Evening star., 1912-07-21

this place; then suddenly, with bewldered air, he
halted dazed sense that he on familiar ground
took possession of him. Immediately he corrected this
impression dormant recollection awoke and sprang
the center of his consciousness. The gateway oppo
site that which the Gypsy woman had described.
Flanking it the yelowsh green pillars. Atop of
each shaft there black falcon the birds, with
half closed wings, being tilted forward though about
to swoop something in the roadway.
birmingham slowly backed to the other side of the
road, where he down the bank and contemplated
the gateway and he looked the conviction upon
him that he would not venture to disregard Madame
Hem-Zohemi's instructions. He of no COM
puson: only of deepening fear that, he disobeyed
his whole after life if it happened to turn out badly
would be haunted by the that he had deliberately
rejected his great opportunity. While noting every
mark of weathering and tmestaned streak of yellow
coorng in the pillars the young man eyes, usually
clear and keen enough, couded with nrospecton
He realized the absolute foolishness of the dominant
suggestion in his mind he pitied himself for yielding
as he felt he the point of doing to purely super
stitious impulse; he that if he should en-
counter anyone in the place, it would be extremely
awkward to explain his presence; but these consdera
tions which birmingham would ordinarily have found
weighty enough, were borne down by the recollection
of the words spoken by the fortune teller.
At last, with the air of having determined the wise
the young drew forth the seal ring snapped
it from the sken cord slipped the fourth finger of
his right hand, and without hesitation rose, crossed
over, opened the gate, and started up the graveed
winding driveway. short walk brought him in sight of
small summerhouse, set in shrubbery. At the moment
of noticing it, he became aware that it was tenaned
A YOUNG woman sat there reading and at her feet
\ lay brindled Great Dane, which, as birmingham
approached, and growled. The young woman laid
her hand the dogs back and looked up indferently
She beautiful in that famous distnctvely English
way that mysteriously blends health and decacy the
of refinement with the most obvious robustness
Her dark hair drawn back from low, broad fore
head her slightly aquine; her chin well
rounded but not aggresslvey square; and her mouth
the most distinguishing feature of her face was large,
the lips parting of strong white teeth.
Il beg your PARDON, said birmingham, lifting his
cap but will you kindly tell me whether this is MIR.
Simpsons placer"
He knew very well it was not, having passed Mr..
Simpsons residence half mile back and learned the
owners name by casually asking it of farmer.
NO. this is Mr.. Gordon's place" the young woman
replied. Mr. Simpsons entrance is the second to the
THANK you very much
birmingham, realizing that immediate retreat was
the only open about to turn away when
the dog, which had been shifting the young mans
strangers breast, and attempted to lick his face.
Down, Alex" cried the young
"Oh, he doesn't annoy me, said birmingham, glad
of chance for further conversation love fine dog
and this is splendid specimen of the breed"
Suddenly, as he was patting the animals head and
stroking his birmingham noticed that the girl had
gone white and staring at him in queer, helpless
way Thinking she was i'll he took step forward.
mo, mol! she said hastily. Il shall be all
right in moment" Then the color famed q
into her cheeks; but she continued to gaze ina
way that was both unaccountable and embar-
RAISING to birmingham. He felt supremey
foolish, and the girls words, when she finally
spoke, reduced him to condition of practical
imbecility.
'Will you let me look at 4
the ring you wear! she
asked in voice she vainly r.
tried to steady.