Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-07

irritated rustles OF her black silk
gown.
! l.nished my packing. changed my
collar and was ready 90 go Then
very cautiously We put out the light
and opened the shutters The win
dow across was merely "a deeper black
in the darkness lt was closed and
dirty. And yet probably owing 20
Richey's suggestion had an un-
easy sensation of eyes staring across
az me. The next moment we were at
the door. poised for Eight
Wen have GO run for IT," / said IN
a whisper shes down there with
a package of some sort. sandwiches
probably. And she's threatened me
with overshoes for month Ready
now"
/ had Kaleidoscope view OF Mrs.
Klopton in the lower hall. holding out
an armful OF such travelling lmpedi-
menta as she deemed essential. while
beside her. Euphemia. the colored
housemaid, grinned over a white
wrapped box
"AwfuIy sOrry-no ume-back Sun
day" painted over my shoulder Then
the door closed and the car was NOV
ing away.
Mcknight bent forward and stared
at the facade OF the empty house next
door as We passed Il was black.
staring. mysterious. as empty build
ings are apt TO be.
I'D like to hold a post-mortem on
that corpse OF a house" he said
thoughfully. BY George, I've a no
ton TO get out and take a look"
Somebody after the brass pipes. {"
I scofred. House has been empty for
q year"
With one hand on the steering
wheel Mcknight held out the other for
my cigarette case. Perhaps" he
said; but don't see what she would
want with brass pipe"
"A womani" I laughed outright
You have been looking too hard at
the picture in the back OF your watch.
that's all. There's an experiment like
that. II you stare long enough"
But Mcknight was growing sulky;
be sat looking rigidly ahead. and he
did not speak again until he brought
the CanDonbAn 70 q stop at the sta
ton Even then IL was only a per
functory remark. He went through
the gate with me. and with I'VE min
utes TO spare. we lounged and smoked
In the train shed. Ny mind had slid
away from my surroundings and had
wandered TO a polo pony that
couldn't aford and intended TO buy
anyhow. Then Mcknight shook on
his taciturnity
For heavens sake, don't look so
martyred." he burst out; Il know
you've done all the travelling this sum-
mer. l know you're missing a game
tomorrow. But don't be a patient
mother; confound II, I have to 90 to
Richmond on Sunday. IL want 70
zee q girl"
"Oh, don't mind me-" observed
politely. Personally, wouldn't
change places with you. What's her
name-North? SOUTH"
West" be snapped. Don't try TO
be funny. And all have to say,
Blakeley, is that IL you ever fall in
love I hope you make an egregious
ass OF yourself"
In view OF what followed, this cam -
, rather close to prophecy
The trip west was without incident.
1 played bridge with a furniture deal
er from Grand Rapids. a sales agent
for Pittsburg iron firm and young
professor from an eastern college. /
won three rubbers out Of four, finished
what cigarettes Mcknight had left
me and went TO bed about one o'clock.
IL was growing cooker. and the rain
had ceased Once, toward morning,
wakened with a start. for no apparent
reason, and sat bolt upright. l had
been looking at me. the same sensa'
ton ] had experienced earlier In the
evening at the window. But l could