The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-04-19
With Drawings by Harrison Fisher
Copyright, 1905. by Bobbs-Merrill Coz
CHAPTER VlI.-Continued.

room. 1t was roomy and quaint, and
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 / observed that we were not
alone. Over yonder, in Swallowed
corner, sat two men, very well bun
died UP, and, to all appearances, fast
asleep. Moriarty lighted a 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"
at Is now all very wicked and i'm
proper" murmured the girl, laying
aside her domino for the first time;
"but delightful! l now find | haven't
the least bit of remorse for what ]
have DONE"
In that dark evening gown she was
very beautiful. Her arms and Shout
ders were tinted like Carrara marble;
and 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 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!"
ssVt,, Gpnt, rru,n hN,,rc IL, Tho cnni.
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 woman as beauti-
full as this one! sighed loudly.
Moriarty came with the chicken and
ham and coffee.
'If We 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
etatter of silver upon porcelain OF
D truth, both of us were hungry.
81 was simply ravenous," the girl
confessed.
And as for me, l never dreamt
l could be so unromantic. Now" said
!, pushing aside my plate, and drop
ping sugar into my coffee, and vainly
hunting in my pockets for cigar,
there remains only one 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 ball on
Mrs Hyphen-Bonds invitation
She leaned Oh 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
a weird halo of light seemed to sur
round her and frame her. Mrs Hy-
phen-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 we're there
rightfully!"
You are no longer mystified?'
Yes; there is yet another mystery
to solve; myself" | knew it. With
cut rhyme and reason. was in love;
and without rhyme or reason, was
glad OF 1t.
Shall you ever be able TO solye |
such mystery? quizzically.
1T all depends upon you"
Mr.. Comstalk, you will not mar
the exquisite humor of our adventure
by causing me annoyance: l am sure
that some day we shall be very good
friends. But one does not talk of love
sn eight hours acquaintance. Besides, |
yeu would be taking advantage Of my
helplessness; for really depend upon
ysu to see me safe back to New York. |
1t is only the romance, the adventure;
and such moonlight nights often SUI
perinduse sentimentality. What do |
yer knew OF me? Nothing What do |
/ know Of you? Nothing, save that |
there Is kindred spirit which is al |
ways likely TO lead us into trouble.
Down In you- heart you know you are
only temporarily affected by moon
shine. Come, make me a toastir-lift-
ing her cup. /
: You are right said J. Il am
gentleman. But II was only consist. |
ent that, having been the. fool, |
Should now play the ass Here'si"
and i held up my cup
But neither Of us drank; there |
wasn't time.
Fer the door opened quietly, and in
walked the two men we had seen upon |
enteriBs the Inn. One Of tbera gently
Hearts and Masks