The Washington times., 1906-09-02

have done IL. And do you mean 20
say I must now act up 70 "a record OF
that lgind-and with a strange woman?
She-she won't permit it-Oh, you
must be mistalIen How do you know
this?"
Madame lie Claire blushed. and
seemed 10 want words for reply
Amid0n repeated the question.
Il want 10 know If you are sure,
said he. ITO make a mistake IN that
direction would be worse than the
other you know"
.Ah. would it2" said Clara; Il didn't
know that!"
"Oh' think we may take that for
granted"
You really don't get "A grain OF good
from your Brassfeld experience" said
she. "or you'd know better Here
ensued a long silence. during which
Amidon appeared 10 be bordering on
her extraordinary remark.
But. as 20 tho fact" urged he at
last. chow can YOU guess out any such
state OF things as you drs-ribc?"
Can't YOU guess a little bit more
once IN a while? I know abJut II. from
Mr.. Brassdeld's trcatmeut-of-of me
Elizabeth! on. don't YOU see that !
had 10 do II, so as 70 know. and tell
YOU? Oh. ] wish I had never. never
begun this! I do. do"'
A parlor car has no conveniences
whatever or heruics. Mysteries or
weeping. so miserably are our Ameri-
can railways managed; and Clara
winked back into her eyes the tears
which filled them, ana AmidOn locked
at her tenderly.
Did 7, really" said he eonrusedly-
"to your"
.Arh'm." said Madame Ie Claire,
noddug nmrmatively; y couldn't stop
youl"
at must have been drsadful-for
you" said Amidon.
Awful" said she. but the work
had 20 be done. you know"
"Oh II II were you. now" said he.
laying his hands on hers, Il could
do IT. II YOU didn't mind. II should
like TO- you know"
Now see here" said Clara; III
you're pracuclng this as sort OF re-
hearsaI you must go further and
faster than a public place Ike this al
with what has passed II YOU mean
what you say Lex me remind YOU THAI
you're engaged"
Mr.. Amid0n swore softly, but sin
cerely. Somehow. the pitiful case Of
the girl who had written that letter
with which he had fallen In love.
had less and less Of appeal TO him
as the DAYS drIfted by. and now.
sured himself stiIl impeUed him TO
her side. he confessed that this other
girl with the variegated hair and
eyes. and the power 70 annihilate and
restore him, the occulust with the
thrilling gaze and the strong. supple
figure, was calling more and more 20
the aboriginal man within him. So,
while he took EIzabeth'e letters from
his pocket and read them. 20 get. II
possible some new light on her char
acJef, II was Clara'S face that his eyes
sought, as he glanced over the top OF
the sheet. All, FlOrian. with one girls
l0ve-letter in your hands. and the face
OF another held I'm that avid gaze. can
you be the bashful bachelor
who could not discuss the new style
of ladies' figures with Mrs Hunter!
And as we thus moralize. the train
sweeps on and on. and into Bellevale.
where Judge Blodgett waits upon The
platform for our arrival.
The judge stood by the steps TO seize
upon Amidou as he alighted. That
gentleman and Nine. le Claire. how
ever, perverseIy got of al the other
end Of the car. AS they walked down
the Platform. FlOTian met his first
test. IN the salutatlon OF a young
woman I'm q taller .-.ale gown, who
nodded and smiled 20 him from a
smart trap at a short distance from
the station. where she seemed 70 be
waiting for some one.
ANY baggage. Mr.. Brassfeld2'' said
a drayman.
yes" said Amidon; take the
checks"
do these 90 TO the hotel. OF -
The man waited for directions.
Il don't-that is" said the poor fell
low. II really Just wait a min
ute Judge" this en- a whisper 70 his
friend. who had reached his side.
'this is terrible. Where do I want TO
go2-and for the love of heaven,
where does this hound take my lug
gage2'
Your lodgings at the Bellevale
House, returned the judge.
ITO my lodgings at the Bellevale
House ANNOUNCED Amidon.
And say" said the judge, don't
look that way; but the young woman
in the one-horse trap across the way
is your intended"
NO" said AmidOn. 7 lifted my hat
to her-she nodded 10 ne, YOU know"
The dewitt said the judge: III bet
you didn't put any more warmth than
a clam I'm your manner Well. you'll
have To go over. aud she'll take you
up town, ] suppose. Don't stay long
with her If YOU can help il. and come
10 me at the hotel as soon as You
can Shes been driving over to see
who got of every New York train
ever since I came Go 10 her. and may
the Lord be merciful 90 youi Here are
those notes. If you think they'll help
you auy-Ive added some 10 EN- since
I got down here"
AmidOn waved a cOutemptuOus re-
lection OF the notes, and. cIsting a
despairing glance at Madame le Claire.
walked over toward his fate. He could
have envied the lot Of the bull-hgAter
advancing int0 the fearful radius Of
action of a pair of CORY horns. He
would have gladly changed places with
the gladiator who hears the guashiEg