Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-28

him He crowded his things into bag, and
with the eyes Of the porter and conductor
following him suspiciously, at the next sta
ton plunged from the prosaic Pullman
straight into the unknown.
At the end OF a little platform there was
tiny point of light. Near the lantern Ohm
stead found the telegraph operator. He
questioned tactfully He did not want to
unearth any family skeleton for the benefit
OF inquisitive neighbors.
His friends. he explained. lived near the
track.
"You don't mean the old Talliaferro
house?"
On a venture Olmstead nodded.
The operator expanded at once.
ANY friends of the coloners" he be-
Olmstead felt guilty.
ITS a business matter he asserted, and
decided that he would make good his state
ment.
With a nod to the agent he started away
with a long swinging stride AS the sun
rose the mists of the early morning rolled
up the mountain side, and chung to Ohm
stead with soft, warm touch. There was a
spicy scent OF pines, and the subdued oc-
casional notes of belated birds.
Then all at once there rose a song that
was not the song Of q bird. Olmstead took
q step forward and stopped. Coming down
little path toward the road was the girl,
who two hours before, he had seen In the
sudden picture, her face convulsed with
fear
Now, with the song on her lips she SEEM
cd the incarnation of care-free youth. She
was strangely attired for early morning.
Under the folds of an enveloping cape he
caught a glimpse of a flmy gown, and as
she held her ruffies up from the wet grasses
she showed slippers. dainty and thin soled.
All at once she saw him and hesitated.
oh" she said. Evidently young men
IN correct tweeds were not OF daily occur
ence. Then she came on, all bushes, but
holding her head high.
II beg pardon"
She stopped, and he asked his question
OF direction. Her eyes-gray eyes-were
lifted startled
Colonel TalliaferroT'
Yes"
Il am going there. ] am Miss Sallie
Talliaferro You wish to see my father"
Olmstead's brain CROPPED for an excuse.
All at once he knew that It was Fate that
had brought him But that was foolish
reason to offer to a girl whom he had
known but possible sixty seconds. How
II wish to see him about book-that--we
think Of publishing-I understand his IL
brary-"
He was safe. he thought. All southern
colonies have fine libraries, the rem
nants and knowledge of one.
Yes. he is interested In books" Ohm
stead fancied a shade of GOODNESS In Miss
Sallies tone, which puzzled him until the
solution flashed through his brain. He had
announced himself book agent, and Miss
Sallie was undoubtedly descended from gem
erations of gentlemen who had neither spun
nor toiled.
He explained hastily that he was seeking
information. not selling books, and Miss
6al1ie's bushes came out again. She had
no tremors for inferior, but this was
different.
They exchanged conventionalities as they
trod the narrow path side by side In
charming confidence she explained that she
had been to a dance the night before had
danced all night and then sat talking to
her dear friend, Betty Dade, until morn
ing. Betty's brother, Don, was to take her
home, but he could not be found and in
spite of protests she had started alone The
gayety of her voice was subdued as the
story ended II couldn't wait" she trem-
bled. DO YOU ever have presentiments?
was her sudden demand.
NO" said Olmstead, as became a pracz
teal man.
IT had one last night. Something was
wrong. something"
In Olmsteads mind was a startled
thought.
You were not at home last night?''
No. indeed" said Miss Sallie's tender
voice. while Miss Sallie's limpid eyes ques-
toned.
Does Miss Dade live near the track?"
No; the Dades are way back in the
country"
Yet Miss SallIe was the girl he had seer
In the door of the old house. And looking
stratght down into the limpid eyes, hi
doubted her.
4 sudden curve had brought them clos,