The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-10-07
CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER VII
THE ross OF co.'s.
Y YILLARD made an iDexeusabl,
careless shot. He grounded his
cue and stood back from the
= = table That was the way ey-
eryfhing seemed TO goat tennis. at
squash, ri fencing. at billiards. II was
all the same
Il say Jack. what's the matter with
you anyhow asked MerrIbew, out ~
patience.
1T was bad" Hillard agreed. Per
haps I am not taking the interest In
the game that formerly took"
And when ! make proposition"
pursued Merrihew, ITO ride to the Cat.
skills and back. something you would
have Jumped at year ago, you shake
your head, Think Of it. BY George.
you had a bully time last year! You
swore II was the best trip we ever
took on the horses. Where's your spirit
OF adventurer'
I'm sure ] don't know where II Is.
Shall we finish the gameY'
Not II you're going to throw It like
this" declared Merrihew.
Ten and string against your half
a string" said Hillard, studying the
score "T'll bet bottle that | beat
you
"Donem said Merrihew. Being on
h.. al NJ
twenty. five to go. II can see you pay
Ing for that check, Jack"
But the odds tingled Hillard's blood.
He settled down to brilliant play
and turned sixty-one In beautiful form,
Later the two passed upstairs to the
secluded alcove. Merrihew filed the
glasses with the afr OF one who would
like to pass the remainder Of his days
doing the same thing-not that he was
overfond, but each bottle temporarily
weeded out that crop Of imperishable
debts. To him the world grew roseate
and kindly viewed through the press
Of the sparkling grape, and invariably
he saw fortune beckoning to the card
tables
Now. then, Jack. I've got you where
| want you. Who is she?'
ION my word. don't know"
Then there Is a woman cried Mer-
rihew. Il knew It. Nothing else would
80 demoralize you. Drink health to
her"
Hillard raised his glass and touched
that OF his comrade. For the peace Of
his mind be determined to tell Merri
hew the whole adventure.
''To the lady In the fog." he said.
Fog" blankly.
"well. the lady in the mask
Fog, mask2 Two OF themY
.No, only one. Once | met her In the
fog, and then met her In the mask"
"I1l drink to her, but I'm hanged II
don't believe you're coddling me-"
said Merrlhew disarpoIntedly. This
is New York"
The whole story. Jack, details and
ALL no half portions"
Hiilard told the yarn simply. omit
ting nothing essential. He even added
that for three weeks he had been the
author Of the personal inquiry as to
the whereabouts Of one Mime. Angot.
II don't know, Dan. but this has
taken 80 strong hold on me that
shan't forget II soon. Imagine II your
self. Oh, but she could sing! am a
man not TO be held In the leash Of an
adventure like this, but she held me.
How? BY the hope that one day
might see her face with no veil Of
mystery to hold her off at arms
length"
Merrlhew was greatly excited. He
was for ordering second bottle, but
Hillard stayed him.
by George! And you are sure that
II was at the Sandfords'y'
Il am positive. But there is puzzle
that have failed TO -Sandford's
cable and the caretnker's declaration.
| know that was In that house. The
patrolman says that he has seen no
light in the house since the family
sailed for Africa. II IL no dream. but
II begins 10 look as II were the vic.
tim OF some fine hoax"
1T is more than a hoax, in my opln-
lon. Wait I'll Sandford returns and
finds his silver gone
HIllard started
And his gold plate" continued Mer-
rihew. pleased with the idea. MY
boy, that's what II is-the best dodge
| ever heard Of. II WIFI make good
story for the Sunday papers. You
won't be In It unless she ropes you In |
IL an accomplice."
I'm q romantic ASST Hillard sighed.
Leddy Llghtnngerl II this turned out
10 be the case he would never trust
human being again.
Lets take that ride on the horses.
Merrihew urged. '.Thatll clear your ,
brain Of this sentimental fog"
Mo- iiiIiard struck bis hands to-
Gether I've better idea than that
shall gc 10 Italy. and you shall 80
With me-"
Impossible. Why. I'm all but
jroke''
"i'il take you as companion. I'm .
'ick man, Dan. I'm likely 10 jump
,verboard II some one isn't watching
ne every minute"
I'D like 10 80. Jack Heaven and
'srth. but should, But ! can't posi-
,ly 60 10 Italy with letter Of credit Z
10 more than twenty hundred. and I
hats all there IL ia the erch~qper at I
,resentr 4
Between such friends 40 we are q
That racket won't WORK could {
lot take snotn@nf's I.esee " dsd not !
~~l indep~nden,-
But I'm Dot going TO give u 10 you.- )
illisrd protested Il am golns 10 lend
70 yOa. q