Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-12-18

bul tue o00S UuEieu Bilaru'S blood
He settled down TO a brilliant play
and turned sixty-one I'm beautiful form
Later the two passed upstairs TO the
secluded alcove Merrihew filed the
glasses with the air OF one who would
like 20 pass the remainder OF his DAYS
doing the same thing-not that he was
overload. 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 reckoning 10 the card
tables.
Now, then, Jack. I've got you where
1 want YOU. Who Is sheT7
ION my word. I don't know"
Then there SIS q woman cried Mer.
rihcw. Il knew e. Nothing else would
SO demoralize you. Drink a health "a
uer."
Hillard raised his glass and touched
that Of his comrade. For the peace Of
his mind he determined to tell Merri
hew the whole adventure.
"To the lady I'm the fogv' he said.
"FogT" blankly.
"Well. the lady in the mask"
"Fog. mask2 Two Of themT"
NO. only one. once met her IN the
fog, and then ! met her in the mask"
"I'll drink 90 her. but Pm hanged n
/ don't believe you're coddIing me-"
said Merrihew dlsappointedly. This
IS New York"
The whole story. Jack. details and
nh; no half portions"
Hillard told the yarn simply. omit
ling nothing essential He even a led
that for three weeks ne had been the
author OF the personal inquiry as 20
the whereabouts OF one Nine. Angot.
u don't know, Dan. but this has
taken so strong n hold on me that
shant forget it soon. Imagine 70 your
self oh, but she could slngl I am a
man not 20 be held IN the leash OF an
adventure like this, but she held me-
Howl BY the hope that one day l
might see her face with no veil OF
mystery 70 hold her or az arms
length"
Mcrrihew was greatly excited. He
was for ordering n second bottle. but
Hillard stayed him.
by George! And you are sure that
IL was az the Sandfords'T"
Il am positive. But there Is n puzzle
that ] have failed 20 lvc-Sandford's
cable and the caretaker's declaration.
know that was in that house. The
patrolman says that he has seen no
light I'm the house since the family
sailed for Africa. II Is no dream, but
ii begins 10 look as n / were the vic
tim OF some fne hoax"
1T is more shan hoax, In my opln-
ion. Wait TIL Sanford returns and
finds his silver gone"
Hillard started
and bis gold plate" continued Mer-
rihew. pleased with the idea. MY
boy, that's what Il is-the best dodge
/ ever heard OF. II Will make a good
story for the Sunday papers. You
won't be in II unless she ropes you in
as an accomplice."
I'm a romantic ASST Hluard sighed.
Leddy Llghthnger! II this turned out
10 be the case he would never trust a
human being again.
Lets take that ride on the horses, ="
Merrlhew urged. "Thatu clear your
brain OF this sentimental fog"
mo" billiard struck his hands to-
gether I've a better idea than that.
l shall go 10 Italy. and you shall go
With me"
Impossible. why, I'm all but
broke"
I'm take you as a companion. I'm n
sick man. Dan I'm likely TO jump
overheard If some one isn't watching
me every minute"
I'D like TO go, Jack. Heaven and
earth, but shouldl But / can't posi-
bly, 90 10 Italy with a letter OF credit
no more than twenty-five hundred, and
that's all there is in the exchequer at
present"
Between such friends as we are
THAT racket won't work. l could
not take a moments peace If did not
feel independent"
But I'm not going TO give It to you. F"
Hillard protested. II am going 20 lend
1t to you"
And could ever pay you back II I
accepted the loanY" humorously.
There's Monte Carlo. You might
pull down a tidy sum-" said the tempt
or.
That's the way. you beggar. Hit
me on the soft side" But Merrihew
was still obdurate
Now. listen 10 reason, Dan. If you
wait for the opportunity to go to Eu-
rope yQu'n wait ia vain. You must
make the opportunity. one must have
youth 60 enjoy Italy thoroughly. The
desire To go becomes less and less as
one grows older. Besides. II completes
every mans education. I'll put the
proposition In n way you can't possibly
get round. You will always have that
thousand. so don't worry about that.
You have twenty-five hundred on hand
you say. With that you can see Italy
Ike prince for three months"
whats the proposition Merrihew
drained the bottle
"This-I'il agree TO take not p penny
more than twenty-five hundred my.
self Wen go on equal terms. why"
confidently. besides living like a
prince you'll have four hundred to