Part 67

"Here, Moses," said Croyden, "take this letter down to the post office--I want it to catch the first mail."

"I fancy you haven't heard of the stranger since last evening?" Macloud asked.

Croyden shook his head.

"And of course you haven't told any one?"

"Yes, I have!" said Croyden.

"A woman?"

"A woman."

"How strange!" commented Macloud, mockingly. "I suppose you even told her the entire story--from the finding of the letter down to date."

"I did!--and showed her the letter besides. Why shouldn't I have done it?"

"No reason in the world, my dear fellow--except that in twenty-four hours the dear public will know it, and we shall be town curiosities."

"We don't have to remain," said Croyden, with affected seriousness--"there are trains out, you know, as well as in."

"I don't want to go away--I came here to visit you."

"We will go together."

"But we can't take the Symphony in Blue!"

"Oh! that's it!" Croyden laughed.

"Certainly, that's it! You don't think I came down here to see only you, after having just spent nearly four weeks with you, in that fool quest on Greenberry Point?" He turned, suddenly, and faced Croyden. "Who was the woman you told?"

"Miss Carrington!" Croyden laughed. "Think she will retail it to the dear public?"

"Oh, go to thunder!"

"Because, if you do, you might mention it to her--there, she goes, now!"

"Where?" said Macloud, whirling around toward the window.

Croyden made no reply. It was not necessary. On the opposite side of the street, Miss Carrington--in a tailored gown of blue broadcloth, close fitting and short in the skirt, with a velvet toque to match--was swinging briskly back from town.

Macloud watched her a moment in silence.

"The old man is done for, at last!" Croyden thought.

"Isn't she a corker!" Macloud broke out. "Look at the poise of the head, and ease of carriage, and the way she puts down her feet!--that's the way to tell a woman. God! Croyden, she's thoroughbred!"

"You better go over," said his friend. "It's about the tea hour, she'll brew you a cup."

"And I'll drink it--as much as she will give me. I despise the stuff, but I'll drink it!"

"She'll put rum in it, if you prefer!" laughed Croyden; "or make you a high ball, or you can have it straight--just as you want."

"Come along!" exclaimed Macloud. "We're wasting time."