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


brourbt ont some 4 country store, post
te.+,-s - 80 Office and TIM COM
papers. which he
delivered 20 him in silence.
This is Lamar postoa3cc." nnnounc
ell oscar.
There must be some mail here for
me-" said Armitage.
Oscar handed him several long en-
velopes-they bore the name OF the
Bronx Loan and Trust company. whose
office In New York was his permanent
address. and he opened and read a
number OF letters and ca blegrams that
had been forwarded Their contents
evidently gave him satisfaction. FOR he
whistled cheerfully as be thrust them
into his pocket
You keep IN touch with the world.
do you. Oscar7 II IS commendable."
II take a Washington paper. Il re-
leves the monotoRy. and ! can see
where the regiments are moving and
whether my old captain r. yet out OF
the hospital and what happened 70 my
lieutenant IN his court martial about
the pay accounts. One must observe
the worid-yes. At the postohice back
there"-he jerked his head 20 Indicate
1T IS against the law 90 sell whisky IN
a postofice. so that storekeeper with
the red nose and small yellow eyes
keeps It in a brown jug IN the back
room"
''To be sure" laughed Armitage. Il
hope It is a good article"
1T Is vile" replied Oscar. His
brother makes Il up in the hills. aud
IL r. as strong rs wood lye."
''Atoonsbsnel I have heard or f. We
must have some for rainy days"
II was a new world 20 John Armi-
tage. AID HIS heart was as light as the
morning air as he followed Oscar along
the rudy mountain road. He was in
Virginia. and somewhere on this soil.
perhaps IN some valley like the one
through which he rode. Shirley Clai.
borne had gazed upon blue distances.
with ridge rising against ridge. and
dark pine covered slopes Ike these he
saw Tor the first time. Tie had left his
Affairs IN Washington IN a sorry mud
die. but he faced the new day with a
buoyant spirit and did not trouble him
self 10 look very FAR ahead. He had a
definite business before him. His ca
Diagrams we're reassuring on that
point The fact that he was IA a sense
a fugitive did not trouble him In the
least. lie had no intention or allowing
Jules Chauvenet's asSassins 10 Kill him
OF OF being locked up In Washington
Jail as the false Baron Won KisSel II
ne admitted that he was not John Ar
mitage II would be difficult 10 prove
that he was anybody elsa fact touch
Ing human testimony which Jules
Chauvenet probably knew perfectly
we'll
On the whole. he was satisfied that
he had followed the wisest course thus
far. The broad panorama OF the morn
ing hills communicated TO his spirit a
growing citation. He began singing in
German a ballad that recited the sor-
rows OF a pale maiden prisoner in
dark tower on the Rhine. whence her
true knight rescued her after many
and fearsome adventures. On the last
stave he ceased abruptly. and an ex-
clamation OF wonder broke from him.
They had been riding along a narrow
trail that Afforded, as Oscar said. a
short cut across long timbered ridge
that lay between them and Armitag e $
property. The path was rough and
steep. and the low hanging pine boughs
and heavy underbrush increased the
difficulties OF ascent Straining to the
top. a new valley. hidden until now.
was disclosed in long and beautiful
vistas
Armitage dropped the reins upon the
neck OF his painting horse.
1T Is a fine valley-yesT' asked Os-
car.
1T is a possession worthy OF the no
olest godsr" replied Armitage. There
is a white building with colonnades
away over there. Is IL the house OF
the reigniDg deityr
1T is not. sir" answered Oscar. who
spoke English with a kind OF logged
precision. giving equal value to all
words. 1T Is a vast hotel where the
rich spend much money. That place at
the foot OF the Hillside you see PIT is
there they play a foolish game with
sticks and little balls
'Golff Is It possibleP'
There is no doubt OF II, sir. have
seen the fools myself-men and wom-
en-. The place Is called Storm valley"
Armitage slapped his thigh sharply.
so that his horse started.
''Yes; you are probably right. oscar.
have heard OF the place. And those
houses that lie beyond there in the val
ley belong 10 gentlemen Of taste and
leisure who drink the waters aud ride
horses and play the foolish game you
describe with little white balls
e! could not tell IL better" responded
Oscar. who had dlsmounted. like
good trooper. 10 rest his horse.
And our place-is 10 below there"