him to call at just this juncture? Bah! there could be no significance in it, nothing but a memory of troublous experiences could be evoked by his presence, nothing connected with that past could possibly intervene now between him and the new life upon which he was joyously entering. Mrs. White was sorely distressed, for she saw that her lodger was disturbed, and in her motherly heart she wished that she had told the stranger below one of those white lies that have come to be regarded as not sinful in that they effect at least a postponement of evil. She might have said that Mr. Strobel was engaged, or that he had given up his room a week before. Both statements would have been true enough for the Recording Angel’s book, goodness knows! “Tf you had only just gone, or if he had come an hour later,’’ she murmured plaintively. “Oh, there’s nothing the matter,’’ cried Ivan, lightly ; ‘‘T was simply wondering what in the world he could want with me. I haven’t seen him for five years. Show him up, please.”’ Not half satisfied. that nothing was the matter, Mrs. White obeyed, and presently Alexander Poubalov stood upon the threshold. He was a distinguished-looking man, tall, swarthy, middle-aged, a remarkable contrast to his fair-haired fellow countryman, Ivan Strobel. ‘‘T am indeeed glad to see you, Strobel,’’ he said, his deep tones vibrant as a church bell; ‘‘may I come in?”’ ‘fT received your card and I sent for you,’’ replied Ivan, coldly. He had risen and was standing by the breakfast table. . *‘IT shall be sorry if I have disturbed you, for I had no such purpose in calling upon you. Pray go on with your breakfast,’’ and Poubalov took a step or two forward, as if waiting for an invitation to sit down. Mrs. White was prompt in responding to the summons, COnniclo@OolKs (C(Q) in