The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-19
(Copyrixht 1917 By 4. c. MecIurg 1 Coz

that could set you to rejecting upon
the desolate, dreary waste of your mis-
spent life. And, mirabile dictu ct visu,
gon of her sex that has quickened
| you?"
Tom colored again. "Shucks!" he
growled sulkily. "a fellow might as
we'll try talking seriously to an idiot"
Believe me- said Van Vechten
! earnestly, 81 never was in a more
sober mood in my life. Mayn't l be
permitted some vent for my stupefac-
ton? You appear here, utterly unlike
| the chap l know, and sit for minutes,
about as garrulous as a corpse, then
! oyerwhelm me with the amazing reve-
| lation that you are-at last-in love!
Tom, my dear fellow, l feel as If /
were participating in miracle. Tell
me frankly all about her."
she has the tenderest, most mu-
steal voice in the world" said Tom
| fervently.
That's the genuine poetic touch"
said his friend And her hair ?-her
eyes? Is she tall or short-Psyche, or
Diana? Hebe, or Hippolyta?"
II don't know" stammered Tom.
What"
Tom twisted and squirmed uneasily
in his chair.
Dash it ALL" blurted he at last. 81
was an ass for coming here; l might
have known that you'd screw every
thing out of me. When l say l don't
know what she looks like, l mean just
| that, but it makes me out blooming
| lunatic. But l haven't seen her. |
| haven't the least idea what she looks
| like. Yet l want to find her worse
than ever l wanted anything in my
life
The others aspect grew grave enough
now. 1t was plainly manifest that,
since they had parted Sunday, Tom
/ had undergone an experience OF some
kind, that had affected him profound
ly.
Suppose" said his friend sympa-
thetically, you tell me all about her."
And Tom did. He began with his
day upon the waters of the sound, con-
Guiding this stage of his adventure
with an account Of the motorboat and
its occupants.
AT mention of the white-haired SER
want, Van Vechten started violently,
but managed to restrain the ejacula-
ton that leaped to the tip of his
tongue His interest was now doubled,
and he settled himself to harken to
the narrative, which he followed
thenceforward to the end with a con-
ception that inspired Tom to genuine
eloquence.
At the close of the recital Van Vech.
ten remained a long time absorbed in
thought. :
ITO think" he said finally, that
you-of all persons-should have blum
dered into an adventure like that
But, Tommy, it is unfortunate that you
pledged yourself not to hunt for the
house. l suppose it occurred to you
that these people are the same who
occupied thirteen-thirteen?"
Tom nodded.
Then listen to this" Van Vechten
pursued. During your absence, Paige's
silence has assumed a really disquiet
ing aspect; / am now deeply con
cerned about her-even now am await
ing replies to a dozen or more cable
] grams l sent off this morning. Hei
gold purse was found yesterday in thai
house.
His friend stared at him blankly.
How the dickens did it get there?
he exclaimed.
ITO be sure And what has hap
pened to my cousin? Those are two
questions that l am extremely anx
ious to have answered as soon as pos
Sible; questions that must be an
swered, in fact. Do you not see how
your promise to the unidentified youns
lady has tied our hands at vital mo
. ment?
You said that the girl who conduct
+ ed you from the Rocky Cove house, in
;, timated that you might indeed see he
u -soon-under some strange condi
lions. Have you any idea what sh,
meant?"
Not the least" replied Tom; "onl,
wish l did. But she was mighty seri
Gus and solemn about it, l can tell yol
| that"
After much more consideration O
the difficulties confronting them, Val
l. Vechten offered the following pro
posal:
Although you are bound not t.
search for the Rocky Cove house, an
not under any such restraint There
is no reason why Flint and / shoult
not run over there and have try q
, It"
Rudy, can't stand for it," Ton
quietly, but none the less firmly, oh
jected.
: Look here, Tom" Van Vechten al
n at once grew very grave, and Their
was a new tone in his voice tina
caught Toms attention. Il am as in