Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-07-27
* The Hero
Who Ran Away
BY j. S. FLETCHER
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.)

Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowies)
When the afternoon express finally |
rolled into the Care du Nord at seven |
o'clock of an April evening, Maxwell |
left the train with sigh of immense |
relief He was in Paris, and in Paris
he could breathe and think, and per-
haps make up his mind as to what was
to be done at the present crisis OF his
life
Anyway, l am freed from the great,
the overwhelming temptation OF her
presence he thought, as he walked
moodily about the fiower-scented
streets. "a man gets so little chance
of thinking clearly in a woman's pres
ence, or 1t she is within easy distance
of him. If I'm going to fight this thing
out 1t must be away from her. She"
Maxwell stopped suddenly-thought
and step alike came to a summary con-
clusion. He was dimly conscious that
he stood at the corner of the Rue
Royale, and that he was shaking hands
with his friend Lady Ravensrode, from
whom in some vague fashion the
spring morning had suddenly borrowed
NEW charm of light, shade, color and
scent.
Major MAXWELL" she exclaimed.
>'But why should one be surprised?
Paris is so very much next-door now
adays. Let me sect was night be-
fore last that we met, wasn't lit"
81 think So" said Maxwell. Il
came over yesterday - Dover and
Calais, you know-on business"
II came over yesterday, too" said
Lady Ravensrode. "Folkstone and
Boulogne, you know-also on business.
My business is-frocks."
Maxwell stroked his mustache. He
became conscious of the presence OF
Lady Ravensrode's maid, lowering at
a discreet distance; also of the inter-
est which was being created in the
minds and eyes of the passers-b by, who
glanced at the English woman's gra-
cious figure, copper-gold hair, and vi
vacious beauty, with unmistakable ad-
miration. He looked at Lady Ravens
rode, first furtively, then with Gu
rious determination In his bronzec
face.
Send your maid away" he said
1.-The frocks, am sure, can wait little
IL want to talk to you. The fac
is, I'm in a bit--no, / mean goo(
deal-of a hole, and l want your ad
vice."
Lady Havensrode obeyed this per
emptory order without a murmur.
They sat down on rustic seat undo
the refreshing shade trees of thu
Champs Elysees.
Maxwell began tracing strang
shapes in the gravel at his feet; b
knitted mis- brow and pursed up hi
lips, and Lady Ravensrode watches
him with a tiny smile at the corner
of her mouth. Presently he locke
up, regarded her with a stony stare
and said:
THE fact is that I've run away.
run away? With whom?"
'"That," said Maxwell, lis feminine
but silly. ran away to think"
'.Oh." she said, blankly.
well. I'll tell you the TRUTH" h
said, I'm running away from won
an"
THAT" she replied. '.is exactly wha
I should expect of YOU
He looked quickly and suspiciousl
at her.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. Then you d
think ma a cowardf"
st didn't say So" she said. els sh
pretty?"
Maxwell raised his eyes and stare
at her.
"Pretty?" he said. "She-why, sh
is the most beautiful woman in ii
world"
The honesty and simplicity OF h
tone were so evident that her inqui
ing eyes dropped before his.
''She is to be congratulated thi
you are so fond of her." she sal
softly.
"Ah. but then, she doesn't know"
answered. THE thing is-ought |
tell her? That's what want to kno,
That's the question | want to decid
Oh, I'm horrible coward about IT
'If you love her." said Lady Raven
rode, you certainly ought to tell h
of your love for her. It's wrong n
to; it's wicked
Wrong? Wicked? Why?" he d
manded, with signs of great surpris
Lady Ravensrode turned her ia
toward him and studied him wi
dancing eyes and tightly-clos
mouth. Maxwell frowned still mo
gloomirf. s'
.Why do you look at me like that
he asked. II know you're laughi
at me, wight away down in your hea
and l want to know why. Y
see. sometimes think John Ma