The Mission of Poubalov — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

86 . CORROBORATIVE DETAIL. Bowker; ‘‘the police there are on the lookout for Strobel, © and if we hear anything I will let you know.”’ Louise tucked her arm affectionately within Clara’ Ss, and asked: ) ‘‘Where now, dear?’’ ‘*We will go to Mrs. White’s,’’ responded Clara, drear-— ily. Her faith was yet undisturbed, but the mystery seemed the darker, for if the wily Russian had had to do with Ivan’s departure, how much harder it would be to find him in New York than in Boston! Then, had he gone voluntarily, might it not be possible that he did not wish — her to search for him? Surely he would write if he could. With that thought, and a renewed conviction that lyvan was somehow constrained of his liberty, she arrived at Mrs. White’s house. ‘I’m so glad to see you,’’ cried the landlady, ‘‘with all this talk in the papers. I have heard from Lizzie. See! Here is the letter.”’ She handed a sheet of paper to Clara. It was not a long letter, but what little there was was rambling in style. It was dated from Second Avenue, New York, and stated — that the writer had found a new home. | ‘*T should be happy,’’ she wrote, ‘‘if it wasn’t for the way I had to go. But there wasn’t any other way. After a while [ shall tell you all about it.’’ Clara ’s quick perceptions told her that any person with the elopement explanation in his head would see a signifi- cance in these words that could not fail to reflect unfavor- ably upon Ivan. ‘‘Mrs. White,’’ she said tremulously, “‘you won’t show this letter to reporters, or detectives, or anybody else, will you?”’ ape a ao Ore F estat Yili j Ecomichook