The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-02-01

noon-the nick OF time. ehg. He spoke
fast. Ms fingers searching busily. DC
cupation OF any kind came as boon.
LOCcr slowly followed him, and as
the b,x was brought TO li-ht he leaned
forward lnecrestedly
"As l toll you. one is the copy of an
old a.. net ring. the other a s@lin band
IA plain gold AM Ike a wedding
ring" Chilcote LAUGHED as he placed
the four rings side by side on his
palm. al could think of nothing else
that would he wide and not Ostenta.
tious. You know how l detest dis
play"
Loder touched the rings. You have
good taste" he said. Lets see IL
they serve their purpose" He picked
them up and carried them to the lamp.
Chilcote followed him. THAT was
an ugly wound" he said, his curiosity
, reawakening as Loder extended his
finger. How did you come by itT'
The other smiled ITS a memento,"
be said
"Of bravery
mo: quite the reverse" He looked
again at his hand, then glanced back
at Chllcote NO." he repeated. with
an unusual impulse of confidence. 1T
serves to remind me that am not ex-
empt-that / have been fooled like
other men,"
THAT implies a woman
Yes" Again Loder looked at the
scar on his finger. Il seldom recall the
thing. It's so absolutely past But
rather like to remember 1t tonight.
rather want you to know that I've been
through the fire. It's a sort of guaran-
tee"
Chilcote made a hasty gesture, but
the other interrupted it.
"Oh, know you trust me. But you're
giving me a risky post. l want you to
see that women are out Of my line
quite out Of it,
But, my dear chap
Loder went on without needing.
This thing happened eight years ago
at Santasalare," he said, "a little place
between Luna and Pistoria-a mere
handful of houses wedged between two
hills; regular relic Of old italy crum-
bling away under flowers and sunshine,
with nothing to suggest the present
, century except the occasional passing
Of train round the base of one OF the
hills. had literally stumbled upon the
place on a long tramp south from
Switzerland and had been tempted into
stay at the little inn. The night after
nv arrival something unusual occur
red. There was an accident to the
train at the point where it skirted the
village.
There was a small excitement. All
the inhabitants were anxious to help,
and / took my share. AS a matter OF
fact, the smash was not disastrous;
the passengers were hurt and fright
ened, but nobody was killed"
He paused and looked at his compan-
lon: but, seeing him interested, went
on.
among these passengers was an
English lady. OF all concerned in the
business, she was the least upset. When
/ came upon her she was sitting on the
shattered door Of one Of the carriages
calmly arranging her hat. On seeing
me she looked up with the most charm
ing smile imaginable.
"T have just been waiting for some
body like you, she said. My stupid
maid has got herself smashed up some
where in the second class carriages,
and | have nobody to help me find my
dog
"Of course that first speech ought to
have enlightened me, but 1t didn't l
only saw the smile and heard the voice.
| knew nothing of whether they were
deep or shallow So found the maid
and found the dog. The first expressed
gratitude. the other didn't. | extricat'
ed him with enormous difficulty from
the wreck Of the luggage van. and this
was how he marked his appreciation"
He held out his hand and nodded to-
ward the scar.
Chlcote glanced up. 80 that's the
explanation"
Eyes. | tried to conceal the thing
when l restored the dog, but was
bleeding abomInably and failed.
Then the whole business was changed.
1t was l who needed seeing to, my new
friend insisted; I who should be looked
after and not she. She forgot the dog
In the newer interest of my wounded
finger. The maid, who was practically
unhurt, was sent on to engage rooms at
the little inn, and she and | followed
slowly.
THAT walk impressed me. There was
an attractive mistiness of atmosphere
In the warm night sensation more
than attractive in being made much OF
by woman of ones own class and
country after FIVE years wandering"
He laughed with touch of irony.
But won't take up your time with
details You know the progress of an
ordinary love affair Throw In few
more flowers and little more sunshine
than is usual, man who Is practically
a hermit and woman who knows the
world by heart and you have the whole
thing.
ucho tc.totad on otn wing In SantaSa-