Omaha daily bee., 1905-06-25

1 &-0 side. and in her lifted right hand a single
R7s.4qs1 poppy bloom held between her eyes and tho
ARHbSf&V slanting shafts Of light that struck into
Ars@z5ASgl them.
The glow OF the aowcr and Of the sun
were reflected the transparent vhoness Of her face
ana sh" looked the incarnation Of living flame;
depths
They had only just reached the outskirts Of Braxton
these two Goofroy Pagct and Basil Hope seeing this
picturesque old house standing from the roadside.
with It's open gates inviting them to enter they wandered
up the garden path and chanced upon this vision
They stood transaxcd. and in that Of
nrised admiration something TO Godfrey which had
never before touched his prosaic mind sudden
d'rstandng OF the romance that Love might bring into
Tm"s garden subtle prcscicnt infinite
Joy and sadness to ana the glory which absorb
Ing passion might bring into a commonplace life
She looked at them without speaking. and one Of them
the elder lifted his hat and told her that being stran rs
~ IN" land and tired after lous days bicycling, They
would bc glad to learn th" direction of the hotel She
pointed the path to where vcronda glnmercd through
trees saving: This is it," and they passed loav
her standing with tho rapt stiffness of attitude,
gazing toward the horizon.
Godfrey. who usually discoursod freely the Incl
dents OF the day held his and his friend respected
his silence feeling vaguely that prompted by some
stir hidden feeling They stayed not only that night
but the making the for breaking the So
quenco Of their tour the necessity for long ride to some
in the distance.
Freedom and Gcofrrey and Basil were companions for
when the friends key their apartments in
the city ucy work and their responsibilities he
hind them could take their holiday with ease devoid
OF care Three weeks moro of pleasant wandering this
golden lay before them; and the quiet of
this little scp-asdc village where neither wars nor ru
Of seemed to disturb the placid garn'rnS "i
harvest pleased them we'll But when TN" second night
passed Basil hntcd move, Gootr"ys incina
ton veered to rest and long saunt'r over the hls.
we had a hard ride yesterday BASIL he said Let
take a day on
And he gained his way usual
when he returned in the cleaning he wore a rest
less. dissatisfied loo;-ho look of who had failed IN
quest and his friend seeing decided to keep silence
longer
That was a strange girl" began whom we saw
Vipht ,at,,p hqrp
The poppy girl" murmured Geonrey absenuy.
Yes She looked If she might have a history"
What became Of her? Is she staying at the hotel?
Apparently not" GeofTroy had ont Of his rev
cry and there alerness in his face that meant
sudden resolution But she lives near mere some
where they say. though the odd thing is that no one
seems exactly where. over the hill yonder the
thought
The sexton It seemed ucongruous medium for such
a vision Of living fire the sunset had presented
You have her since, suppose? wonder who
she was
Why do you speak Of her in past tense? Whoever
she was she is still, / expect"
There was a transient of irritation in his voice,
unusual in Gcorey took life almost too pacidy as
Yes But was thinking her in the past relatively
We must be getting tomorrow, Geon. wonder what
would l., the best route to Edgcombe \aley.
There is must " he answered =" We are free
agents holiday is to b. happy -go-lucky
wen, shall explore this ne'ghhorhood little
norcr'
Gcor's good nature proof against his friend
ready compliance he amably and they skeched
rough plan Of campaign, open to amendment for the
ensuing
It in the hagy dusk of gray day with touch OF
autumn chill and dreariness in it's twilight hour that as
they brow cf the hill evening or two later
Crofrrey put his brake suddenly, and descending
with reckless precarious corner, exclaimed
There she Isl!
dsmounted leisurey, AMI rctIacing his steps
gtzcd steep hillside that led the valley, and dis
Ccrned the faint CLEAN Of something reu far below.
How do you know? he asked quietly. 1t might bt
hat but II might also be several other things
surely distinguish form features from here
d" know II is she" Geonrey repeated. unmovod. " Is
zoe, what landmarks there to guide TIA
spur the Riddle Mount winding iva,
the right Is the by this morning 1t would
be- find the spot by daylight"
lie cssayed no explanation excuse for his eviden
termination to trace this elusive phantom of girl
for the space of single moments rather did he