The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-04

didn't look at him with more than
ordinary curiosity. He was enjoy
ing ii. 1t reminded him of the man
who offered sovereigns for shillings.
and never exchanged a coin.
Once he turned to see II mis- friends
were still watching him. They were.
two among many: for the exploit
had gone round. and there were other
wagers being laid on the result. While
his head WAS turned. and his grin
was directed at the club window, q
handsome young woman In blue came
along. She paused, touched her lips
with her gioyed hand meditatingiy.
and then went right-about-face swift
~. Some ore In the window motion
ed franticaily to the vender, but he
did rot understand Ten minutes
left In which to win his bet He
hadn't made a very good bargain.
Him, The young woman In blue was
stopping, Her exquisite face was per-
fectly serious as her eyes ran over
the collection on the tray. They were
all done execrably. something Fttz-
gerald hadn't noticed before.
Chow much are these apiece?''
"Er--twenty-five cents a'am," he
stammered. As a matter OF fact he
hadn't any idea what the current price
list WAS.
You seem very well dressed"
doubtfully, and YOU do not look hum
gry."
II arm doing this for charity's sake"
finding his wits. The policeman how
cred near scowiing. He was power
less, since the young woman had
spoken first.
Charity" In a half-articulated
voice. as If the word to her possessed
many angles. and she was endeavor-
ing to find the proper one to fit the
moment. ..,W-ha14 organization ~ ~
"A blank pause. My own, nam,
of which I am the head" There was
no levity in tone or expression.
BY now every window in the club
framed dozen or more faces.
II Wall take this Canova, believe"
and producing the necessary silver.
cor course, 1t is quite impossible to
send this -
:, u. Yes na'a ana Sending .ss w.ass,a
cat up all the profits. Eut. with
ill-concealed eagerness. "If you will
leave your address can send as
many as YOU like"
II will do that"
Incredible as II seemed, neither
face lost its repose; he dared not
smile, and the young woman did NOT
care to. There was something fanai-
liar TO his memory in the oval face
but this was no time for a diligent
search.
Hey. miss yelled one OF the news
boys. you're t'rowin' your money
away. Hes fake; he amt no statoo
seller. He's doing it for toke."
Fitzgerald lost a little color. that
was all. But his customer ignored
the imputation. She took out card
and laid 1t on the tray. and without
further ado went serenely on her way.
The policeman stepped toward her
as IL to speak. but she turned her
delicate head aside. The crowd en-
quilted her presently, and Fitzgerald
picked up the card. There was neither
name nor definite address on 1t. II
was a nessage, hastily written: and
II sent thrill OF delight and specu-
fation to his impressionable heart.
Still carrying the tray before him he
FASTENED over TO the club. where there
was something OF an ovation. Instead
of dinner for three 1t became one
for dozen. and Fitzgerald passed the
statuettes round a. souvenirs OF the
most unique bet OF the year. There
We're lively times. Toward midnight.
as Fitzgerald was going out OF the
coat room, Cathewe spoke to him.
| What was her name, Jack ~
Hanged If ! know
she dropped card on your tray"
r.. Fitzgerald scrubbed hts chin.
There wasn't any name ON It There
was an address and something more.
Now. wait moment. Arthur; this In
no ordinary affair. would not show
II to- any one else. Here. read 1t
yourself"
f'Come to the house at the top OF
the HILL In Dalton. tomorrow night
at o'clock. But do not come IL
you lack courage.
That was all cathewe ran a finger,
condensation. through his mustache.
He almost smiled.
Where the deuce IL Daiton?" Fitz-
gerald inquired.
1T is little village on the New
Jersey coast; not more than forty
houses. postofice. hotel and general
store: perhaps an hour out OF town"
What would YOU do in my place
It may be . joke. and then again
II may not. she knew that ! was .
rank imposter.*
ITO b Continued,