New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-05-10

five guincas before the years end, the
bargain was off. and he need wait nc
longer, before deciding IN what wOr
thy institution he would bestow his
money.
Thai wire was sent or two days
ago from my last lodgings. ] nearly
missed getting 1t, but when l did get
il, | put pride in my pocket, started
out, procured a license, turned my
beautiful Scarlet Runner into a con
veyance for public convenience, and
had had two hours bad luck when |
ran across you. / hope | haven't bored
you?'
o the contrary, you have enter
tanned me-" replied the other. 'But
we are in Kensington already, are we
not? 1t seems impossible"
"In three minutes / shall land YOU
ut Desmond House." said Christopher.
"You are at my disposal for the eve
ming, l believe said Christopher's
passenger, as Scarlet Runner entered
the drive and slowed down for its APP
proach to the door. my car may
come, or it may not. In any case, l
wish you to wait. And-there is Il
question | could ask only of Il gentle
man. | have shown some curiosity in
regard to you. DO you retaliate?'
Il have no curiosity" said Christo-
pler.
Il mcan-whatever you would pre-
fer me to mean, sir"
"Thank you. In sure you are as
discreet as you are original. Au re-
voir."
Ten minutes passed, may be. and the
thoughts of Christopher Race had
glided from the affairs of his late pas
Scnger to his own. He was wondering
when he might expect to get his din
ner, when the n thing which of all
others he did not expect happened.
Close to Scarlet Runner appeared the
figure which n few minutes ago had
been tremendously ushered into the
house.
Surprised, but hiding surprise at
sight of the guest of the evening, I'M
escorted and out of doors when he
ought to have been engaged with his
oysters. Christopher sprang from his
seat and awaited orders.
saunders hotel, Charles street. Pail
Mall-quick !! said the crisp voice
with the foreign accent.
Christopher drove IN, in a reflective
mood and at a pace to suit it. until he
had reached Charles street. There, ut
the door which had given him his fare
and his adventure, he stopped.
"Go in and inquire if Lord Thanet
and Lady Ivy de Lisle have come" the
foreign voice directed brusquely.
C~hristophcr's face made no comment
on these instructions, but that was be-
cause he had the habits of a man of
the world. Within, he was excited and
curious. for the earl of Thanet and
his daughter were distant cousins of
Christopher Race. and naturally he
would have liked to know the why and
wherefore of his majesty's interest in
their movements.
His majesty had a cOnsort to whom
he was devoted, and he was not to be
tempted to a filtration ven by such a
beauty as Lord Thanet's twenty-year-
old daughter, who had been one of the
successes of last season. But, then, q
man highly placed is occasionally I'M
selfish enough to interest himself in a
girl for the sake of another man who
needs an advocate. And there were
two men whose ame Christopher had
heard coupled with Lady Ivy de Isles.
Either might have persuaded this
sovereign to plead his cause with the
girls father, for both could claim his
country as the land Of their birth.
One was Baron Won Hess, the nor
mOusly rich inventor of the latest
quick-tiring gun adopted by the
triple alliance; the other was young
Max Lind-whom Christopher had
known slightly and admired greatly
at O~XfOrd-the son Of a notorious So
who had adopted England for
a country when banished from his
own A year or two ago there had
been a rapprochement between Max
the elder and an outraged monarch,
and a place in the diplomatic service
young Max had been held out as
an olive branch.
AS Christopher started to obey or
ders he hoped that this mysterious
visit had to do with Max Lind and Ivy
de Isle.
His hand was on the door, when a
call from his employer gave him pause.
stop" said the great man. II left
Il letter here for-let me see-waS it
for Lord Thanet or his daughter?-
one of the two; l really forget to
which l addressed 1t. That letter I |
want back. l have changed my mind
and prefer to write a different one. If
Lord Thanet has not arrived, or if he
has arrived, but has not yet read the ]
.etter, 1 wish to have it again. Should ,
learn, on the other hand, that the ,
etter has already been received, l will t
send a message"
Christopher went in somewhat be- !
yildered. hut knowing that somehow {
he must succeed in accomplishing his
'rrand. [
In the entrance hall stood an old I
nan and a girl, O~bsequiously attended
~ all the hotel authorities, from the
'lderly manager down to the still more
headwaiter.
The mans back was turned to Chris =
Opher. but there was no installing +
he silver sheen of the hair or the SOL Il
lierly set of the shoulders. The girl, S
however. faced the front door. and t