Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-08-22

4 - the mantel; a portfolio
and travellers writing
materials distributed about table pro.
duced for the purpose. and additions
10 the meager bookshelf "a line OF
Baedekcrs. . pocket atlas. a compre
hensive American railway guide. seg
eral volumes Of German and French
poetry-and the place was not so bad
Armitage slept for an hour after =
simple luncheon had been prepared by
Oscar. studied his letters and cable
gramS-made. in fact. some notes in
regard 10 them and wrote replies
Then NJ 4 o'clock he told oscar 10 sad
die the horses.
1T is spring. and in April a mans
blood VIII not be quiet We shall &C
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 ia 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 bun gsun
tleted hand went 10 his hat brim when
ever Armitage addressed him.
They sought again the spot whence
Armitage had nrst looked down upon
Storm valley. and he opened his pocket
map, the better 20 clarity bis ideas OF
the region.
I'VE shall 60 down into the valley.
Oscar" he said. and thereafter Il was
he that led
They struck presently into an old
road that had been an early highway
across the mouotai1s Above aud be
low the forest hung gloomily. and pass
ing clouds darkened the slopes and Oc-
casionaIly spilled rain. Armitage drew
or bis cloak. and Oscar enveloped him
self In a slicker as they rode through
. sharp shower. At a lower Level they
came into fair weather again and.
crossing a bridge. rode down into
Storm valley. The road az once bore
marks OF care. and they passed mum
Der OF traps that spoke Enthusiastically OF
cities and riders whose mounts knew
well the bride paths OF Central park.
The hotel loomed massively before
them and beyond were handsome es.
tates and ambitious mansions scat.
tered through the valley and on the
lower slopes.
Armitage paused IN q clump OF trees
and dismounted.
You win stay here until come
back. And remember that we don't
know any one. and at our time OF life.
oscar. one should be wary or making
new acqusintances"
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 bis
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 q telegraph In
| strument that seemed at once 10 bring
him into contact with the remote
| world BE filed his kilograms and
his riding crop under his arm. The
gay banter and laughter OF a group OF
young men and women just returned
from a drive gave him touch or heart
ache. for there was a girl somewhere
IN the valley whom he had followed
across the sea. and these people were
| OF her own world-they undoubtedly
knew her: very likely she came often
to this huge caravansary and mingled
with them.
At the entrance he passed Baron Won
Marhof. the Austrian ambassador.
who. by reason OF the death OF his roy
al chief. had taken a cottage at the
| Springs 10 emphasize his abstention
from the life OF the capital. The am.
] bassador lifted his eyes and bowed 10
Armitage, as be bowed to q great
| many young men whose names he
never remembered; but, oddly enough
the baron paused. stared after Armi.
| tage for a moment, then shook his
head and walked on with knit brows.
Armitage had lifted his hat and passed
| out. tapping his leg with his crop.
He walked toward the private houses
that lay scattered over the valley and
along the gradual slope OF the hills as
though carelessly dung from a dice
box Many OF the places were hand.
some estates. with imposing houses set
amid beautiful gardens. Half q mile
from the hotel he stopped a passing
negro TO ask who owned a large house
that stood we'll back from the road
The man answered. He seemed anx.
ious TO impart further Information
and Armitage awaited himself OF the
opportunity.
How near Is Judge Claiborne's
placer he asked.
The man pointed. u was the uext
house on the righthsnd side. and Ar.
mitage smiled to himself and strolled
on