The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-15
The GUEST
OF QUESNAY
Booth Harrington
Copyright. M. y TIE necIss cs9yaay
4 Copyright. lse7. 1904, sy The Rids~sy cs~1Asy

wnere thin wnlte maze was Using.
Just as had begun to browse the
gallery steps creaked and the noble
form Of Keredec emerged upon my
field of vision. From the absence of
the sound of footsteps supposed him
to be either barefooted or in his stock
ings. His visible costume consisted OF
n sleeping jacket tucked into a pair
of trousers. while his tousled hair and
beard and generally tossed and rum
pied look were those OF man who
had been lying down temporarily.
heard min sigh-like one signink
for sieep--as he went noiselessly across
the garden and out through the arch
way to the road. At that sat straight
up In bed to stare. and well might.
- for here WAS a miracle He had lifted
his arms above his head to stretch
himself comfortably. and he walked
upright and at ease. whereas when I
had last seen him the night before be
had been able TO do little more than
crawl. bent far over and leaning pain
fully upon his friend. Never man be-
held more astonishing recovery from
a bad case OF rheumatism.
After n long look down the road be
retraced his steps. and the moonlight.
striking across his great forehead as
there by an anxiety of which guessed
the cause. The creaking OF the wood
en- stairs and gallery and the whine OF
an old door announced that he had re-
turned to his vigil.
had perhaps II quarter OF an hour
to consider this performance. when II
was repeated; now. however. he only
glanced out into the road. retrearing
hastily. and | saw that be was smil-
ing. while the speed he maintained In
returning TO bis quarters was remark
able for one 80 newly convalescent-
The next moment Saffren came
through the archway, assembled the
steps 10 turn-bUt slowly aud careful
~. AS If fearful OF waking his guard
ian-and ! heard his door closing very
gently. Long before his arrival. how
ever. | had been certain Of his identity
with the figure | had seen gazing mp
ut the terraces OF Quesnay from the
borders of the grove. Other questions
remained to bother me: Why bad ker-
edec not prevented this night rowing.
and why. since be did permit It. should
he conceal his knowledge OF 1t from
Oliver? And what, oh, what wondrous
specific had the mighty man found for
his disease?
A note lay beside my plate next
| morning addressed In writing strange
to me- one ct -aasAiHg and vigorous
character. II read:
In the pursuit OF thrilling scientific ~
search, what with the turnuIf which pos
sessed me. / forgos to mention the bond
that links u.s. J. too. am a painter. though
az yet unhonored and unhurB. II must
be only because 1 lack q gentle hand to
guide me. Ii | might sit beside you ~
you paint. The hours pass on ieaden
wings at Qussnay.-I could Shrek. Do
not refuse me = few words of instruction.
either In the wildwood. whittier / could
support your shrinking steps. or from time
to time you work In your studio, which
Il CLEAN from the Instructive Mr.. Ferret,
LIS al Les Trois Pigeons. At any hour. at
any moment 1 will speed TO you. i am.
sir. yours. II you will but breathe yes"
ANNE ELLIOTT
To this | returned 4 reply. rs much
In her own key as 1 could write II. put
ting my refusal on the ground that I
was not at present painting In the
studio. l added that hoped her suit
might prosper. reSretttng that l could
| not he of greater assistance to that
end. and concluded with the suggestion
that Mime. Brossard might entertain
an offer for lessons in cooking.
The result Of my attempt TO echo her
| vivacity was DESIGNATING. and l was
allowed to perceive that epistoiary
POPULARITY was NOT thought TO Be my
| line. II was Miss Elizabeth who gave
me this instruction three days later. on
the way TO Quesnay for second break
fast" Exercising fairly shamefaced
diplomacy. had avoided dining at
the chateau again. but BY arrange
ment she bad driven over for me this
morning In the phaeton.
why are you writing silly notes to
that child?" she demanded as soon AZ
We were away from the Inn.
WAS It sillyT'
| "You should know. Do you think
that style OF humor suitable for .
young girl?'
This bewiIdered me little. but
there wasn't anything offensive
MOP" Miss elizabeth lifted her eye
brows TO a height Of bland inquiry.
"She mightn't think It rather-weil.
rough? Your suggesting that she
should take cooking lessonsg
But she suggested she might taks
painting lessons" was my feeble pro-
test. Il only meant to show her un-
| derstood that she wanted to get to the
| Inn"
And why should she care to get 70
the inp%"
.She seemed interested IN young
man who Is staying there. Interested
ia the mildest word for it can think
| Of"
At the chateau. having mind to Of.
| fer some sort Of apology. looked anx.
iously about for the subject Of our
! rather disquieting converaat1on. but
she was not to be seen until the party
assembled at the table. set under An
awning on the terrace.
| Mrs. Hartman had not appeared ~
all. having gone TO call upon some oue
Mt Dives. | was told. and. servant
informing me. on inquiry. that Aim