The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1911-07-06

that of the Spanish--it was strongly
marked. its features at once promi-
nent and finely modelled. The hair
intensely black, the eyes as dark and
of peculiar fire, the lips broad, full
and sympathetic, the cheekbones high,
the forehead high and somewhat mar
row: these combined to form a
strangely striking ensemble, and
none the less striking for its weird
resemblance to Amber's own cast Of
countenance.
Indeed, their likeness one to the
other was nothing less than weird in
that it could be so specifically
strong, yet elusive. No two men were
ever more unalike than these save
in this superficial accident of facial
contours and complexion. No one
knowing Amber (let us say could
ever have mistaken him for Rutton;
and yet any one, strange to both,
armed with description of Rutton,
might pardonably have believed AM
Der to be his man. Yet manifestly they
were products of alien races, even OF
different climes-their Municipalities
as dissimilar as the poles.
"Hiding!" Amber reiterated in a
tone scarcely louder than whisper.
And you have found me out, my
friend"
"But-but / don't"
Rutton lifted hand in depreciation; !
and as he did SO the door in the rear
of the room opened and Doggott en-
tered Cat-like, passing behind AM
Der, he placed upon the table small
tray, and from steaming pitcher
poured him glass Of hot spiced
wine At look from his employer he
filed a second.
Amber lifted his fragrant glass.
You're joining me, Rutton?'
with all my heart" The man
came forward to his glass. For old
sake's sake, David Shall we drink
toast?' He hesitated, with marked
air of embarrassment, then impul-
sively swung his glass aloft. Drink
standing!" he cried, his voice oddly
vibrant. And Amber rose. To the
king-the king, God bless him!"
ITO the king!" It was more an ex-
clamation of surprise than an echo
to the toast; nevertheless Amber
drained his drink to the final drop. As
he resumed his seat, the room rang
with the crash of splintering glass;
Rutton had dashed his stumbler to
atoms on the hearthstone.
'sWelli' commented Amber, lifting
his brows questioningly. You are
sincere, Rutton. But who in blazes
would ever have suspected you OF be-
ing a British subject?'
why not?"
but it seems to me I should have
known"
what have you ever really known
about me. David, save that | am my
self"
.Well-when you put it. that way
little enough nothing" Amber
laughed nervously, disconnected. But,
seriously now, this foolish talk about
hiding is all joke, isn't it?''
NO. said Rutton soberly; mo, It's
no joke" He sighed profoundly. As
for my recent whereabouts, have been
-ah-traveling considerably; moving
about from pillar to post" To this
the man added single word, the
more significant in that 1t embodied
the nearest approach to confidence
that Amber had ever known him to
make: Hunted"
Hunted by whom?"
II beg your pardon" Rutton bent
forward and pushed the cigarettes to
Amber's elbow II am-ah-so pre-
occupied with my own mean troubles,
David, that / had forgotten that you
had nothing to smoke. Forgive me.
That's matter, T."
Amber cut short his impatient
catechism in Difference to the others
mute plea. And Rutton thanked him
with a glance-one of those looks
which, between friends, are more elo-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IT I TT J.