Putnam patriot., 1908-11-06

nung as tapestry oNel
 the mantel; portfolio
 and travellers writin. materials distributed about table pro duced for the purpose. and addition: te The meager bookshelf "a line ot / paedekers, 6 pocket atlas, a eompre heusive American railway guide. sev. eral volumes of German and French poetry-and the place was not so bad Arnitage slept for an hour after q simple luncheon had been prepared by Oscar. studied his letters and cable. srams-made, in fact. some notes in regard to them and wrote replies Then at o'clock he told Oscar to sad. de the horses.
 Tt is spring. and in April a mans blood will not be quiet. We shall xo forth and taste the air"
 He had studied the map of Lamar county with care and led the way out of bis own preserve by the road over which they had entered in 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 buff gaun- tletcd hand went to his hat brin when- ever Armitage addressed him.
 They sought again the spot whence Afmitage had first looked down upon Storm valley. and he opened his pocket map the better to clarify his ideas of the region.
 I've shall go down into the valley. Oscar" he said, and thereafter it was he that led.
 They struck presently into an old road that had been an early highway across the mountains. Above and be low the forest hung gloomily. and pass ing clouds darkened the slopes and oc- easionally spilled rain. Armitage drew on his cloak, and Oscar enveloped him. self in a slicker as they rode through sharp shower At lower level they came Into fair weather again and. crossing 6 bridge, rode down Into Storm valley The road at once bore marks of care. and they passed num- Der of traps that spoke enthusiastically of cities and riders whose mounts knew well the bridle 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 will stay here until I come back. And remember that we don't know any one, and at our time of life, Oscar, one should be wary of making new acquaintances."
 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 his own security and he walked boldly up the steps of the main hotel entraace- He stepped into the long corridor CT the ian, where many people iounEed about. and heard with keen saffsfAcneA and relief the click of telegraph iR- .strument- that seemed at once to bring him into contact with the remote world He filed his telegrams and walked the length of the broad hall. his riding crop under his arm. The gay banter and laughter of group or young men and women just returned from drive rave him touch Of 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 Anew her: very likely she came often to this huge ,caravansary and mingled with them.
 At the entrance be passed Baron yon Marhof. the Austrian ambassador, who, by reason of fhe death of his roy al chief, had taken 8 cottage at the Springs to emphasize his abstention from the life of the capital. The am sassador lifted his eyes aud bowed to Armitage. as he bowed to a great many young men whose names ne never remembered: bat. oddly enough, the baron paused. stared after Armi fage for a moment. then shock his head and walked on with knit brows. ArHitage had lifted his hat and passed out, tapping his leg with his crop.
 He walked toward the private houses flat lsy scattered over the valley anc along the gradual slope of the hills as though carelessly flung from a dice oox. Many of the places were hand some estates. with imposing houses Sci amid beautiful gardens. Half mile From the hotel he stopped passing aegro to ask who owned a large house that stood veil back from the road. The man answered. He seemed anx- ious 10 impart further information, and Armitage ayailed himself of the Opportunity.
 How near h Judge Claiborne's piace?' he asked.
 The man pointed It was the next house on the righthand side. and Ar "itage smiled to himself and strolled on
 He looked down in a moment upon Pretty estate. distinguished by its iofmal garden. but with the broad acres Of practical farm stretch s'g far out Into the valley. The lawn 'effNees were green. broken only by p'os Of spring flowers The walks were walled in box and privet The ao'ise of the piliared colonial type, s10~hed series of terraces. A long srisoa- with pillars topped by red