Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1908-09-11

materials distributed about a table pro
duced for the purpose, and additions
TO the meager bookshelf "a line OF
Baedekers, a pocket atlas, a compre
hensive American railway guide, sew
eral volumes of German and Frencl
poetry-and the place was not so bad
Armitage slept for an hour after 4
simple luncheon had been prepared by
Oscar. studied his letters and cable
grams-made. in fact, some notes II
regard to them and wrote replies
Then at / O'Clock he told Oscar to sad
die the horses.
1T is spring. and in April mans
blood will not be quiet We shall g
forth and taste the air"
He had studied the map Of Lamar
county with care and led the way out
Of his own preserve by the road over
which they had entered in the morn
ing. Oscar and his horses were a
credit to the training of the American
army and would have passed inspec-
ton anywhere. Armitage watched his
adjutant with approval. The man
served without question. and, quicker
OF wit than of speech. his buff gaun-
tleted hand went to his hat brim when
ever Armitage addressed him.
They sought again the spot whence
Armitage had first looked down upon
Storm valley. and he opened his pocket
map. the better to clarity his ideas Of
the region
1--WE shall go down into the valley,
Oscar" he said. and thereafter it was
ne that led.
They struck presently into an old
road that had been an early highway
across the mountains. Above and be-
low the forest hung gloomily, and pass
ing clouds darkened the slopes and Oc-
casionally spilled rain. Armitage drew
on his cloak. and Oscar enYeloped him
self in a slicker as they rode through
a sharp shower. At a lower level they
came into fair weather again and,
crossing a bridge, rode down into
Storm valley. The road at once bore
marks Of care, and they passed a num-
Der of traps that spoke Enthusiastically of
cities and riders whose mounts knew
well the bride paths of Central park.
The hotel doomed massiyely before
them and beyond were handsome es-
tates and ambitious mansions scat
tered through the valley and on the
lower slopes.
Armitage paused in cump of trees
and dismOunted.
You will stay here until I come
back. And remember that we don't
know any one. and at our time of life
Oscar one should be wary Of making
new acquaintance"
He tossed his cloak over the saddle
and walked toward the inn The size |
OF the place and the great number of /
people going and coming surprised /
him. but in the numbers he saw his /
own security. and he walked boldly up |
the steps of the main hotel entrance .
He stepped into the long corridor of |
the inn. where many people lOunged
about and heard with keen satisfaction
and relief the click Of a telegraph in
strument that seemed at once to bring
him into contact with the remote
world. He filed his kilograms and
walked the length of the broad hall,
his riding crop under his arm. The
gay banter and laughter Of group of
young men and women just returned
from a drive gave him a touch Of heart
ache. for there was a girl somewhere
n the valley whom he had followed
lcross the sea, and these people were
If her own world-they undoubtedly
,new her: very likely she came often
0 this huge caravansary and mingled
With them.
At the entrance he passed Baron Won
iarhof, the Austrian ambassador,
Who, by reason Of the death of his roy
! chief. had taken a cottage at the
prings to emphasize his abstention
rom the life of the capital The am
assador lifted his eyes and bowed to
rmitage, as he bowed to a great
lany young men whose names he I
ever remembered; but. oddly enough, I
lie baron paused, stared after Armi- [
ge for a moment. then shook his
sad and walked on with knit brows.
rmitage had lifted his hat and passed a
It, tapping his leg with his crop. t
He walked toward the private houses b
at lay scattered over the valley and t
1ng the gradual slope of the hills as f,
ough carelessly flung from a dice n
K. Many Of the places were hand l
ne estates, with imposing houses set "
lid beautiful gardens. Half mile o
m the hotel he stopped passing t
yro to ask who owned large house e.
t stood we'll back from the road. 81
2 man answered. He seemed anx- /
$ to impart further information, b
Armitage awaited himself Of the Il
low near is Judge Claiborne's IN
err he asked.
he man pointed 1t was the next 70
Sc on the righthand side, and Ar, y