The Washington times., 1913-09-18
CHAPTER II.
ECIDEDLY charmin;

CHAPTER II.
IN ECIDEDLY charming in mo-
ments of mirth, l decided,
was this young hunter of
meni There was merriment
In her eyes as well as laughter upon her
lips. She had undergone a sudden
transformation that was as surprising
az il was agreeable. 1t caused me to
stare at her in manner which, under
ordinary circumstances, would have
PASSED for rudeness: but 1 decided that
I was well entitled to scrutinize as
reicutIessiy as 1 pleased this woman
who had some mysterious business with
me-. =.s
suddenly she sobered and appeared to
consider the point Of my inquiry, which
had rolled SO smoothly from my tongue
that II astonished me. What put it
into my head have not the least idea,
nor had / the faintest desire or need
OF any Information whatever. concern
ing the daring Spaniard who first look
ed upon the rolling deeps of the mother
of all oceans.
never was able to pass my history
examinations she answered, with
thoughtful wrinkling of her forehead.
Are you sure it was Balboa"
OH Quitei" --.--
Somehow, l always get him mixed
With De Sofa" Her face was still
grave, but there was suspicious trem-
bling At the corners of her mouth.
IT yas Balboa" said, with an en-
phtde nod.8@Vasco Nunez Balboa
there'ssthe whole name for you"
Your memory is astonishing" she
observed. judicially. Nevertheless, 1
suspect you are thinking of vasco da
Cana Didn't he do something"
"Balboa-for nickel" / CHALLENGED.
VERY well-for a nickelr
And it was some time in the Six
teenth Century"
THE Fifteenth" she. corrected.
For another nickel?"
"Dene."
Now well go down to the reading
room and settle it"
As We descended the great marble
staircase and made our way to the ref
erence library / stole two Or three
giances at her. She went along quite
comeoesdly. looking straight ahead; but
] suspect that she appreciated the COM
plete absurdity of our quest as fully
as ].
This lady," said to the clerk. 'is
exceedingly interested in Balboa"
My companion gave me an indignant
glance of reproach.
She would like to know upon what
date he discovered the Pacific ocean,
L continued. Can you tell herr"
That wasn't fair she protested.
q page in a big book Il haven't the
least interest in Balboa"
t. / reminded her. Your interest is
financial, IL not historical"
September 2o, 1513,'' said the clerk.
pushing the big book toward US, with
his finger marking line.
The sixteenth century" comment
ed, gravely."
As we walked away from the desk,
she opened q silver purse and found a
uime among the coins 1t contained.
Thank you,'' / said, as / dropped it
into my pocket That was cheap for
Important she echoed. as we
strolled toward the entrance. DO you
portantF
the date already" L answered, promptly.
She stole a swift glance at me. and
then burst into laughter again.
"A very foolish and futile quest" she
declared when her mirth slackened.
BY no means" ! assured her. In
that Balboa, Immediately following his
discovery. sat down and ate lunch"
..Nonsense!"
But let's assume that he did; 1t
won't damage history. He must have
been furiously hungry after climbing all
those mountains. Now. why not emu
late Balboa?
She gave me a sidelong look of in
quiry, with a slight lifting OF her eye
And eat lunch" l added.
but we haven't discovered any
thingw
that everything has been discovered.
we can at least discover the lunch"
She pursed her lips doubtfully and
appeared to consider.
And I'm very hungry" / added. Il
haven't climbed any mountains. but 1
have walked much"
She looked at me sharply, colored
faintly, and then quickly withdrew her
iHaye you a choice of restaurants?"
asked. as We descended the library
steps. -
Not when I'm as hungry as bear"
We'll. j was giving her the oppor-
tunity she sought. II she had played
me edrpitly, so as to reverse the posi-
tons OF pursuer and pursued, did not
care particularly. What / could not
iathorl, however. was her apparent re-
iuctance ard hesitation. which only
senisitsd during her moments of amuse-
fpent. Unless it was studied part of
the play, } could see no reason for her
nIanilsr
1 had very obliginsly assisted her I'm
Performing the first part of her errand
a tasE which seemed TO be giving her |
fii,sh perpiexity. She knew, of course. |
that had been, aware of her pursuit, |
Tot she could scarcely suspect that ! |