The Mission of Poubalov — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

218 BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. Mike would have taken part in it. in spite of her tions. ; il Clara found Louise in a very nervous condition. “IT have not been so much worried about you, ¢ she said, ‘‘for I have learned to feel confidence that can take care of yourself. Still I am relieved to see safe again. My chief anxiety is about papa. lam there is something very troublesome in his bus that he is breaking down under the strain.’”’ ‘*‘T know that his business has been troubling him much of late,’’ responded Clara, ‘‘for he told me s¢ any one could see that he is much disturbed; but how he shown it to-day? I didn’t see him at breakfs know.”’ ‘‘No, he hurried to his office, as he told me lebant some important mail. I didn’t notice anything beyo usual nervous manner—that is, his recent me breakfast time, but about half an hour after you had he returned in great haste and inquired for you. It him you had gone with Paul and another man who 1 given you a clew, and that I couldn’t tell when you wo return. He seemed very much disappointed, and wal up and down the room several times. I asked him if had any news about Ivan. He answered abruptly: think so. I must see Clara.’ ”’ Startled by hope and fear at once, Clara anki chair. ‘‘Oh, dear!’’ exclaimed Louise in dismay, ‘‘don’t 7 break down now, for that isn’t all, and I am so -. you’ll need all your strength to-day.” | ‘‘T am strong,’’ said Clara, resolutely, but it was all | could do to keep her voice steady; ‘‘this day will see | end one way or another, and 1 am prepared for it.”” ‘I begged papa to tell me what he had heard, but refused to do so, almost roughly, too. ‘Tell her tov when she comes in,’ he said, and he went out again. — came back at luucheon time looking dreadfully exci His first words were an inquiry for you. chooks:.com ‘. ei ; ,eSS t : -