The San Francisco call., 1910-04-17

Nv kind OF elaborated breakdown about lilac
Ma BUSH with sundry wavngs of the and
w incoherent murmurings Carter watched him
without approval Apparently the exhibition
was connected in some way with the celebration of
obscure religious rites and the Vrgnian chary of
interfering 1t OF his business if a strange
gentleman chose open portion OF the Sluyt Long
island estate Tor the exeEcise of dervish dancing
But the matter that held him was that the
yOung-yOung and handsome and we'll dressed, and,
except TO his actions conventionally sane in appear
ance His neat checked riding suit we'll to his
trim tall figure. His breeches were impeccable He
had the 1.-THE wecdy build OF the horseman breed For
tie rest he fair and blonde, and upturned little
yellow mustache gave him a rather distinguished air,
or would have if he had stood still long enough Hav-
ing observed these facts with discerning eye Carter
decided TO continue at the performance.
But the ceremony did not try his patience, for it
soon came TO an abrupt close. The dancing gentle
man. with final stamp or two, came to dramatic
halt folded his with unnecessary violence, and
remained motonless and erect glaring at the Sluyt
mansion, which raised its white terraces and
This naneuver brought his gaze almost in line with
Carter, whom presently he perceived He broke his
pose long enough to raise his riding cap perunctory
but with perfect courtesy
Good morning"
There was enough of a foreign favor in the gesture
and the voice to confirm Carter in the impression
that the dancing gentleman no native eccentric.
The Virginian returned the salutation gravely.
4 trust 1 am not interrupting you" he said.
The other turned very frank and clear eyed smile
upon him Evidently his ecstasy or his fanatical
elevation, or whatever it was, had deserted him.
Not at all In fact was rather wishing that
there was good company in the vicinity" He ap-
peared to be quite unconscious that there was any
thing unusual in his recent display.
Thanks" said Carter guardedly "Are you stay
ing with the Suyts?"
The Suyts? All, no, for example" returned the
other, with start and a grimace For moment
the Vrgnian feared relapse, but the smile broke
through again. "And your"
Moi non plus" said Carter at venture "I was
riding along the road when noticed you here
thought it might be Herbert Classan. So walked
over"
The dancing gentleman produced little curved
gold case and presented small card without aeca-
ton The Virginian, who nothing if not adapt
able responded with like formalty. This is what
he read on the strangers card
LOUIS FERNAND SAGRELLE DE PARADEUX,
Comte de Garenne ct de Thibault.
Having proceeded so far according to formula the
two spoiled the scene by exchanging an ordinary
plebean handshake quite lacking in unnatural angles
Carter found that he liked the chap immensely apart
from the fact of his title Not that Carter had any
objection to titles but that he found the bearer of
this simple and straightforward. Meanwhile it
contributed somewhat to his friendiness to know
that the title genuine. He had heard vaguely
of De Garenne though he could exactly recall the
connection.
TEARING THE COBWEBS
Il also have left my the highway" said
his acquaintance. "Are you on particular mis-
sion?"
'No, just riding I'm staying with the Champneys,
below here bit"
"Ah, and I with the NIandewells Shall we go on,
then, together?"
"If you are quite-er, through" said Carter,
trihe malicously, glancing at the lilac bush. De
Garenne laughed sound, healthy, full toned laugh
"You should not hold my peculiarities against me-
Come. We shall tear the cobwebs loose with
gaop, yes?"
They tore several cobwebs and fair number of
miles loose during the afternoon. The Virgnian.
fully that it very much to his advantage
TO cultivate the count de Garenne discovered that
the operation meant of the difficulties the tor
tured reparees the labored approaches which he was
accustomed to negotiate at times.
In a wide detour over roads and open country they
improved their acquaintance rapidly Carter found
that the strange spectacle by the lilac bush had taken
on, in retrospect, the semblance of dream The
and normal Gradually considerable curiosity gained
their relations had become friendly enough to warrant
its intrusion.
BY the way De Garennc" he said when he found
his opening, do you mind telling what you were