Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-17

| I'm strong"
You would do that for her?' asked
| christopher.
"1f dared to propose It, II you
don't think tt would be considered too
| great Il liberty"
"A liberty! And you'd do 1t TO save
her-for another man."
| or course. that would be a great
| happiness for me TO keep in my mind,
| Mr.. Race. when thought back on
| what you call my missing chapter
| ! do wish you would tell me what you
think
~ think you're the best and most un.
seIhsh--yes, absolutely selfless-chap J
ever met, answered Christopher
: What f--your strength should fail
and you shouldn't get through? Chris.
topher asked. Mrs. darkness would
have to know, and
NO, she wouldn't There'd be no
good in her knowing. Pvc thought
that out already. and how to arrange
although there's no chance really. Of
such an ending. And should leave her
we'll provided for. You'd be doing mo
Dig favor IL YOU would lead up to
his with Miss Dalrympie. and find out
II she could feel ] was worthy"
so 1t came about that ChristopheI
was induced TO grant the big favor"
ana Miss Dalrymple not only thought
Mr. James darkness worthy of the high
honor he solicited, hut agreed with
christopher in thinking some very
sood things about the little mans
character which would have surprised
the little man himself.
They motored back to London. with
out broachinS the matter 10 Nou:ma
DaifEmpie: but on arrival there was
consultation with the great specialist
VINO approved Of Hardness physically
as much as the others did spiritually
I.f To II ,.I.l
the utmost difficulty persuaded to con-
sent to the experiment which might
mean life TO her. That was where
Scarlet Runner and Scarlet Runners
master slipped out OF the story. auo
into another so much more dramatic
so much more sensational In it's incl.
dents. that the strong impression
craven on Christopher's mind by
James lIarknesss missing chapter
might easily have been blurred. Eut
II was not So lie Thought constantly
OF the little man with the wistful eye.
of misunderstood dos aud the fea.
lures of provincial Napoleon. lilo
thought also oc Nourma Dalrymple and
was as Joyous as II the result had in
timateiy concerned himself when tho
first news (Which he had asked to
havel came telling Of the experiment
MI was going we'll. as far could
he known. and il was believed that tho
opinion OF the eminent specialist would
be triumphantiy justified.
Christopher had had To take up an
engagement immediately after return.
ing TO London with Hardness and tho
TWO Miss Dalrymplcs. This called him
. out of town. and he did not return un.
Ill nearly another fortnight had passed
ilis first though. AFTER getting back
was to 80 and see tho .\mcricau at =
Nursing home. the address Of which
by request. had been given him. Eut
4 IL. I Ia. T..
got telegram with some unexpected
tidinKb. and haVii been pronounced
strong enough /" move, had left at Il
haif-hours motto" Ther" was. how
ever. note for Mr. Race in ease he re-
membered his promise To pay visit
Am just OFF to set rooms for Mrs.
darkness and mys'lt at savoy Hotel,
Christopher read. scrubbed hastily in
pencil on = shiny thin card such a..
had Introduce the owner 10 Scarlet
Runners master. Airs. IL has
wired will arrive sooner th3n she
London some days. as she wants 10
shop: and would both be pleased II YOU
found time to call
Nothing further. No allusion to ths
past OF 10 the state Of his health; no
closing admonition not TO speak
word which might opcn 10 .! es not
meant 10 see leaf Of the missing
chapter. darkness trusted his new
friend. lie knew that such "a reminder
was Unnecessary and christopher felt
the more warmly drawn Ia the little
man because Of his silence
lie did call At the SAVOY tha' day.
and az such nn hour as 10 be almost
sure OF finding Mr.. ana Mrs. lanes
darkness at home. lie was not dis
appointed. They were in, and ne was
asked up 10 their private sitting room
II il had been Norma palrymple's
room she would have had il iuli Of
flowers. Flowers seemed TO come o.!
themselves where she WAS. l:ut Mrs
darkness had no such attraction for
the dover kingdom. There were flow
ers on tho center table. supplied by the
management for one OF tho best suites
in The house: and Mrs darkness had
presented herself with parcels. There
We're boxes and bales OF all sizes and
| shapes. Jus, arrived from various
shops: and there was Mrs. darkness
i'll the midst Of them all. 81 ;all. bust
ling woman OF no,iccabll rine figaro
no particular completion. rcstlcga light
eyes. and fIrm. fun chin. She was
the embodiment Of oracticaiity-seif
satisfied, wcll-drcsscd practicality: and
she and her husband ci.mc forward to
meet their guest she lowered over
him a good two inches in height
christopher had though, the American
small. bu; uow he seemed TO have
ShrunR 10 hati ms original size. The
brown eyes We're = kind and wiStful
as ever. and they lighted up with
| pleasure At sight OF him.
! why. yes said tho lady: Mr.
| Hardness has old M how iuc.;y Ii.
was 20 have Goitcn you and you? cele-
hrated automobile 10 take Elm a tip
! expect YOU both had nice time,
from what I've got out OF cir. IIarii-
ness. but I can't say his vacation IL
an auto seems TO have done him much
good. hv tho way &c looks. lie an
pears 20 me twice us tired ana peaked
as he did before | left him i, cur
homo some months ago. Eat he tells
nc he's all right
Tho: asked christopher TO stop TO
dinner. which they we're having early,
and TO so to the thcat"r with ,arm
! afterwards. but Christopher pleaded au
engagement.
Well he said when Hardness
went down with him 10 the door.
"It is we'll. The other answered
The big doctors mighty pleased with
her: thinks shes even better trln he.
hoped. guess 10 ono. not even you.
can undcrtsand what tina; means. nv
knowing tho happiness tha;'s surely
coming to her nov nill he lust =, ,iry
bit through mo. Nils bnI,vr,,,i, ~