The state herald., 1913-03-28

anee OF unconventionality. After the
hrst minute she was not 30 much
AFRAID as annoyed. Her voice became
frigid. though her dignity was some
what damaged by the fact that she
bungled in giving the desired informa-
tion.
| I think monsieur will find Van
Cortlandt Hall in the College grounds
two blocks south-no, north-of the
gateway yonder. at the upper end OF
this walk"
All, mademoiselle is but too kind!"
He bowed deeply again. hat in hand.
Il thank you profoundly. And may
l say, also, that this wonderful pic
ture-" here he spread eloquent hands
toward the half-quiescent city whose
thousand eyes glimmered over the
lower distance-"this panorama of oc-
cidental life, makes peculiar appeal
to the imagination?"
The springs of emotion. touched po-
tently as they had been by the surg
Ing recollections Of the last half-hour,
were family stirred again in Miss Red
mond's heart by the strangers gran
eloquent words. Uneonsciously her
features relaxed. though she did not
reply.
Again pray mademoiselle to par
don me. but only moment past I
heard the song-the song that might
be the sigh of all the daughters Of
Italy. All, Mademoiselle. 1t is won
pnt hnr ~
country. this youthful. boisterous. too
prosperous country, that song is like
-like-like Arabian spices In a htch-
en. Is 1t not so?"
Miss Redmond was moving up the
steps toward the entrance. hesitating
between the desire to snub her inter.
locutor and to avoid the appearance
of fright. The man. meanwhile.
moved easily beside her. courteously
distant, discourteously insistent in
his prattle. But the motor-car was
now not far away.
The stranger looked appealingly at
her, seemingly sure of a humorous an
swering look to his pleasantly. 1t
was not wholly denied She yielded
to touch OF amusement with cool
smile, and hastened her steps. The
man kept pace without effort. Luck
fly, the car stood only few feet away,
with Renaud. or rather Hand. at the
curb, holding open the door. A vague
bow and lifting OF the hat. and ap-
parently the stranger went the other
way. She felt foolish relief. and at
the same instant noted with surprise
that the cover OF her car had been
raised.
Why did you raise the top?"
1T appeared to me. Mademoiselle
that It was likely to rain"
Put It down again. It will not
rain" Miss Redmond was saying
when. from sidelong eyes. she saw
that the stranger had not turned in
the other direction. after all. but was
almost in her tracks. as though he
were stalking game. With foot or
the step she said sharply. but In low
voice. ITO the Plaza quickly" then
Immediately added. with character
istic practical turn: But don't gel
yourself arrested for speeding"
mo. Mademoiselle. with this car
can make" Even as the chauffeur
replied. Miss Redmond's sharpened
senses detected n passage Of glances
between him and the stranger. now
close behind her.
She sprang into the tonneau and
seized the door. but not before the
man had caught at II with stronger
hold. and stepped In close after her
The chauffeur was In his seat the
car was moving slowly. now faster
and faster. Suddenly the bland coun
tenance slid very near her own, while
firm hands against her shoulders
crowded her into the farther corner
OF the tonneau.
20 Ronaud-Handl" she cried, but
the driver made no sign. Help. helpl'
she shrieked. but the cry was In
stantly choked into n feeble protest
mass OF something. pressed to hel
mouth and nostrils. melted her tc
superhuman efforts. She struggled
franticaiiy, and succeeded In gettIns
! her head for nm instant at the open
ing. while she clutched her nssailanI
and he'd him helpless. But only fol
a moment. The firm large hand quick
ly overpowered even the strength In
duced by frenzy. and In another min
ute she was lying unresisting on tn,
soft cushions OF the tonneau.
J The car cnreened through the
streets. the ngure OF the unrcspun
sive Hand Knocked her cries for help
J the neat hard face OF the stranger
continued to bend over her Then
everything swan In n maclstrom ol
dullcr and dullor sense. the world
J grew darker and fainter. TN finally II
was lost In silence.
CHAPTER N.