The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-08

and boyisbly healthy that. eXcepr TOT
bis gray hair. he might have passed
for twenty-five or twenfy-tbree. ana
even as il was | guessed his years
short of thirty. hut there are plenty
of handsome young fellows with prema-
turety gray hair. and. as Amedee said.
though out of the world we were near
it".It was the newcomers singular
air. which established his Identity.
Amedee's v~agueness lad irked me. but
the thing itseif-the singular air.
was not at all vague. Instantly per-
ceptibIe. it was nm investiture. mark
ed. definite and intangible My Inter
rogator was that other monsieur"
In response to his question / asked
him another:
Were the roses real or artiicialT'
al don't know" be answered. with
what O to be a whimsical as
sumption of gravity. 1T wouldn't
matter. would 1t? Have you seen
her?"
Isn't your description" said grave
~, thinking to suit my humor TO his
own. somewhat too general: A great
many white hats trimmed with roses
might come for a stroll In these
woods"
n have seen her only once before"
he responded promptly. with a serf-
BUSINESS apparently quite genuine.
THAT was from my window at an inn
three days ago, She drove by in an
open carriage.
"A little while ago he went on. II
was up In the branches of IA Tree over
yonder. and / caught a glimpse OF a
iady in a light dress and a white hat,
and ! thought ii might be the same.
She wore a dress like that and a white
hat with roses when she drove by the
inn. | am very anxious to see her
again."
"You seen, TO be-"
AR. b ~en't @eH eeH her? Hasn't
she passed this wayT
II think that | may have seen her"
I began slowly. hut II you do n o
know her | should not advise
was interrupted by a shout and the
sound of a large t4aiy plunging In the
thicket. Professor Keredec fioundered
out through the last row of saplinGs
and bushes. his beard embelliShed
with a broken twig. his big face red
and perspiring. He was a nne. a
mighty man. ponderous of shoulder.
monumental OF height. stupendous OF
girth. He seized the young u by
the arm.
.Ha. my friend" he exclaimed In a
bass voice OF astounding power and
depth. that Is one way to study bota-
ny-to jump out of the middle OF a
high tree aud to run like a crazy man.
II III " ii lady wished To follow
the other answered promptly.
"A lady. What ladyT"
THE lady who passed the inn three
days ago. ] spoke Of her then. you re
member"
"Tonnerre de Dien.." Keredec slap
ped his thigh Violently. Have ! neg
pr told you that 10 Follow strange Ia
dies Is Que Of the things you cannot
dor''
THAT other monsieur shook his
head. "No: you have never told me
that. do NOT understand H." he said.
adding i~rrelevantIy. Il believe this
gentleman knows her. He says be
thinks be has seen her"
III you please. we must not trouble
this gentleman about IT," said the pro-
lessor hastily.
"Rut | wish Il ask him her name"
urged the either.
NO. no. Keredec took him by the
arm. I'VE must co.
.But whyT persisted the young
man.
mot now" The professor removed
his broad felt bat and hnrriadly wsns.d
his vast aud sleatniIig brow. III is
better IL We 10 not discuss II now"
"Rnt | might not 9 him again"
Il do not knew the lady" said.
with some sharpness. Il have never
seen her until This afternoon.
Upon This THAT other mofisieur" as.
tonished me la good afnest Search
Ing my eyes eagerly with his clear. In
qnisittre gaze. he took q step toward
nie ard said.