Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-01-10

and she disliked to have the appear
ance OF unconventionality. After the
first minute she was not so 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-
ton.
Il 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"
"Ah. mademoiselle is but too kind!"
He bowed deeply again. hat In hand.
Il thank you profoundly. And may
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
monds heart by the strangers gran
diloquent words. Unconsciously her
features relaxed, though she did not
reply.
Again I pray mademoiselle to par
don me. but only a moment past
heard the song-the song that might
be the sigh of all the daughters OF
Italy. All, Mademoiselle, 1t is won
derful! But here in this SO fresh
country, this youthful. boisterous. too
prosperous country. that song. is like
I-ike-like Arabian spices in kitch-
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
now not far away.
The stranger looked appealingly at
her, seemingly sure of 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
lily. 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 a 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?
''It appeared to me. Mademoiselle.
that 1t was likely to rain"
"Put It down again. 1t 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 on
the step she said sharply. but in low
voice. ITO the Plaza quickly" then
istic practical turn: But don't get
yourself arrested for speeding"
mo. Mademoiselle. with this car I
can make" Even as the chauffeur
replied. Miss Redmond's sharpened
senses detected a 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 1t with stronger
hold, and stepped in close after her.
The chauffeur was in his seat, the
car was moving slowly. now faster
nd fho
tenance slid very near her own, while
firm hands against her shoulders
crowded her into the farther corner
OF the tonneau.
20 Renaud-Hand!" she cried. but
the driver made no sign. Help, helpi"
she shrieked. but the cry was In
stantly choked into a feeble protest.
A mass of something. pressed to her
mouth and nostrils. melted her to
superhuman efforts. She struggled
frantically, and succeeded in getting
her head for an instant at the open
ing, while she clutched her assailant
and held him helpless. But only for
a moment. The firm large hand quick
ly overpowered even the strength In
duced by frenzy, and In another min
ute sne was lying unreslstlnB on the
soft cushions of the tonneau.
The car careened through the
streets. the figure Of the unrespon-
sive Hand Knocked her cries for help.
the neat hard face of the stranger
continued to bend over her. Then
everything swan in a maelstrom OF
duller and duller sense. the world
grew darker and fainter. till finally It
was lost in silence.