The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-15

and mother and brother to the child,
and with wisdom.
She smiled at her father and gave
her hand to Fitzgerald, who found
it warm and moist from the ride.
and glanced inqulringly at Breitmann.
My dear" said her father. this
ia Mr.. Breitmnnn. my new secre-
tary."
That gentleman bowed stifiiy, and
the scars faded somewhat when he
observed that her hand was extended
| in welcome. This unconventionality
rather confused him. and as he took
the hand he almost kissed it. She
understood the innocence Of the ges-
ture. and saved him from embarrass-
ment by withdra wing the hand cas-
ually.
Il hope you viii like 1t here" was
the pleasant wish.
Thank you, / shall"
You are German" quickly.
Il was born In Bavaria, Miss Kini-
grew"
The name should have told me.
She excused herself.
malicious exultancy. III she doesn't
interfere with your work.
But with introspection, this exult-
ancy grew suddenly dim. How about
himself Yes. Here WIS a question
that would bear some close inspec-
ton. Was it really the wish to cap
ture supposable burglar He made
short work of this analysis. He never
lied to others-not even In his work,
which every one knows Is endowed
with special licenses in regard to
truth--nor did he ever play the ri
tile. If soothing, game Of lying to
himself. This girl was different from
the ordinary run of girls: she might
become dangerous. He determined
then and there not to prolong his visit
more than three or four days; just
to satisfy her that there was no ghost
In the chimney. Then he would re-
turn to New York. He had no more
right than Breitmanu to fall in love
with the daughter OF a millionaire.
Loving her was not impossible. but
leaving at an early day would go to-
ward lessening the probability, He
was not afraid of Breitmann: he was
foreigner enough to accept at once
his place, and to appreciate that he
and this girl stood at the two ends
of he world.
And Breitmann's mind, which had.
up TO this time, been deep and I'M
RULED as a pool, became strangely
disturbed.
The time moved on to luncheon.
Breitmann took the part of listener.
and spoke only when addressed.
II must tell you. Mr.. Breitmann,'
said Laura, that ghost has return
ed to U.S.
"A ghost?" interestedly.
Yes. My daughter" said tho adj
miral tolerantly. believes that she
hears strange noises at night, APP
ping. and such like"
OH" politely. Breitmann broke
his bread idly. 1t was too bad. She
had not produced upon him the i'm
preston that she was the sort OF
woman whose Imagination embraced
the belief in spirits. Where does this
ghost do it's tapping"
I'm the big chimney in the library"
she answered.
No one observed Breitmann's hand
as 1t slid from the bread some OF
which was scattered upon the floor. /!
The scars. betraying emotion such as
no mental effort could control, deep
ened which is to say that the skin
above and below them had paled.
Might 1t not be some trial visit |
Of your patron saint, Santa Claus: !
he inquired, his voice well under con-
troll.
Really. it is no jest she afflrmed {
For several nights l have heard the /
noise distinctly; o mutfied tapping in
side the chimney"
suppose We inspect 1t after lunch /
aon?" suggested Fitzgerald.
1T has been DONE" said the ad-
niral- Outwardiy he was still skep-
Lical. but a doubt was forming In
mis- mind.
1T will do no harm to try 1t
again" said Breitmann.
il Fitzgerald noted the subdued ex-
sitement In the mans voice. ife, charg-
I'd II to the moment
Take my word for It." avowed the
ADMIRAL. you will ind nothing. Bring
he coffee into the library" he added
% the butler.
Go be ccntInued.) 1