The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-09-07

cloak on his arm. She recognized Ar
mitage instantly. lie doned his hat
and bowed. The lights OF the house
lamps shone full upon him. and she
saw that he was laughing n little
breathlcssly.
| This Is really fortunate, Miss Clai-
borne. l owe your house an apology,
and II you Will grant me audience |
win offer II 60 you" a..
He threw the cloak over his shoulder
and famed himself with his hat
| "You are most informal person,
Mr. Armitage." said Shirley coldly.
Pm afraid I am. The most amazing
III luck follows me. had dropped Ia
to enjoy the quiet and charm OF your
garden. but the Tranquil life Is not for
Inc. There was another gentleman
equally bent on enjoying the pergola
We engaged In a pretty running match.
and because | was feeter OF foot he
grew, ugly aud tried TO put me out OF
commission"
He was still laughing. but shirley
felt that be was again trying 10 make
light of serious situation. and a fur.
ther tie Of secrecy with Armitage was
not TO her liking. As he walked boldly
TO the verands steps she stepped back
from hint.
NO. mol This 10 impossible. II win
not do at all. Mr.. Armltagc. II IL not
kind OF you 10 come here Ia this
strange fashion"
ain this way forsootb. How could |
send In my card when I was being
chased all over the estatei ] didn't
mean 10 apologize for coming aud he
laughed again with sincere mlrth
that shook her resolution to deal harsh.
~ with him. But" he weIn on. III
was the flower pot lie was mad he
cause beat him In the foot rice aud
wanted To shoot me from the wall.
and | tossed him potted geranlum-
geraniums are splendid for the purpose
and II caught him square In the head.
| have the knack Of IL. Once before
handed him n boiling pot"
1T must have hurt him." said shir.
ley. Aud he laughed at her tone that
was meant q H. severe.
Il certainly hope so. | most devout-
DERBY solicltous for my health. and N
he had really shot me there IN the gar
den II would have had an ugly look.
Armitage. the false baron. would have
been identified rs daring burglar.
shot while trying TO burglarize the
Claiborne mansion. Hut | wouldn't
take the Claiborne plate for anything.
I assure you."
II suppose you didn't think Of us--all
OF us-and the unpleasant conse-
qrerces 10 my father and brother u
something sagreeable happened here"
There was real anxiety In her tone.
and be saw that he was going too far
with his ligit treatment Of the affair.
His tone changed instantly.
'Piease forgive me would not
cause embarrassment y annoyance 20
any mcmhcr % your lam.iy FOR king
doms. I didn't know was being FOL.
lowed ! bad come here 10 see you.
That h the truth OF IT,
You mustn't try 10 see me. You
mustn't come here az all unless you
come With the knowledge OF my "a.
Their And The very fact that your llfe
Is sought 50 pcrslstently-at most un.
usual times aud In impossible places
leaves very much % explain"
Il know that. realize all that"
Then yoI must not come. You
must leave Instantly"
She walked away toward the front
door. but he followed and at the door
she turned to him again They were
In the full glare OF the door lamps.
and she saw that bis face was very
earnest and rs he began 10 speak he
hinched and shifted the cloak awk.
wardiy.
You have been hurt Why did you
not tell me thatT'
III Is nothing. The fellow had a
knife. aud he-but IT'S only tribe In
the shoulder. must be OF"
The lightning had several times
leaped sharply out OF the hills, the
wind was thrashIng the garden foliage.
ahd now the rain roared ON the tin roof,
of the veranda.
As lie spoke a carriage rolled into the
grounds and came rapidly toward the
porte eochere.
I'm or. Please believe In me-a
llttley
You must not go II you are hurt.
And you can't run away now. My "a.
Their and mother are at the door"
There was an lnstant's respite while
the carriage drew up TO the veranda
steps. She heard the stable boy run.
ming out 10 help with the horses.
You can't 20 now Come In and
wait"
There was no time for debate. She
hung open the door and swep. him
past her with a gesture through the
library aud beyond Into a smaller room
used by Judge Claiborne rs an osIlce.
Armltage sank down on leather
couch as Shirley flung the portieres TO.
gcther with a sharp rattle OF the 'roi
rings.
She walked toward the hall door as
her father and mother entered from
the veranda
"Ah. Miss Claiborne. Your father
and mother picked me up and brought
me In out of the rain. Your Storm val.
ley Is giving US taste OF its powers"
And Shirley went forward 20 greet