Putnam patriot., 1913-09-05

was obliged 10 ~ai, some time for certain matters to be looked up, and these she left behind her. The hat Is covered with long. handsome plumes of the color of rich cream in coffee"
 Young Dunham glanced down at the cloth of the girls gown. and was startled to find the same rich creamy coffee tint in its silky folds: yet she did not show by so much as flicker of an eyelash that she was passing under the keenest inspection.
 Why should she want to disap- pear?" The question was asked eeolly and with as much interest as stranger would be likely to show.
 T cannot imagine" said the old man speeulatively. She apparently had health and happiness, if one may judge from her appearance, and she came to me of her own free will on a matter of business. Immediately after her disappearance, two we'll dressed men entered my office and inquired for her. One had an intel lectual head, but looked hard and cruel; the other was very handsome and disagreeable. When he could not find the young lady. he laid claim to her hat. but had it locked away. How could I know that man was her friend or her relative? I intend to keep that hat until the young woman herself claims it. 1 have not had any thing happen that has so upset me in years"
 You don't think any harm has come to herr" questioned the girl
 ''I cannot think what harm could. and yet-it is very strange. She was about the age of my dear daughter when she died. and 1 cannot get her out of her mind. When you first ap- peared in the doorway you gave me quite start. I thought you were she. If can find any trace of her, mean to investigate this matter l have feeling that that girl needs q friend"
 T am sure she would be very happy to have a friend like you" said the girl, and there was something in the eyes that were raised to his that made the Judges heart glow with admiration
 Thank you" said he warmly. That is most kind of you. But per haps she has found better friend by this time. 1 hope SO"
 "Or one as kind" she suggested in a low voice.
 The conversation then became gen. oral and tha pirl did nnt look m for several seconds: but the young man on her right, who had not missed a word of the previous tete-a-tete, could not give attention to the story Mrs. Blackwell was telling, for pondering what he had heard.
 The ladies now left the table, and though this was the time that Dun- ham had counted upon for an ae- quaintanee with the great judge who might hold future career in his power. he could not but wish that be might follow them to the other room He felt entire confidence in his new friends ability to play her part to the end but he wanted to watch her. to study her and understand her, if perchance he might solve the mystery that was ever growing more intense about her
 As she left the room his eyes fol- lowed her. His hostess, in passing behind his chair, had whispered
 T don't wonder you feel so about her She is lovely. But please don't begrudge her to us for few minutes. l promise you that you shall have your innings afterwards"
 Then, without any warning and ut- terly against his will, this young man of much experience and self-control blushed furiously, and was glad enough when the door closed behind Mrs. Bowman.
 Miss Remington walked into the drawing room with a steady step but with a rapidly beating heart. Her real ordeal had now come. She cast about in her mind for subjects of converse. tion which should forestall unsafe topics, and intuitively sought the pro- tection of the judges wife. But imme- diately she saw her hostess making Sti dlSnl lOI lub liliit 1HlpDtuudl6 chair beside her
 My dear. it is too lovely" she be- gan. 80 opportunel Do tell me how long you have known Tryon?"
 The girl caught her breath and gath cred her wits together. She looked up shyly Into the pleasant curious eyes of Mrs. Bowman, and a faint gleam of mischief came into her face.
 Why" Her hesitation seemed only natural and Mrs Bowman de- cided that there must be something very special between these two. "Why, not so very long, Mrs Bowman-not as long as you have known him." She finished with a smile which Mrs. Bow man decided was charming.
 "Oh, you sly child!" she exclaimed. playfully tapping the round cheek with her fan. Did you meet him when he was abroad this summer?"
 "Oh. no. indeed!" said the girl. laughing now in spite of herself "0h, no; it was after his return"
 Then it must have been in the Adirondacks," went on the determined interlocutor. Were you at" But the girl interrupted her. She could not afford to discuss the Adirondacks. and the sight of the grand piano across the room had given her an idea.
 MT Durham told me that you would like me to play something for you, as your musician friend has failed you. shall be very glad to, If 1t will help you any. What do you care for? Something serious or something gay? Are you fond of Chopin, or Beethoven,