Gilpin observer., 1911-08-03
CHAPTER II.
Tho Girl and tho Token.

quickly to meet the gaze of mischiev-
Gus eyes that strove vainly to seem
simple and sincere.
Aware that he faced an uncommon
ly pretty woman, who chose to study
him with a Straightforward interest he
was nothing loath to initiate. he took
time to see that she was very fair
Of skin, with that creamy, silken
whiteness that goes with hair of the
shade commonly and un1ustly termed
red. Her nose he thought trace
too severely perfect In its modelling.
but redeemed by broad and thought
full brow, a strong yet absolutely fem
mime chin, and a mouth Well,
as to her mouth, the young man So
lected a rosebud to liken 1t to.
Having catalogued these several
features. he had mental portrait of
her he was not likely soon to forget.
For it's not every day that one en-
counters so pretty girl in the woods
of Long Islands southern shore-or
anywhere else. for that matter. He
felt sure of this.
But he was equally certain that he
was as much a stranger to her as
she to him.
She, on her part, had been busy
satisfying herself that he was a very
presentable young man, in spite of
the somewhat formidable reputation
he wore as a person Of learned attain
ments. If his looks attracted. 1t was
not because he was handsome. for
3, Ia but haN rf toi =,
signs Of strength to be discerned In
his face, as well as an engaging man.
ner which he owned by right Of an
cestry, his ascendants for several gen.
erations having been notable repre-
sentatives of one of the First Families
of Virginia.
The pause which fell upon the girls
use of his name, and during which
they looked one another over, was
reference to 1t which Amber chose to
make.
I'm sure" he said with his slow
smile, that we're satisfied we've
never met before. Aren't we?"
Quite" assented the girl.
THAT only makes it the more mys-
terious, of course"
"Yes," said she provokingly;
doesn't it?"
"You know, you're hardly fair to
me-" he asserted. I'm rapidly be-
ginning to entertain doubts of my
senses. When l left the train at No
komis station I met man l know as
we'll as know myself-pretty nearly;
and he denied me to my face. Then.
little later, I encounter strange.
mad Bengal, who apparently takes
me for somebody he has business
with. And finally. you call me by
name
"It isn't so very remarkable, when
you come to consider it." she returned
soberly. "Mr. David Amber is rather
we'll known, even in his own country.
I might very we'll have seen your pho
tograph published in connection with
some review of-let me see.
Your latest book was entitled The
Peoples of the Hindu Kush. wasn't
1t? You see, l haven't read it."
That's sensible of you. I'm sure.
| Why should you? But your
| theory doesn't hold water. because
won't permit my publishers to print
my picture. and, besides. reviews OF
such stupid books generally appear
in profound monthlies which abhor IL
lustrations.'
"Oh!" She received this with a
note of disappointment. Then my ex
PLANTATION won't do?'
I'm sorry" he laughed. but you'll
have to be more ingenious-and prac
| teal
And you wort show me the pres
ent the babu made you?"
He closed his fingers jealousy over
the bronze box. Not until -
"You insist on reciprocity?"
Absolutely"
That's very unkind Of you"
How" he demanded blankly.
lTO BE CONTINUED)