, 1882-07-14

O. .HH .. N" 10 w. lfNANhAl anu lIll''ENll's
The governor quickly dispatched
rn. lu.l with his rifle, and then, as
'nr herd wer" evidently growing un.
easy, the whole parts rode rapidly
umn Thanks and introductions
Nar, practically delayed. although
tun Stranger knew that no thanks
ur introduction would ever be more
satisfactory to him than the glance
m had received III the swifte>t mo-
mrut from lmogen"
Duyul was very unhappy. He
wondered if he had behaved in a
cpwardly manner The whole affair
had been So sudden and rapid he
could neither analyze his feelings nor
hi, actions. Imogene had only said
that she quite excused him Had
there there been anything to excuse?
And then this stranger. He was
quite as inexplicable. Governor De
Forest had simply introduced him as
"NI. John Winthrop" He was a little
man, with plain, positive face. His
skin was tanned, his hair light, and
his eyes of that steely blue which al
ways annoys weak and incapable per
sons.
Mr.. Winthrop made very light of
/ the adventure, and gave all credit of
of the rescue to the Governor, except
! perhaps for one moment in which he
and Imogene once more exchanged
eyes. The news spread through the
little town. and Fontaine was very
indignant at fate. IF only he had
been with Miss Imogene! Managing
wild cattle was a trihe to him. He
would rather have enjoyed the en-
counter than otherwise. He had half
a dozen plans ready for such emer-
gencies as that" etc. And really he
did look so gallant and handsome
that most girls would have been will
ing to face a herd of wild buffalo
under his protection ......
Duval felt Fontaine's bravado a
personal slight, but he did not wish
to make Imogene the subject of a
quarrel, and after a rather unsatis-
factory visit, the two went home to-
gether. ..
However, next morning Captain
Fontaine had the most graceful little
note from Miss Imogene, asking him
to bring his guitar and assist her in
entertaining a few guests that even
ing. Duval had also one equally fiat
tering; for it touchingly referred to
their mutual danger and escape and
hoped he would come prepared to
finish the exquisite poem which had
been so terribly interrupted.
The evening was remarkable one
in many respects. Scarcely ever had
the ex-governor's mansion been so
profusely decorated and so brilliantly
Illuminated, and to the magnificent
feast prepared all the principal mag
mates of the neighborhood had been
invited.
Imogene had never looked 80 be-
wilderingly unreal and poetic. Her
oval face, with its creamy color and
soft dark eyes, was crowned with
great waves eff dark hair and snowy
flowers, and her long drapery o. some
soft silky tissue seemed to SHIN
mer and glance like a fairy robe,
as, with winning smiles and gracious,
graceful manners, she fitted to and
fro among the guests.
John Winthrop was among them.
He did not dance and he did not sing,
and he smiled queerly at the very
idea Of reciting poetry; consequently,
neither Fontaine nor Duval felt un-
easy about his influence. Indeed, he
seemed only to be able to converse on
two subjects property and politics.
Still he had one great advantage,
he stayed in the same house with Imo-
gene, and could see her in many ia
vorable moments forbidden to less
happy mortals. But Duval, who
watched him closely, was soon con
vinced that he was Indifferent to this
immense favor; for Duval had found
opportunities of putting very clever
Leading questions to Mr.. Winthrop,
and that gentleman had answered
him with the greatest candor.
Indeed he was so much more polite
and sympathetic than he expected,
that Duval, who really longed for a
confidante, poured out his whole soul
to him, and asked John candidly
what was his opinion about his own
and Fontaine's chances. Did he
really think that Fontaine would win
Imogene?
John said he knew very little of
women, but ne thought Fontaine
would not win Miss Imogene.
1t isa comfort to have confdante,
and Duval frightened so much under
the process of pouring out his hopes
to John that Fontaine noticed the
change, and began to fear that his
rival had comfort and encourage
ment of which he did not know.
He was pondering this question
very gloomily one night, when he
met John Winthrop. How it hap
pened he never could tell, but in two