Page:The Mystery of Central Park.djvu/215

Rh her air castles as she told them to me. Not amused—no. I can't say what the feeling was. Even when she lay awake some nights and I knew she was painting her future, I laughed aloud at the strangeness of it all.

I counted the nights. Every one found my preparations nearer completion.

Carefully I removed all trade marks and names from every garment I had bought her. The gloves and Suéde shoes only bore their size. I took the crown lining out of the hat, and before I brought her dress home I removed the inside belt, which was stamped with the name of the man who made it.

The dress was the last article but one I brought to my apartment. I did not even show myself at the establishment where the gown was made. I drove near the place, and, hiring a messenger boy, sent him in for the garment. In this way I preserved the secret of my identity.