Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-02

l l place."
 I "L'Hotel PAthenee," she answered and at once resumed her conversation with Duncombe. l But somehow the thread was broken. | Duncombe found himself watching the little gray man opposite, who ate and drank so sparingly, who talked only when he was spoken to and yet who seemed to be taking keen but covert interest in everything that went on about him. Her father! There was DO likeness-no shadow of a likeness. Yet Duncombe felt almost personal inter- est in him. They would know one an other better some day, he felt.
 ''So you have been in Paris lately" he asked her suddenly.
 She nodded. For few days"
 T arrived from there barely week ago." he remarked.
 T hate the placer she answered. .'Talk of something else"
 And he obeyed.
 The second interruption came from Andrew. During a momentary Hull in the conversation they heard his firm, clear voice talking.
 My time was up yesterday, but find so much to interest me down here that think I shall stay on for few more days if my host remains as hos pitable as ever"
 ''So much to interest him." she mur- mured. Are not all places the same to the blind? What does he mean?"
 ''He is not really blind." Duncombe answered, lowering his voice. "He can see things very dimly. The doctor has told him that if he wears those glasses for few more months he may be able to preserve some measure of eyesight Poor chapw
 ''He does not attract me, your friend,' she said little coldly. "What can he find to interest him so much here? Do you see how he keeps his head turned this way? It is almost as though he wished to listen to what we were saying"
 "There is a sort of reason for that" Duncombe answered. Shall I explain it?'
 "Dow
 Pelham lives, as think told you, in small country house near Raynes- ham," Duncombe began. "The hall in his village was occupied by young mana boy, really-and his sister. Early in the year the boy, who had never been abroad, thought that he would like to travel little in Europe. He wandered about some time in Ger many and Austria and was coming home by Paris. Suddenly all letters from him ceased. He did not return. He did not write He drew no money from his letter of credit. He simply disappeared"
 The girl was proceeding tranquilly with her dinner The story so far did not seem to interest her.
 His sister, who went over to Paris to meet him. found herself quite alone there, and we suppose that she devot- ed herself to searching for him. And then, curiously enough, she, too, disap- peared Letters from her suddenly ceased. No one knew what had be- come of her"
 She looked at him with faint smile.
 "Now," she said, "your story Is be- coming interesting. Do go on. I want to know where you and MT. Pelham come in"
 "Pelham, think" he continued gravely, twas their oldest friend. He sent for me. We were old college chums, and I went This trouble with his eyes had only just come on, and he was practically helpless-much more helpless than the ordinary blind per son, because 1t was all new to him. This boy and girl were hls old and dear friends. He was longing to be off to Paris to search for shem him self, and yet he knew that so far as he was concerned 1t would be simply wasted time. He showed me the girls photograph"
 "WellY
 "I went in his place"
 And did you find either of themr
 "No."
 q wonder" she said, "why you have told me this storyf"
 ''I am going to tell you why" he an- swered. Because when Pelham heard you laugh last night he was like madman. He believed that it was the voice of Phyllis Poynton. And IT. when saw you. also felt that mira cles were at hand. Look herer'
 He drew a photograph from his pocket and showed it to her. She look ed at it long and earnestly.
 "Yes," she admitted, there is a like ness. It is like what I might have been-years ago. But will you tell me something?"
 "0f coursev'
 'why do you carry the picture of that girl about with you?"
 He leaned toward her, and at that moment Lady Runton rose from her place.
 Tn the winter garden afterward." he whispered. You have asked me the very question that I wanted to an- swerT"
 CHAPTER XVII. ~HERE was something strange
 nza-