The Washington herald., 1916-02-07

tance l take it, as have never seen you
before
From an admiring distance, said
the old man. looking at him fixedly. You
have your grandmothers eyes. She was
the most beautiful woman | ever saw
And she rode a horse as the seagull
rides the waves
Yes, said the duke, and she rode
until the day of her death. Ny first
pony was birthday gift from her. We
were great pals. she and L.
" Then you inherit her courage, and
! perhaps her-curiosity Will you come
with me, monsieur. 1t will be won
derful adventure
What cort?' asked the duke. Not
bonne fortune-you are too serious for
that
Come and see said the man. What
ever happens. ! give you my word OF
honor as gentleman that no harm will
befall you. Can you trust me?'
The duke looked down init the in
scrutable, but somehow honest eyes OF
the old man. Lord, yes he said And
even IL | couldn't Id see this thing
/ through
when they left the hotel a splendid
! carriage and two fine horses were wait
! ing to convey them on their journey.
| The Coachman and footman wore long
dark coats 10 cover their livery, but he
/ noticed royal cockades on their hats
! ." Now, monsieur said the man. hand
| ing him a long silk scarf. 'noblesse
| obliGe. In this adventure there Is ar
unsulied reputation TO protect. Pray
bandage your eyes SO that you may not
see the streets we enter or pass by. We
/ appreciate your visit tonight, but we
I shall not expect you again.
| Don't be too sure of that said tn,
| duke. ri come IL l want TO, but dart
say once will be enough And he band
aged his eyes with the bright -coloreC
scarf, which suggested the fresh frag
rance OF flower. AS he leaned back ir
| the carriage, he began to wonder II
after ALL he wasn't the victim of ridicu
lous plot. He had many gay friends II
| Paris In the Latin quarter, artists anc
students. who often played tricks upor
| each other. The man at his side wal
silent. quite half an hour must have
elapsed. and he felt the carriage max
| ing many turns through dark and silen
| streets. He could feel their bIacknes!
| through the light folds OF the siIker
| tissue. and he became possessed with &
desire to tear it of. Finally he said:
! :" This damned binder is getting or
my nerves and lifted his hand to re
move it,
| 4" One moment more said the man.
THE duke felt the carriage roll under
! a porte-Cochere. The sound was as Il
! they had crossed a little bridge.
! Give me your hand. monsieur saiC
| the man. We have arrived. Lift you1
! feet; there are steps in front of you II,
| felt himself guided to heavy iron rail
ing. Then he heard doors open and Close
| behind him, and when he pulled down tn,
| scarf he found himself standing in ar
| immense hall, with a pendentive dome
| and r great winding staircase II Wal
dimly lighted. hut he saw from a bright
| fire, burning in a large fireplace under
| meath vast carved mantlepiece, tha
the walls were covered in tapestries The
! thick rugs, brilliant in color, lay or
! squares Of Cream-cOlored and red mar
BILE, and at the end of the hall, beneath
! d medieval stained glass window, tn.
| flickerng light made shifting points o.
silver on various suits OF hns srmor
| This way, monsieur said the es-
| cort opening the door OF a large library
l wait here moment. II you will be
! so kind" And he noiselessly closed
the door. colossal table holding two