The Columbus journal., 1911-05-17

from Arradale. they would be expect
ing him.
STOP" he whispered. Let me out.
You drive on to the door and wait
there for me-"
Bessie nodded. She did not COM
prehend. but she accepted the situa-
ton unhesitatingly.
Orme noted. by the light Of the lamp
at the gate. the simmer Of the veil
that was wound around her hat.
Give me your veil." he said.
She withdrew the pins and unwound
the piece of gossamer. He took It and
stepped to the ground. concealing him
self among the trees that lined the
drive.
The buggy proceeded slowly. Orme
followed afoot, on a parallel course.
keeping well back among the trees.
At a certain point. after the buggy
passed. figure stepped out into the
drive. and stood looking after 1t. From
his build and the peculiar agility Of
his motions. he was recognized a.
Maku. Orme hunted about till he
found a bush from which he could
quietly break a wand about six feet
long. Stripping 1t of leaves. he
fastened the veil to one end of It and
tiptoed toward the drive.
The japanese was still looking AFT
er the buggy. which had drawn up be-
fore the house.
Suddenly. out of the darkness .
sinuous gray form came floating to-
ward him. It wavered. advanced.
halted. then seemed to rush. The
seance Of the afternoon was fresh IA
the mind Of the Japanese. With
screams Of terror. he turned and fed
down the drive. while Orme. removing
the veil from the stick, moved on to-
ward the house. Madam Alias game
certainly Wis effective in dealing with
Orientals.
A moment later Orme and Bessie
had crossed the roomy veranda and
were at the door. while the old man.
still grumbling. swung around the cir.
Gle Of the drive and ratified away.
Orme's heart was pounding. When tho
servant answered the bell. he drew
back and he did not hear the words
which Bessie spoke In q low voice.
They were ushered into q wide re.
ception hall. and the servant went to
announce them.
You wish to see her alone" said
Bessie. Go In there and I will ar
range It."
He went as she directed. INTO q 1T
tie reception room. and there he wait
ed while subdued feminine greetings
were exchanged in the hall without
Then. at last, through the doorway
came the gracious. lovely figure of the
girl.
oh" she whispered. Il knew you
would come, dear-I knew"
He took her hands and drew her
to him. But with a glance at the
doorway she held herself away from
him.
In his delight at seeing her he hat
almost forgotten his mission. But now
he remembered.
Il have the papers," he said. taking
them from his pocket.
Il was sure you had them I was
sure that you would come"
He laid them in her hands. For.
give me, Girl. for fooling you with
that blank contract"
She laughed happily. Il didn't look
at it until I got home. Then I was
so disappointed that I almost cried. |
But when l thought It over, I under |
stood. Oh, my dear, l believed in you |
so strongly that even then l went to |
my father and told him that the pa |
pers were on the way-that they |
would be here in time. l just simply |
knew you would come"
Regardless of the open doorway he
clasped her closely. and she buried |
her face in his coat with little laugh
that was almost a sob. Then, sudden
ly. she left him standing there and.
holding the papers tight. went from
the room.
CTO By CONTINUED)