Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-22

CHAPTER III.
rf,r Masked BALL,

darE green and gold lace was giving his
services to 81 lady who was aliEhtinG
from the motor in front of him. Her
face was so striking that for few
second he forgot that he WAS stinly
and nechruically holding up II letter
designed for delivery to the magnificent
porter for Il luncheon guest I; WAS not
only her beauty which Christopher
found arrcSt!ns
'"rhat sirl can't he more than twenty
tour. il shes that. Yet the whole his
tory of the world seems looking out OF
her e!cs-anyhow, all the art. and
music and drama OF the world" was
the curious thought that ;umblcd into
his head.
Two men standing in the doorway
seemed equally Interested in the girl
one OF tn. men. AN elderly major, friend
al his rich Uncle. he knew slightly.
The other VIII" MAS young, exceedingly
well dressed and so good looking AS
to he almost picturesque. had pale olive
features which seemed vaguely familiar
10 Ihrisi"pher
"Ycs. sir: YOU called me, think,
sir?"
1t Was thc voice OF The green and
gold porter. lie had handed the lady
on; Of the motor car: the motor car
MAS gliding away: the major was shak-
inn: hands with the picturesque young
man
"ch--cr-yc yes" christopher answered
tho ri,ut bri*kly He thought that he
would not he sorry 10 escape u broad
side from the retired officer. Il want
to leave this letter for Lord Arrow
dale Hes to lunch here. believe, and
Will hc iuuuiriug for letter.
Very good, sir" said the porter. and
took the envelope. But he was not
quick enough to save christopher from
the major who came forward and said
all the thimsS that christopher had
known he would Say-Sivcn the chance.
Tho y"uug man answered civilly and
even explained without petulancc his
mention of Lord Arrowdalc's name.
NO | don't know him: never met him
in my life y friend wanted him to
try my car. Promised to leave note
here making AN appointment"
As lie talked on. from the tail of his
eye he watched the progress Of the
lady. she bad been met in the door
NAY by the picturesque young man.
and they We're speaking together now
with :. kind of suppressed eagcrncSs.
If il had no; seemed too ridiculously
couceited 10 fancy such thing. Chris
torhcY would have had the idea that
he was ;he subject of their converse
,iou
well. Ia, tn. Next time write OLE
.iamcv I'll tell him his ncphcw's look
iuG prosperous" said the major. aud
sided or without Il backward glance.
As h. did So, before christopher could
':uid, Scarlet Runner away. the pic
turcsGuc youn" man had left the girl
standing in the door and hurried for
ward
II bc2 your pardon. but may speak
Ia ,ou"" he explained.
Christopher paused. foot OH the
clutch pedal Another ear lurkcd
ready for Sc.,rle, tanners place. OF
must slip Ia ahcan.
What wan, is to ask ii YOU Will
lunch with u.s." the stranger rushed
on. by way OF holding the motorists
attention.
"l.unch with you echoed Christie
phrr a~,uaiShcd. You mistake me tor
some one cisc-'
mo, no." said the other Major
Norburu has told me everything. You
like .idvcnturesr You are invited TO
arrange one"
THAT caught christopher. as i, was
meant to. Very well, I'm with YOU"
sad he Aud perhaps he thought Of
the ladN, horinr 10 he with her AS
Well. IN s,ct out of the way here,
drive my car 10 the garage close by.
and come back
Without faili"
Without fail"
Five minutes later Christopher re-
turned walking so rapidly round the
CORNER that he took his host and hos
tess Caa wares. They were stiiI stand
ng 80 tn" wide doorway uf The fash
i"nahic new, cestavvan,. aud had not
expected hini. b:,j|t' SO soon. for they
Wer" deep III conversation
u Was only as christopher came
"i"sr upon them that she looked up
umh saw him, with "a star, of surprise.
rNi"entiN not wholly agreeable. though
h half-IniioG civilly The start
"aru"d he companion. aud he turned
!" Wc'rom" his guest with AN impul-
~" air when was rather engaging
yes certainly, he was extremely good
l"'iiHs christopher would barely
nave Guessed II possible for an Eng.
''ShH.'ii 10 he so picturesque In ordi-
Aat> rock Goa, ana silk hat: YET this
man Was EngliSn Your think I'm
.NSc' '" said smiling. "Eut even that's
''t'er Than - be commonplace. isn't
mea'y" said Christopher.
:, h'"Sh' you'd he Of that opinion,
You know my name"
From Mayor Norhuru Ey.u tho
nam" pi YOUR splendid car ~ ~.
SAM 49, nu .HtroGuctiou And now
WIZ tHir"uuc" you 10 Miss Douvr,>.
"ti vi Introduce myself Ny n.,,,,
- S""h} Fitzgerald: aud If some
"na t'se We're introducing me. he'd
n'"'"h'' tell you that don't do nnv-
u" "' sam" way as other ueonIn ="
'vh>"hh} Fitzgerald Tho vo,,ur
man iaudsouc ACE ana nrur,.
,'S"' 'H nN"u IT'S own hack.rouud ,,n".
''' mao written Il queer novel vi5,,,
"'"e " sensation on tho s,rou.,L t
ness aud out OF The novel II.
','H plaE which owed III.
<nn, l'' san" Quality. pcopl.