The Washington times., 1913-09-19

passive mood. asserting readily
TO any suggestions / made, ant
venturing none of her own. w,
sirolled through the Mall, wen
into the National Museum for &
little while. talking about matter.
which were not uppermost in the minds
OF either of us, each furtively watching
the other for a sign, a gesture, word
that might lead toward some sort OF
a Climax.
did not make the slightest effort
to help her out of her difficulties. l waS
as much consumed with curiosity as
ever, yet was resolved that the next
move in this apparently purposeless
puzzle should be hers.
Finally it came. We were on the
Avenue again, walking slowly back
toward the Capitol, and there had been
q considerable period of silence on
both sides. accompanied by visibly
growing agitation in her manner. She
seemed as If she were continually on
the point of bursting out with some ex-
clamation. yet always checking it on
her lips.
''WiII you do me a favor?'' she asked.
suddenly.
OF course, i replied
There was excitement in her eyes. a
faint quaver in her voice. / wondered
II this was more acting.
You viii think It L very extraordi-
nary request she went on.
Would 1? l was not so sure about
that. The who.e affair mad been CA
traordinary TO me-
Please make IT," ] said
1t will take your whole evening" She
pursued. StiIl the same queer reIuc-
tance to get down to 1acts.
i have no engagement My evening
is at your disposal
nn, snouTulI /, 1 be? l still mad as
n.ucn to .earn as she; in truth, NOR.
tor she knew VINO 1 was. ana 1 ndQ
not the !rasl uouUn who she was.
I Want you 70. act as any escort "
i snail ue nonoreu, l SAD, bowIng.
Sne paused again un.il we had covered
auoIiler hail pIock-
10 you u4iIu wearing evening
dress Was her next question.
NO. l don't mino, l said, iauShin.
Can you be ready at about >
o'clock"
Maze It $50 O'Clock" she added.
alter a moments thought
Certainly. Ana, where snail CAL
for you?
This at frst seemed to be a problem
for her, but at last she replied:
You cannot caIl Ior ME. oh, l know
il SOUNDS quite irregular; uut please
cont ask nie Why. You Will have to
meet me.
AN right, Ill meet you; Where"
Anywhere will do"
How about here, them l suggested.
..we { were at Twelfth and the Avenue.
h. led
Here at $50
Just then the thought came into my
mind that this might probably be the
termination of the whole incident; yet
could not conceive her having made
such an unusual request If she WAS not
sincere. She evidently OWNED my
thought, for she asked quickly:
Are you afraid that l may not keep
the engagement?
Il was considering that possibility"
confessed
But / will keep it, she went on. hur-
riedly. j shall be here at $50. You
may be absolutely sure of it
II no longer have any doubt" | said,
graveIy. Shall we need taXi?''
Il will have one" she answered. And
now, good afternoon-and thank you
She gave me her hand for instant.
ami then stepped out into the street TO
hail a passing car. II was clear that !
was not to follow her 1drtntT. aItnOhS
she did not in SO many words ask me
10 leave her.
As the car slowed down, and I pre-
pared to assist her at the step, I said,
suddenly:
May / ask where we are going?"
She hesitated for an instant, then
turned to ne from the car platform and
said. In low tone:
ITO the White House"
The door swung shut. and the car
moved off down the Avenue. ] stood
staring at II for full minute. a
vision in my mind Of 4 slender. brown
clad figure. leaning forward and almost
whispering a sentence that astonished
me as much as any event OF the past
several hours.
To the White House.
What business had / at the White
BoUse-or she?
had an almost overpowering impulse
20 pursue the disappearing car and com
pei this woman OF mystery to tell me
more. Yet 7 know. toe. down in my
heart that she would not fail me. And
] felt as strongly as ] could feel any
thing. that here was an adventure
which Vas lust upon the threshold
ITO the white Horsc for you. Dan
Mansfield 7 said. half aloud. as
srnng about and started on AT a brisk
walk And with a pretty lady, And
you don't even know her name. Care
%,rl F,,I