Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-04-19

nm with sfraigBloTw interest he
was nothing loath to initiate, he took
time to see that she was very fair
Of skin, with that creamy, silken
Wilderness that goes with hair of the
shade commonly and unjustly termed
red Her nose he thought a trace
too severely perfect in its modelling,
but redeemed by broad and thought
full brow, strong yet absolutely fem
mime chin, and q mouth Well,
as to her mouth, the young man So
lected 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 s9----hat formidable reputation
he wore as person of learned attain
ments. II his looks attracted, 1t was
not because he was handsome, for
| that he wasn't, but because OF certain
| 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
sufficiently prolonged to excuse the
reference to it 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 WEI"
Quite" assented the girl
That only makes 1t the more mys-
terious, of course"
Yes" said she proyokingly;
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 I left the train at No
komis station | met man l know as
well as | know myself-pretty nearly;
and he denied me to my face. Then,
little later, l encounter a strange,
mad Bengal. who apparently takes
me for somebody he has business
with. And finally, you call me by
name
ut isn't so very remarkable, when
you come to consider 1t" she returned
soberly. Mr. David Amber Is rather
well known, even in his own country.
/ might very well 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
it? 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 I
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 dor
I'm sorry he laughed, but you'll
IN, ho ;,a
teal"
And you wort show me the pres
ent the babu made your"
He closed his fingers jealousy over
the bronze box. mot until :"
you insist on reciprocity?"
Absolutely"
That's very unkind of you"
"How?" he demanded blankly.
You will have it that must sur
render my only advantage-my in
cognito. If I tell you how happen to
know who you are, must tell you
who am, Immediately you will lose
interest in me, because I'm really not
at all advanced; I doubt If I should
understand your book If had to read
It,"
Which heaven forfend! But why"
he insisted mercilessly, do you wish
me to be interested in your"
She flushed becomingly at this and
acknowledged the touch with a rueful,
smiling glance. But, Because I'm
interested in YOU" she admitted open
ly.
And why?"
Are you hardened to such adven-
tures?" She nodded In the direction
the babu had taken. Are you. &C
customed to being treated with ex-
traordinary respect by stray Bengalis
and accepting tokens from them? Is
romance commonplace to your"
"Oh," he said, disappointed, "if it's
only the adventure OF course,
that's easily enough explained. This
half-witted mammoth-dont ask me
how he came to be here-thought he
recognized in me some one he had
known in India. Let's have look at