The Pulaskian., 1919-07-11
CHAPTER VII.

epun-0oid Hair, Blue Eyes and vari-
 ous Encounters.


 She was quite unaware of his pres ence, and yet he was directly in her path, though some distance away. Her head was bent; her mien was thought ful. her stride slow and aimless.
 She was slender, graceful and evil dently quite tall, although she seemed a pigmy among the towering giants that attended her stroll Her hands were thrust deep into the pocket of a white duck skirt. A glance revealed white shoes and trim ankles in blue. She wore no hat. Her hair was like spun gold, thick, wavy and simmer ing in the subdued light
 Suddenly she stopped and looked up. He had a full view of her face as she gazed about as if startled by some un- expected, even alarming sound. For second or two he held his breath, stunned by the amazing loveliness that was revealed to him. Then she dis covered him standing there.
 In a flash he realized that he was face to face with the stranger of the day before. He took two or three im- pulsive steps forward. his hand going to his hat-and then halted. Evident ly his senses had deceived him. There was no smile in her eyes-and yet he could have sworn that it was there an instant before. Instead there was q evel stare.
 T am sorry if startled--" he be- gan.
 The figure of a man appeared as if discharged bodily from some magic tree-trunk, and stood directly in his path--a tall, rugged man in overalls was he, who held spade in his. hand md eyed him inimically. Without an- other glance in his direction the first ana more pleasing vision turned on her heel and continued her stroll, sauntering off to the right, her fair mead once more bent in study, her back eloquently indifferent to the gaze that followed her.
 Who do you want to seer" inquired the man with the spade.
 Before Barnes could reply a hearty otce accosted him from behind. He Vhirled and saw O'Dowd approaching, not twenty yards away. The Irish mans face was aglow with pleasure.
 T knew I couldn't be mistaken in he shape of you" he cried, advancing With outstretched hand. You've got 'he breadth of a dockhand in your shoulders and the trimness of prize hghter in your waist"
 They shook hands 'T fear I am trespassing," said Barnes. His glance went over his shoulder as he spoke. ihe man with the spade had been swal- owed up by the earth He could not nave vanished more quickly in any tuner way. Off among the trees were intermittent flashes of blue and white.
 am quite sure you are" said oDowd promptly but without trace ol unfricndliness in his manner Be uau' loving him as I do, I can't help saying that Curtis is bally old crank. Siihd ye, I'd say it to his face-I often "o' TOT the matter of that. Of course, ne went on seriously, "he is sick man. poor devil. You see I've known ,'im for dozen years and more, and ne Akes me, though God knows why, un'ess 1t may be that I once did his sol a good turn in London"
 ouihclent excuse for reparation. l suOulQ SaVv crniIod parrac
 . introduced the lad to me only sis e'' said ODowd, "and she kept him aappy for the next ten years. No .,ouot also provided MT. Curtis with salee Grandchildren he might never ,,"se mad but for my graciousness. ' 'ook of distress came into his merry N'es. By love, I'd like nothing bet