The Chase of the Golden Plate

country road. There were the usual twittering birds and dew-spangled trees and nodding wild-flowers; also a dust that

ough burlap sack, laden heavily, yet economically as to space, wallowed in the dust beside her. Her hair was tawny gold, and rebellious strands drooped listlessly about her face.

examined her at his leisure. She stared back at Signor Re

to cry!" exclaimed

the Girl's blue eyes and lingered there a moment, then her white

tired and hungry and I just know

e her journey, turning to stare down at the bag. It was an unsightly symbol of bl

aps I might hide it." She considered the question. "No, that wouldn't do. I must take

in arose and plodded off through the dust with the bag swinging over one shoulder. At last-there is an at last to everything-a small house appeared

" she declared with her first show of enthusi

ring in her leaden heels and with a new and fi

nd I suppose I am," she added as she stopped and rested the bag on the ground. "At least I have stolen goods in my possession. Now, what shall I say if they

n she had intended-and the knife followed to keep it company. Having relieved herself of these sinister things, she s

istent story of a bicycle accident, which ended with a plea for a cup of coffee. Silently she proceeded to prepare it. After the pot was bubb

ent?" sh

replied

g-mach

N

he Angel settled and p

order,

irl replied

do you

I-I--" S

n the bag?" the

stammered the Girl, and her f

ind of

lplessness. Tears started, and one pearly drop ran down her perfect nose and splashed in the c

she pleaded. "I'm a poor, foolish, hel

y arm about the Girl's shoulders. "There, there!" she said soothingly. "Don't

I've walked miles and miles and miles," the Girl rushed on

ng," command

the biscuits were yellow and lumpy and delicious; the eggs we

you?" she dema

blushed a

ned to say. "I

world till you marry a man that beats you," sa

the point, this repression required heroism. Perhaps she will never get credit for it. She fini

y?" asked

to go. What is the ne

er stay and rest a while.

the Girl gratefully. "But it w

shook it inquiringly, then started

d the Girl suddenly. "I-I-

he Angel in her arms and placed upon her unresponsive lips a kiss for which a mere man would have endangered his im

sillusionment, and the kindness of an utter stranger all occupied her until she fell asleep. Then she was chased by

irst; then she remembered. After a moment she heard the voice of the Angel,

ond r

rily her hands were clasped together. Her rings were st

a bag?" inqu

he Ange

k room noiselessly. Every shadow lent her new fears. Then from below came the sound of heavy footsteps. She liste

nally the door was pushed open and a huge figure-the figure of a man-appeared

re," he called gruf

and the Angel entered, her face dis

d's sakes!"

ossed the room and closed a window. "You ain't got no better sense