Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1907-04-11
Copyright, 1905, by Bobbs. Merrill Col
CHAPTER ViI.-Continued.

somewhere above us was the newt
able room in which George Washing
ton had slept. The great hooded fire.
place was merry with cracking logs
Casually l 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 cur orders, and left us.
This is romance" said |. They
used to do these things hundreds of
Fears 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 | haven't
the least bit of remorse for what |
have done"
In that dark evening gown she was
very beautiful. Fer arms and shoul-
'derS were tinted like Carrara marble:
and l knew instantly that | was never
going to recover. | drew two chairs
close to the CRATE. | sat down in one
and she in the other. With a con-
tented sigh she rested her blue-slip-
pered feet on the brass fender.
MY one regret is that l haven't
any shoes. What an adventure"
ITS 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 ike this-to re-
turn home from the days work, to be
greeted warmly by o woman as beauti-
ful as this one! | sighed loudly
Moriarty came with the chicken and
ham and coffee
IF ye would like, it won't be a bit
of trouble 10 show ye 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
ciatter of silver upon porcelain. OF
q truth, both of us were hungry.
Il was simply ravenous," the girl
confessed.
And as for me, l never dreamt
|, pushing aside my plate, and drop
ping sugar into my coffee, and vainly
hunting in my pockets for a cigar,
there remains only ono mystery to
be cleared up"
And what might this mystery be-"
she asked. "The whereabouts of the
bogus Haggerty?'
The bogus Haggerty 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 go to the cellars with me, when
all the while you were at the bail on
Mrs. Hyphen-Bonds' invitation?"
She leaned on her elbows and
smiled at me humorously.
Would you Seally like to know,
Signor? Well, Nwas 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-
ghen-Bonds accidentally dropped that
invitation in my studio, few days
before she sailed for Europe | sim
ply could not resist the temptation
That is all the mystery there is"
"And they still think you were there
rightfully!"
You are no longer mystified?"
Yes; there is yet another mystery
to solve: myself" I knew it. With
out rhyme and reason, | was in love;
and without rhyme or reason. | was
glad of it..
Shall you ever be able to solve
such a mystery y?"-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 good
friends. But one does not talk of love
on eight hours acquaintance. Besides,
you would be taking advantage of nv
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
I 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 toast!"-lift-
ing her cup.
You are right" said l. 'I 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
walked the two men we had seen upon
entering The Inn. One of them gently