The Florence daily tribune. (Florence, Colo.) 1898-1903, 1898-05-05

1t was thon late In the afternoon, and
by the time We had Thoroughly settled
In night had fallen and tho preliminary
dressing gong had sounded for dinner.
So far had seen nothing Of the person
OF whom we were In search. but did
not doubt that at the evening meal I
should become acquainted with his
whereabouts. even II did not actually
meet the man himself.
The dining room at the Mandalay is
At tho rear OF the hotel aud looks out
upon oharmingly arranged garden.
Immediately upon my entering IL a
waiter came forward and conducted me
to my place, at table near tho window.
On my left was seated portly. red
faced gentleman, who, I discovered
later, was an English merchant 1t oon-
siderable standing In the place. Tho
chair on my right was vacant, but be-
fore we had dismissed tho first course it
was taken by man who, my instinct
told me, was none other than Mr.. Eb.
bington himself. Why I should have
come to this conclusion l cannot ex-
plain, but that did think 40 and that
was right In 30 thinking discovered
minute or two later, when question
was addressed to him by IN acquaint-
ance on the other side Of the table. /
continued the course without betraying
my excitement, and when my plate was
removed sat back and casually took
stock Of him.
From Allies account and some kind
Of preconoeived potion as to what sort
OF appearance such dAstardly traitor
should present had expected to see
small. shifty eyed, viliainous typo Of
man, wearing ON his face some token Of
his guilt. But In place Of that discov-
cred stout. we'll set up. not unhand-
some man about 10 years Of age. His
complexion was somewhat Aorid; his
eyes were Of an uncertain hue. between
gray and steely blue; he had . pro-
uounced nose and q heavy. almost dou-
BILE chin. Indeed, had 1t not been for his
hesitating mode Of speech should have
been inclined to put him down for
military man.
During the progress Of tho meal
found an opportunity Of doing him somo
small service. and ON this meager intro.
duotion we fell into . desultory CONVEX.
sation. which embraced Singapore, It's
latest news from England and the pros
pects Of war between China and
Japan. When dinner was over, / rose
and followed him into the verandA, Of
fered him cheroot. which he accepted.
and seated myself In lounge chair be-
side him. We hnd not been smoking
Ave minutes before my sweetheart and
her companion passed clese to where VIC
eat, en- route to their rooms Az she
came opposite to me Allie stopped.
GOOD evening. Dr. De Normanvills. -
she said. "Isn't this hotel delightful?'
rose and uttered an appropriate re-
ply. at the same time noticing that Eb-
bington was taking thorough stock Of
her. Then After another commonplace
or two she bowed and passed ON her
way. / resumed my seat, and for nearly
Z minute we smoked In silence. Then
my companion. who had evidently BEEN
carefully thinking his speech ont said
with that peculiarly diffident utteranoe
which, a. have aid, was habituAl TO
him:
say, hope, but friend and were
having little discussion before dinner.
The proprietor tells me Miss sanderson.
the American heiress. 10 Saying In the
house. do not wish to be impairment
but might ask II the lady to whom
you have just baen speaking IL Nisa
Sanderson9''
Eyes, she 10 Miss Ssnderson," re-
piled. "You do not know her. thenf''
Never saw her before In my life, i"
was his reply. pieces Of good fortune
like that don't often occur in Singa-
pore. II they did. few Of Us would be
here very long, can assure you. But
perhaps I am talking In too familiar .
strain about your friends II 90 you
must forgive me-"
Indeed. nor I answered. Don't
trouble yourself on that SCORE. I trav-
French boat that arrived this afternoon.
From what little havs seen Of her shs
seems very pleasant and. as you have
observed, il evidently inclined to b
friendly"
"There is no doubt about the money.
I suppose?" he continued. "Since vesey
Of Hongkong was so completely taken
In by the Beautiful White Devil we
have been little skeptioal on tho sub
ject Of heiresses down this WY"
Son that point I'm afraid I cannot
inform you," said laughingly. 'She
seems, however, to travel In very good
style and evidently denies herself moth
ing. But you spoke Of the Beautiful
White Devil. am most interested In
what have heard Of that parsonage.
Are you well up In the subjectr'
"How should be9" he answered. n
thought, little quickly. "Of oourss
know what every other man In tho
east knows but no moEe. Thank good
meas abe has never done me the honor Of
abducting me a. she did tho sultan Of
Surabaya and those other Johnnies. But
with regard to Miss sanderson, won
der II shonld be considered imperti-
nent II asked You to give me the pleas
| urs Of an introduction"