Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-09-19

stood before them smiling
Il have answered all your questions
but one: l shall answer thar n little
later. II you will excuse me for Just
a few minutes / will 90 and get the
nnswer-that IS. gentlemen I nope |
shall be able 10 bring il back with me
He turned and ran down the steps
and strobe away through the long shad-
ows Of the garden They heard the
gate click after him as ne passed into
the Claiborne grounds. and then they
glanced at each other with such a
glance as may pass between two mem
bers OF peace commission sitting on
the same side OF the table who will not
admit 70 each other that the latest
proposition OF the enemy has been in
the nature % a surprise They did
not, however. suffer themselves to
watch Armitage. but automatically re-
filed their glasses.
Through the green walls went Armi-
tage. He had not been out OF the
bsron's ground before since he was
carried thence from the bungalow. aud
It was pleasant TO be free once more
and able to stir without q nurse at his
head and shoulders erect. walking
with the confident stride OF a man who
has no doubt whatever OF his immedi-
ate aim
At the pergola be paused to recon
hotter. finding on the bench certain
vesugia that interested him deeply-aI
pink parasol. a contrivance OF straw.
lace and pink roses that seemed TO be
a hat and June magazine. He jump
cd upon the bench where once he had
sat an exile. a refugee. person dis
cussed in disagreeable terms by the
newspapers. and studied the landscape.
Then he went on up the gradual slope
Of the meadow until be came TO the
pasture wall. IL 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-
yancing toward him ana giving him
her hand.
THAT was what they told me-" ne
said. laughing, but 1 escaped from my
keepers"
you VIII undoubtedly take cold
without your hatr'
yes: shall undoubtedly have pneu-
monia from exposure 60 the Virginia
sunshine. I take my chances"
You may sit on the wall for three
minutes; then you must go back. Il
cannot be responsible for the life Of
wounded hero"
"Pleaser' He held up his hand
That's what ! came 70 talk to you
about"
About being n hero7 You have tax
en- an unfair advantage. was going
20 send FOR the latest designs in laure
wreaths tomorrow"
She sat down beside him on the wall
The sheep were a 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
tinkle OF n bell and the boys whistle
gave emphasis 70 the country quiet OF
the late afternoon. They spoke rapidly
and impersonally or his adventures IN
the hills and OF his illness.
Il didn't know. Miss Claiborne. that
was going 20 lose my mind that morn
ing az the bungalow or I should have
asked your brother to conduct you 10
the conservatory while I tainted. From
what they told me must have been
little light headed for a day or two. II
had been IN my right mind I should
not have let Captain Dick mix up I'm
my business and run the risk OF getting
killed in nasty little row. Dear old
Dickl ! made a mess OF that whole
business. l ought 20 have telegraphed
for the Storm Springs constable In the
beginning and told him that IL he
wasn't careful the noble house Of
Schomburg would totter and fall"
Yes. and just imagine the effect on
our constable or telling him that the
fate OF an empire lay In his hands It's
hard enough TO get man arrested who
beats his horse. But you must go back
TO your keepers You haven't your
hat
Neither have you You shan't Guido
me IN recklessness. I inspected your
hat as I came through the pergola.
liked II immensely. came near SELF
ing IL as spoil OF war-the loot OF the
pergolav'
There would be cause for another
war. j have rarely liked any hat so
much. But the baron Will be after you
I'm "A moment can't be responsible
for you"
The baron annoys me. He has
given me lot OF worry. And that's
what i have come TO ask you about"
Then l should say that you oughtn't
to quarrel with a dear old man ike
Baron Won Marhof., Besides. he's your
uncle"
mo, mol I don't want him TO be my
unclel / don't need any uncleP'
He glanced about with an anxiety
that made her laugh
Il understand perfectly Ny father
told me that the events OF April in
these hills were not TO be mentioned.
But don't worry. The sheep won't tell
and ] won't"
He was silent for a moment as he
thought out the words OF what he
wished to say to her. Tho sun was
dfnufno fnt ~