The Glenwood post., 1907-04-13
NSopN iis"t' Avn "S ~ ''
CHAPTER ViI.-Continued.

| able room in which George Washing
ton had slept The great hooded fire
| place was merry with cracking logs
| Casually | observed that we were not
alone. Over yonder. in a shadowed
| corner sat two men. very well bun
died up, and, to all appearances, fast
| asleep. Moriarty lighted four
branched candelabrum and showed us
the way to the little private dining
room, took our orders, and left us.
This is romance" said I. They
! used to do these things hundreds of
years ago, and everybody had good
time"
1T is now all very wicked and i'm
proper" murmured the girl, laying
aside her domino for the first time:
''but delightful, | now find l haven't
the least bit of remorse for what
| have done"
In that dark evening gown she was
| very beautiful. Her arms and shoul-
ders We're tinted like Carrara marble
and l knew instantly that | was never
going to recover. | drew two chairs
close to the CRATE. l sat down in one
and she in the other. With a con
| tented sigh she rested her bue-slp-
pered feet on the brass fender,
My one regret is that I haven't
any shoes. What an adventure"
It's fine" Two hours in the soci-
ETY. of this enchanting creature, 1t
was almost too good to be true All,
if it might always be like this-to re-
turn home from the days work, to be
greeted warmly by a woman as beauti-
full as this one, sighed loudly.
Moriarty came with the chicken and
ham and coffee.
IF ye would like, it won't be bit
of trouble to show We George Wash
ington's room; or"-with inimitable
Irish drollery-'I can tell ye that he
dined in this very room"
That will serve" smiled the girl;
and Moriarty bowed himself out.
His departure was followed by the
clatter of silver upon porcelain OF
a truth, both of us were hungry.
II was simply ravenous, the girl
confessed.
And as for me. l never dreamt
l could be so unromantic Now" said
| I, pushing aside my plate. and drop
ping sugar into my coffee. and veinfy
hunting in my pockets for G gar,
there remains only one mystery to
be cleared up"
And what might this mystery "e?"
she asked. THE whereabouts O. the
bogus Haggerty?"
The bogus Ifaggerty will never
cross our paths again. He has skipped
| by the light of the moon. No, that's
not the mystery. Why did you tell
me you were an impostor; why did
You 90 to the cellars with me. when
= the while you were at the ball on
Hyphen-Bonds' invitation"
she leaned on her elbows and
smiled at me humorously.
Would you really like to know.
Signor? Well, | was an impostor"
She sat with her back to the fire, and
weird halo of light seemed to sur
round her and frame her. Mrs Hy-
phen-Bonds accidentally dropped that
invitation in my studio, a few lays
before she sailed for Europe. | sim
ply could not resist the tempta ion.
That is all the mystery there is"
And they still think you were there
rightfully."
You are no longer mystifiedi
Yes there is yet another mybtery
to solve: myself" | knew it. With
out rhyme and reason, | was in love;
and without rhyme or reason, was
glad of it,
hln 1al aI
such a mystey?"- -quizzically.
1T all depends upon you"
Mr.. Comstalk, you will not mar
the exquisite humor of our adventure
by causing me annoyance. | am sure
that some day we shall be very xood
friends. But one does not talk Of love
on eight hours acquaintance. BeHides.
you would be taking advantage of my
helplessness; for | really depend upon
you to see me safe back to New York.
1t is only the romance, the adventure;
and such moonlight nights often SUI
perinduce sentimentality. What do
you know of me? Nothing What do
know of you? Nothing, save that
there is a kindred spirit which is al
ways likely to lead us into trouble.
Down in your heart you know you are
only temporarily affected by moon
shine. Come, make me a toast,"-llft-
ing her cup.
You are right" said l. q am, a
gentleman. But it was only consist
ent that, having been the fool, |
should now play the ass. Here's,"
and | held up my cup.
But neither of us drank; there
wasn't time.
For the door opened quietly, and in
= ,lked the two men we had seen upon
aItering the Inn. One of them gently