Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-08-15


NO; Il was nothing. Thomas-noth-
ing az ALL" and she mounted and turn
ell toward home.
Her heart was still pounding with
excitement and she walked her horse
TO gain compOsure. Twice. in clrcum-
stances most unusual and disquieting
she had Witnessed an attack on John
Armitage by an unknown enemy. She
recalled now a certain pathos OF his
figure as she first saw him leaning
against the tree watching the tur
bulent little stream. and she was i'm
patient 10 find how her sympathy went
out 60 him. IL made no difference who
John Armitage was. his enemy was q
coward. and the horror Of such n men
ace TO a mans life appalled, her She
passed mounted policeman. who rec
Oguizcd her and raised his hand IN
salute but the idea OF reporting the
strange affair Ia the strip OF woodland
occurred 90 her only 90 be dismissed
She felt that here was an ugly bust
ness that was not within the grasp OF
park patrolman. and. moreover. John
Armitage was entitled 90 pursue his
own course En- matters that touched
his life SO closely. The thought OF
him treasured her. He was no simple
boy Co suffer such attacks 90 pass un-
challenged. and SO. disuissing him. she
raised her head and saw him gallop
forth from bypath and rein his horse
beside her
"Niiss Ciaibornc-'
The suppressed feeling I'm his tone
made the moment tense. and she saw
that his lips trcmbled. 10 was situa.
tion that must have It's quick relief SO
she said instantly in mockery OF his
own tone:
"Mr. Armitagc~ She laughed. 81
arm almost caught Go the dark. The
Establishments or spring have beruued
me-"
lie looked at her with quick scru.
tiny. 10 did not seem possible that this
could Doe the girl who had called 90
him in warning scarce five minutes be
fore. but De knew Il had been she
He would have known her voice any.
where IN the world They rode silent
beside the creek. which was Ike a
laughing companion seeking 70 mock
them into q chcerier mood At an
opening through the hills they saw Che
western horizon aglow On tlnts OF lem
ON decping into gold and purple Save
tor the riot OF the brook the world was
at peace. She met his eyes for an in
slant and their gravity and the nrm
lines In which his lips were set showed
that the shock Of his encounter had not
yet passed
"Nou must think me n strange per
son, Hiss Claiborne. IL seems mex
rlicable that a mans life should DE so
menaccd In "A place Ike this II you
had not called 10 me-
PLEASE don't speak OF thatl 1t was
so terriblei"
but aust speak OF H. once be-
fore the same attempt was made-that
night on the King Edward"
Yes; / have not forgotten"
And today l have reason 10 believe
that the same man watched his chance.
FOR have ridden here every day since
l came, and he must have kept track
OF me-"
but this IS America, Mr.. Armltagcr'
THAT does not help me with You.
You have every reason 10 resent my
bringing you into such dangers. II Is
objectionable. indefensibler"
She saw that he was greatly trou-
bled
But you couldn't help my being IN
the park today. I have often stopped
just there before. It's a favorite place
for meditauons. IL you know the
man
Il know the man"
Then the law VIII certainly protect
you, as YOU know very well. He was
dreadful looking person. The police
can undoubtedly End and lock him
up"
She was seeking 10 minimize the
matter, TO pass it OF as a common
place affair OF every day. They were
walking their horses The groom FOL
lowed stolidly behind.
Armitage was silent, a look OF great
perplexity on his face. When he spoke
he was quite calm.
Miss Claiborne, must tell you that
this is an affair In which l can't ask
help In the usual channels. You wifi
pardon me If ] seem TO make mvs-
terry OF what should be ordinarily
bit OF business between myself and
the police But 20 give publicity to-
these attempts 10 injure me Just now
would be a mistake. could have
caught that man there in the wood
But | let him go for the reason-for
the reason that | want the men back
or him 10 show themselves before !
act But If 1t isn't presuming"-
lie was quite himself again. His
voice was steady and deep with the
ease and assurance that she liked in
him. She had marked today In his
earnestness, more than at any other
time, slight, an almost indistinguish.
able trace Of another tongue In his
English.
How am l TO know whether II
would be presumingY' she asked.
But wac going TO say
When rudely interruptedr She was
trying to make 1t easy for him to say
whatever he wished.
THAT these from bla0 81 r,t,o -