The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-05

tOOpyr1ght, IoO9, by GeOrge
Barr McCutcheon.)
Copyright, 1909, by Doud
Mead & Company. Published
Sept, 1009.)
Vos Engo, being an officer in
the Royal Guards, rode ahead b.
order of Colonel Quinnox. Trux-
ton, therefore, had her back in
view-at rather vexing distance
too-for mile after mile of the
ride to the city. Not so far ahead
however, that he could not OBJ
serve every movement of her
light, graceful figure as she swept
down the Kings highway. She
was perfect horsewoman, firm,
jaunty, free. Somehow he knew
without seeing, that stray brown
wisp of hair caressed her face with
insistent alteration: he could see
her hand go up from time to time
to brush it back-just as if it were
not happy place for wisp of
hair. Perhaps-he shivered with
the thought of it-perhaps it even
caressed her lips. All, who would
not be wisp of brown hair!
He galloped along beside the
baron, a prey to gloomy considera-
tions. What was the use? He
had no chance to win her. That
was for story-books and plays. She
belonged to another world-far
above his. And even beyond that,
she was not likely to be attracted
by such a rude, ungainly, sun
burned lout as he, with such chaps
about as Vos Engo, or that what's
his-name fellow, or a dozen others
whom he had seen. Confound it
all, she was meant for a prince, or
an archduke. What chance had
he?
But she was the loveliest crea-
ture he had ever seen. Yes; she
was the golden girl of his dreams
Within his grasp, so to speak, and
yet he could not hope to seize her
after all. Was she meant foI
that popinjay youth with the petu.
lent eye and the sullen jaw? Was
he to be the lucky man, this Vos
Engo?
The baron's dry, insinuatine
voice broke in upon the young
mans thoughts. 81 think it's
pretty we'll understood that she's
going to marry him." The little
old minister had been reading
Kings thoughts; he had the salts
faction of seeing his victim star
guiltily. 1t was on the tip o.
Truxton's tongue to blurt out
How the devil did you know
what / was thinking about?" Blu
he managed to control himself
asking instead, with bland inter
lest:
Indeed? Is 1t a good match
Baron?"
The baron smiled. "I think so
He has been a trifle wild, but l be
lieve he has settled down. Spleen
did family. He is desperately il
love, as you may have noted"
81 hadn't thought much abou
1t. Is she in love with him?"
"hSe sees a great deal of him,
was the diplomatic answer.
Truxton considered we'll for ;
minute or two, and then bluntl,
asked:
would you mind tell me jus
who she is. Baron? What is he
name?"
Dangloss was truly startled. II,
gave the young man quick, pene
trating glance, then a set, hare
expression came into his eyes.
do you mean. sir, that yol
don't know herr" he asked, almos
harshly.
81 don't know her name"
"And you had the efrfontery t,
- My excellent friend. you amaz
me. can't believe 1t of you
Why, sir, how dare you say thi
to me? I know that American
are bold, but, by 'gad, sir, I've al
ways looked upon them as gentle
men. You"
Hold on, Baron Dangloss," in
terrupted Truxton, very red in tn,
face. Don't say 1t, please. You,
better hear my side of the stor,
first. She went to school will
my sister. She knows me, but
confound 1t, sir, she refuses to tel
me who she Is. Do you think tina
is fair? Now. I'll tell you how 4
came about" He related tn,
story of the goldfish and the pin
hook. The baron smiled com
fortably to himself, a sphinx-lik.
expression coming into his bead,
eyes as he stared steadily OF
ahead; her trim gray back seemed
to encourage bis admiring smile