Glad for the respite of at least twenty-four hours, Jane, as they
talked, watched his face, his expression, his eyes. Regardless of the
things she believed about him, he impressed her as honest and sincere.
Certainly there was no mistaking the fact that his liking for her and
his delight in her society were wholly genuine. Her heart warned her
that it was his intention to press their new-formed acquaintance into
close intimacy. Was he, she wondered, like herself, pretending
friendship merely to unmask secrets for his government? No, she could
not, she would not believe it. She felt sure that his admiration was
unfeigned. Something told her that quickly his ardor and determination
might lead her into embarrassing circumstances. He might even ask her
to marry him. For a moment she was overcome with timidity and tempted
to stop short on her new career, but there came to her the thought of
the brave Americans in the trenches, of the soldiers at sea, of the
brutal, lurking U-boats, and sternly she put aside all personal
considerations.
“You spoke of going out of town,” she said when the subject of the
matinée had been disposed of. “Don’t you find train travel rather
disagreeable these days?”
“Fortunately I’m motoring.”
“That will be nice, if you don’t have to travel too far.”
“It is quite a distance for one day, but I am used to it. I make the
trip often.”
Feeling that at least she had learned something, Jane rose to go. She
knew that both the Hoffs would be out of the way to-morrow. The
inference from his last remark was that they were going to the same
place they had gone on previous Wednesdays. That was something to
report to Mr. Fleck.
“My car is outside,” she said as they rose. “Can’t I take you home?”
“Sorry,” said her host, “but I am dining here to-night. Lieutenant
Kramer is to join me.”
“Remember me to him,” she said as he escorted her to the automobile,
driven by Dean.
A block away from the hotel she tapped on the glass, and as Dean
brought the car to a stop she climbed into the seat beside him. Only a
week ago she would have criticized any girl who rode beside the
chauffeur. In fact she had spoken disapprovingly of a girl in her own
set who made a habit of doing it, but now she never gave it a thought.
Many things in her life seemed to have assumed new aspects and values
since she had entered on a career of useful activity. In her was
rapidly developing something of her father’s ability and directness. As
she wanted to talk confidentially with Dean, she went the easiest way
about it, entirely regardless of appearances.
“Apparently you carried it off well,” he commented.
“I hope so,” she answered, coloring a little. “They’re making their
usual Wednesday motor trip.”
“He did not tell you their destination?”
“No, but Lieutenant Kramer is dining with him to-night at the
Biltmore.”
“Fine. Those things the Chief can take care of. That leaves the way
clear for us to-morrow afternoon.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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