The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-11

%Hebe?" suspiciously. The peasant
Is always suspicious Of anything he
doesn't understand.
'Hebe was a cup-bearer to the my
biological gods in olden times" Car
michael explained. He had set a trap,
but the vtntner had not fallen into 1t.
"A fairy story" The winner nod
led; he understood now.
Carmichaels glance once more rest
ed on the winners hand. He would
lay another trap.
What happened to her 90
"Oh," said Carmichael, she spilled
wine on a god one day and they BAN
ished her"
1T must have been a rare vim
tage."
Il suppose you are familiar with
all valleys. Moselle p
Yes. That Ia a fine country"
The old man In tatters sat erect in
his chair, but he did not turn his
head.
'.You have served"
"A little. II / could be an officer
j should like the army" The winner
reached for his pipe which lay on
the table.
TRY this" urged Carmichael. Of
fering his pouch.
This will be good tobacco, / know
The vintner filed his pipe.
Carmichael followed this gift with
many questions about wines and vim
taEes: and hidden In these questions
were a dozen clever traps. But the
other walked over them, unhesitant
with q certainty of step which cha
grined the trapper.
BY and by the vintner rose and
1AoA "a fxtS fat. Ia AZ
night. He had not offered to buy any
thing, another sign puzzling to Car
michael This frugaiity was purely
OF the thrifty peasant. the xint-
ner was not ungratefui, and he ex-
pressed many thanks. On his way TO
the door he stopped. whispered into
Gretchen's ear and passed out into
the black street,
Either he is fine actor. or he
ts really what he says he is" Car.
michael was dissatisfied. ''I'll str, 1,
my chances on being President III ths
United States. which Is safe, enough
as q wager, that this fepew Is not
genuine. I'll watch HIM I'VE stun.
bled upon a pretty rognanca ~ some
sort. but fear that q is ona.s,ded .
He wrinkied his .oreheaa, hut ina,
part Of hts reeosslection ne Armed ia
A RI, 1917 lailow. in darkness.
An1 piess n the room was thinning
., "'ee vacant chairs here anc
sntow. A carter sauntered pas
rNl.d sat down uncoDcernedly at tn,
table occupied by the old man who's.
face Carmichael had not yet seen
The two exchanged not even so much
AS q casual nod. A little later q
butcher approached the same table
and seated himself after the manner
enf rar vi IA nc
dusty baker came along and repeated
this procedure. preserving the same
silence, that Carmichaefs curiosit.
was enlivened. This curiosity, how
ever, was only Of the eyanescent order
Undoubtedly they were socialists and
this was little concfave, and the pc.
culiar manner of their meeting, the
silence and mystery, were purely fic,
tfonal. Socialism at that time revolv'
ed round the blowing up of kings. Of
demolishing established order, Mel
Their kings were blown UP nor orde,
demolished. but 1t was a congenia
topic over which to while away al
evening. This was in the German
States, in Russia ii was a different
matter.
Had Carmichael not fallen a-dream.
Ing over his pipe he would have seer
the old man pass three slips of paper
across the table. he woaid have seer
the carter, the butcher and the baker
pocket these slips stolidly; he wouiC
have seen the mountatneer wave hi:
hand sharply and the trio rise anG
dispense. And perhaps II would have
been well for him TO have noted these
singular manifestations of conspiracy
since shortly he was to become some
what involved. II WAS growing late
&c Carmaiehael left the Black Eagle
nursing the sunken ember In his pipe
and uurrenderins no part OF his
dream.
lntermedsately the mountaineei
paid his score ana started for the
stairg. which led TO the bedrooms
above. But he stopped at the star
A very old man Was having 4 pal
niled with hot cabbage soup. II wa:
the ancient clock meEder across tnt
way. The mountaineer was startled
out OF his habitual reserve. but he re-
covered his composurc almost instant
iy. The clock mender. his heav,
glasses hanging crookedly on his nose
his whole aspect that of a weary
broken man. took down his pail ana
ehufiied noiselessly out. The noun
taineer followed him cautiously. Once
in his shop the clock member poured
the steaning soup into a bowl. hrok.
break In II and began his evening
meal. The other. his face pressed
against the dim pane. stared and
stared.
Colt in Himmel. II Is he" hs
breathed. then stepped back into tbs
shadow. while the moisture from hi.
breath slowly faded and disappeared