Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/238



WO days passed without a word of hope for John. On the third morning after his dismissal by Stella he sat pale and listless at breakfast, scarcely tasting his food, while Susie watched his drawn face with keen sympathetic eyes.

An hour later she entered his office.

"You promised to let me help you," she said quietly. "I have come."

He looked at her a moment and wondered why he had never before seen her striking beauty. A tall figure with exquisite sylph like lines, a serene and perfectly moulded face with straight, thoughtful brows shadowing the tenderest gray-blue eyes, and a crown of luxuriant auburn blonde hair.

He caught at once the sincere sympathy of her mood, as he pressed her hand.

"I never saw you so beautiful, Miss Susie, or your face so sweet and restful."

She blushed and looked out the window.

"I can't tell you how I thank you for coming. I think we must have been brother and sister in some other world before this."