The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-09-03

of cities. and be walked almlcssiy
about the lighted thofoughfacs az the
capital With conscious pleasure Ia the
movement and color ~ life. He lot
his eyes follow the Washington mDun
ment's gray line starwani. aud he stop
ped TO enjoy the high poised equestrian
statue OF sherman. 60 which the starry
dusk gave something Of legendary and
old world charm
Coming out upon Pennsylvania ave,
nue. he stroilcd past the White nonsc
! and at the wide dung gates paused
while csrriagc swept by him AZ the
driveway. He saw within the grim
face OF Baron won Narhof and uncon
scionsly lifted his hat. though the am.
bassador was deep In thought aud did
not see him. Arnltage struck the
pavement smartiy with his stick as he
walked slowly on. ponderlng. but he
was conscious a moment later that
some one was lettering pcrsIstcntly Ia
his wake. Ami,age was AT once on
the alert with all his faculties sharp
ened He turned aud gradually slack.
encd his pace. and the person behind
him immediately did likewise.
The sensation ~ being followed Ia
at first annoying Then pleasant |
zcst creeps into II, and In Armitages |
case the reaction was Immediate lie |
was even amused 10 reflect that the |
shadow had chosen for his exploit |
/ s,sh a. M h.,
Gus and the best guarded spot In
America. II was not yet 10 O'clock,
but the streets were comparatively |
free Of people He slaekoned his pace
| gradually aud threw open his over
coat, for the night was warm, to give
| an impression OF ease, and when he
had reached the somber facade OF the
treasury building he paused and
studied II In the glare OF the electric
| lights as though he were a chance
traveller taking a preliminary view OF
| the sights OF the capital A man stlll
| fingered behind him, drawing nearer
now. at moment when they had the
| sidewalk comparatively free TO them
| selves The fellow was short, but OF
soldierly erectness and even In his
lettering pace lifted his feet with the
quick precision of the drilled man
Armitage walked TO the corner OF
Pennsylvania avenue and Fifteenth
street, then turned and retraced his
steps slowly past the treasury build
ing The man who had been following |
faced about and walked slowly In the
opposite direction. and Armtage,
quickening his own pace, amused him.
self by dogglng the fellows steps
closely for twenty yards, then passed
him.
When he had gained the advantage
OF few feet Armitage stopped sud
denly and spoke 10 the man IN the
casual tone he might have used in ad
dressing passing acquaintance.
MY friend" he said. there are two
policemen across the street II you
continue to follow me shall call their
attention to you"
Pardon me-
'You are watching me, and the thing
won't do"
Yes. I'm watching you, but
But the thing won't dol II you are
hired
"NeInl Neln You do me a wrong.
nr."
Then II you are not hired you are
your own master, and you serve your
self III when you take the trouble TO
follow me Now I'm going TO finish
my walk, and beg you TO keep out of
my way. This is not place where
liberties may be lnfrlnged with i'm
punity. Good evening, srr'
Armtage wheeled about sharply, and
as his face came into the full light OF
the street lamps the stranger stared al
him inlently
Armitage was fumbllng In his pock- /,
ct for coin. but this imperlinence !
caused him to change his mind Two
policemen were walking slowly toward
them, and Armltage. annoyed by the !,
whole incident, walked quickly away
lie was not wholly III ease over the :,
meeting. The fact that Chauvenet had =
so promptly put spy as well as the !
Servlan assassin on his trail qulckened :
his pulse with anger for an instant and !,
then sobered him. !.
He continued his walk and paused y
presently before an array Of books In j
d shop window. Then some one stop !
ped at his side. and he lokoed up 10 !.
find the same man he had accosted at
the treasury building lifting his hat. >
an American soldiers campaign hat !.
The fellow was an extreme blond with
Il smooth shaved. weather beaten face. !.
blue eyes and light hair !,
pardon me You are mistaken I
am not a spy But It IL wonderful; II
Is quite wonderful :,
The mans face was aligbt with dis '
covery. with an alert pleasure that
awaited recognition.
my dear fellow, you really become !,
and Armitage again thrust 4
bis hand into his trousers pocket -
should hate awfully 10 appeal TO the !,
police, but you must not crowd me too 1.
Tar" 4,
The man seemed moved by deep feel j
ng. and his eyes were bright with ey
,itemeDt His hands clasped tightly a
he railing that projected the glass
window Of the booksbop. As Armltlge N,
turned away impatlently the man ejac n
llated huskily. as though some over IA
Influence wrnng the words m
from him; ie
Don't you know mei am Oscar re-
Don't yon remember me and the great
forest. where taught you 10 shoot .,
and flshi You are q,
He bent toward Armitage With a n
ierce insistence. bis eyes blazing In bis h.
.agerness TO be understood ~
John Armitage turned again TO the III
leaned lightly upon the iron n,
railing and studied the title of book >,
lttentiyely He was silently absorbed b.
Tor q fun minute. IN which the man n,
who hsd followed him waited Taking h.
bis cue from ArniiBge's manner. BE- Al
appeared 10 be deeply Interested 10 the ed
I