“There must be something I can do,” she spoke with a flash of her usual energy, then laid her hand on Mrs. Welcome’s arm.
“Harvey Spencer is here,” she said. “There he is trying to get through the crowd to us now. Perhaps he can help you to persuade your daughter to go away with you.”
Elsie Welcome looked at Mary Randall, who was destined never to forget the pitiful revelation of the girl’s dark eyes. Mary Randall read that despair of the lost mingled with woman’s intense clinging to the man she has chosen,—her strange stubborn clinging, when, entangled, she hears an echo of happier and purer love.
“How dare you meddle in people’s affairs like this and put us into such dreadful trouble?” Elsie asked of the one who would help her. Then to her mother, pulling away from her longing clasp, “You understand that at a time like this my place is with my husband.”
Elsie doubled under the arms which would have detained her and ran out of the cafe.
“Go to Millville, Mrs. Welcome, back to your old home, as soon you can. Let me look after Elsie. Go to this boarding-house (handing her a card). Go there with Patience tonight, and I will send you some money tomorrow.” Miss Randall spoke quickly, and before Mrs. Welcome realized it, had hurried in pursuit of Elsie.
But Elsie Welcome had disappeared.
Mary Randall found herself standing, as all who work for those who sin and suffer must often stand, baffled by evil’s resistance. Saddened by somewhat of a divine sadness, Mary went across to the rendezvous where her faithful Anna awaited her and left the field.
Harvey Spencer came to her downtown office early next day. He found her surrounded by her strongest allies, already in conference as to the best means of pursuing their crusade which had aroused Chicago with the startling news of The Raid of Mary Randall on the Cafe Sinister, headlined in the morning newspapers.
Harvey Spencer had taken Mrs. Welcome to the boarding-house designated by Miss Randall where she was joined by Patience—and of Patience you shall know presently. The remainder of the night, or most of it, he spent trying to learn what had become of Elsie.