Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-03-06

scented flowers from his cap and
shifted them appreciatively.
"It's good to be in the country
again." he said. with a halfsigh.
docs Miss Marraby always Hive
here,"
mo: but her stepmother has just
died and she's looking after the boys.
They're only her stepbrothers, you
know"
II thought there wasn't much like.
ness" Peter said. absently. They're
jolly little chaps. anyway" They
had turned into the main road tina,
led to the village, and q man on
horseback coming slowly up the road
had pulled up sharply as he saw
Peter and called out to him:
'Lyster-by all that's wonderful.
Ny dear fellowr' He leaned down
from the saddle and held his hand TO
Peter. but after the flrst blank look
81 unreco6nition Peter had drawn
back o step.
I'm sorry-I'm afraid :" He
cofored sensitively and glanced APP
pealingiy at Arnott. I'm AT aid j
don't remember you." ne said. with n
sort OF nervousness.
Harley Seton stared. mot re.
member me-what the dickens. I'm
Harley Seton, man! Not remember
me! Why was with you in town
the night before you left Engiandr'
He laughed. and slapped Peter on
his broad shoulder. mot remember
mo! Come, come. that's a good joker
Peter laughed. I'm sorry, but
just for the moment" He shook
hands with the elder man reluctant.
ly. There was an awkward pause.
then. Are you-er-living down
here?" Peter asked.
Arnott felt horribly sorry for him
He knew perfectly we'll that Peter
had no more idea than the dead TO
whom he was talking.
1--WE taken a house for the sum
mer," Seton answered. You must
come and see me. It's en- odd coin
cidence meeting you. I Travelled
down from town last week with n
friend of yours-Miss Marraby"
Miss Marraby is a friend OF Ar
MOTIFS" Lyster said quickly. MAY
introduce you? Arnott--this is
Mr.. Harley Seton"
Arnott nodded. There was @ few
minutes desultory conversation: then
Seton gathered up. the reins and said
he must be going. AS soon as he
was out of ear.shot Peter broke ont
with a sort OF rage:
II don't know who he rs. It's
It's damnable! This is the sort or
thing I'm In constant dread Of. IL
makes me look, such, g. confoundea
fool. Some day I suppose some wo-
man will turn up. and declare she'r
my wife-and I shan't be In O posi-
ton to contradict her II she does"
Rubbish" Arnott said briskiy.
You're a lot better already-and.
anyway. there's nothing to be-
ashamed OF. I've heard my sister
speak Of Harley Sefton--he's taken
big house over at Little Gladden.
We'll. what Ia, he. I should like to
known" Lyster asked irritably. "He
seems to consider that I'm a greet
friend Of his. anyway"
Hes q moneylender. ] believe"
Arnott said. "A money!ender in
rather a big way-got a paiatia'
Office in town."
Lyster stopped aud looked back
down the road. The man On horse.
back had drawn rein again and had
turned in the saddle and was looking
back at the two young men.
I'm going back to speak to him,
Peter said suddenly he strobe bacls
down the road.
Look here" he said. abruptly.
when he reached Seton. I'm sorry
IL ought to have known you and
didn't, but-but IL you must know
the truth, IL had nasty knock
out blow in France. and well.
my memory isn't what 1t ought to
be. didn't mean to be Intentionally
rude. It's q sore subject with me
perhaps I'm abeurdiy sensitive about
1t, but but that's the truth.
hope you believe me"
my dear chapel course, I'm
only too sorry. Come along and see
me some day. live at the Red
House at Little Gadsden."
Peter thanked him rather off.hand'
eddy: he was wondering painfully IL
he had ever really been O great
friend Of this mans: he was not par.
ticularly prepossessed In mis- favor
| now at any rate.
Go BE Continued