The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1908-10-15

had no interest for him whatever. The
valley breeze. the glory Of the blue Vir'
ginia sky, the far stretching lines OF
hills that caught and led the eye like
sea pillows. the dark green Of shrub
berry. the slope Of upland meadows and
that elusive. vanishing CLEAN Of white
before such things as these the splen-
dor OF empire and the might of armies
were unworthy Of mans desire.
The baron's next words broke harsh
~ upon his mood.
1.-The gratitude Of kings Is not thing
to be despised. You could 60 to Vienna
and begin where most men leave OF!
Strong hands are needed in Austria.
You could mike yourself the younger.
the great Stroebe"-
The mention Of his name brought
back the baron's still unanswered
question He referred to II now as be
stood before them smiling.
II have answered all your questions
but one; l shall answer that little
Utter. II you will excuse me for Just
q few minutes will 60 and get the
answer that Is. gentlemen. hope |
shall be able to bring 1t back with me. .
lie turned and ran down the ete2s
and strobe away through the long shad-
ows Of the garden. They heard the
gate click after him as he passed into
the Claiborne grounds. and then they
glanced at each other with such a
glance as may pass between two men,
bers Of peace commission sitting on
the same side of the table who will not
admit to each other that the latest
proposition Of the enemy has been In
the nature Of surprise. They did
not. however. suffer themselves to
watch Armitage. but automatically re-
filled their glasses.
Through the green walls went Armi-
tage. He had not been out of the
baron's ground before since he was
carried thence from the bungalow. and
1t was pleasant to be free once more
and able to stir without nurse at his
heels. and he swung along with his
head and shoulders erect, walking
with the confident stride of man who
has no doubt whatever OF his immedi-
Ate aim.
At the pergola he paused to recon-
hotter, finding on the bench certain
vestigia that interested him deeply-a
pink parasol. contrivance of straw,
lace and pink roses that seemed to be
a hat and June magazine. He jump
ed upon the bench where once he had
sat an exile. refugee. person dis
cussed In disagreeable terms by the
newspapers. aud studied the landscape.
Then he went on up the gradual slope
Of the meadow until he came to the
pasture wall. 1t was under the trees
beneath which Oscar had waited for
Zmai that he found her.
"They told me you wouldn't dare
venture out for week." she said, ad-
vancing toward him and giving him
her hand.
THAT was what they told me-" he
said, laughing. but l escaped from my
keepers"
"You will undoubtedly take cold
without your hatr'
Eyes; l shall undoubtedly have pneu-
monia from exposure to the Virginia
sunshine. take my chances"
"You may sit on the wall for three
minutes; then you must 60 back. l
cannot be responsible for the life of
a wounded hero"
"Pleasew He held up his hand,
That's what came to talk to you
about"
About being hero? You have tax
en- an unfair advantage. was going
to send for the latest designs in laurel
wreaths tomorrow"
She sat down beside him on the wall.
The sheep were grayish blur against |
the green. A little negro boy was
shepherding them, and they scampered
before him toward the farther end Of
the pasture. The faint and vanishing
inkle Of a bell and the boys whistle
gave emphasis to the country quiet Of
the late afternoon. They spoke rapidly
and impersonally Of his adventures in
the hills and of his illness.
Il didn't know. Miss Claiborne, that
was going to lose my mind that morn
ing at the bungalow or I should have
asked your brother to conduct you to
The conservatory while | tainted. From
what they told me must have been a
little light headed for q day or two. II
had been in my right mind I should
1ot have let Captain Dick mix up in
ny business and run the risk Of getting
lilled In nasty little row. Dear old
Dick! I made q mess Of that whole
business. ought to have telegraphed
or the Storm Springs constable In the
BEGINNING and told him that II he
wasn't careful the noble house Of
'chomburg would totter and fall"
YES. and just imagine the effect on
'ur constable Of telling him that the
ate OF an empire lay In his hands. It's
ard enough to get a man arrested who
eats bis horse. But you must 20 back