Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-09-16
which she had tumbled from her pony,s

~ uASter DeaSCS rear, ana even
some of the tricks of the troopers In
the Fort Myer drill she had surrep-
titiously practiced in the meadow back
Of the Claiborne stable.
1t was on Tuesday that John Arml-
tage had appeared before her in the
pergola. 1t was now Thursday after
noon, and Chauvenet had been to see
her twice since. and she had met him
the night before at dance at one of
the cottages.
Once free of the settlement she rode
E;ir and fast until she was quite be-
vond the usual routes of the Springs
eXcurslonists: then In mountain by
ways she enjoyed the luxury of leisure
and dismounted now and then to de-
light in the green of the laurel and
question the rhododendrons.
Jules Chauvenet had secured the hills
all day and explored many mountain
paths and inquired cautiously of the
natives. The telegraph operator at the
Storm Springs inn was woman, and
the dispatch and receipt by Jules Chau-
venet of long messages, many of them
in cipher. piqued her curiosity. No
member of the Washington diplomatic
circle who came TO the Springs. not
even the shrewd and secretive Russian
ambassador. received longer or more
cryptic cables. With the social diver
sions Of the Springs and the necessity
for making show Of having someale-
gitimate business in America, Jules
Chauvenet was pretty well occupied.
and now the presence of John Armi-
tage in Virginia added to his burdens.
He was tired and perplexed. and it
was with unaffected pleasure that he
rode out Of an obscure hill path into a
bit of open wood overhanglng curl
Gus defile and came upon Shirley Clai-
borne.
The soil was soft. and his horse car
ried him quite near before she heard
him. A broad sheet of water flashed
down the farther side of the narrow
pass, sending up pretty squirt Of
spray wherever 1t struck the jutting
rock. AS Shirley turned toward him
he urged his horse over the springy
turf.
"a pity to disturb the picture, Miss
Claiborne! A thousand pardons! But
1 really wished to see whether the fig.
ure could come out Of the canvas.
Now that l have dared to make the
test, pray do not send me away"
Her horse turned rcstlessly and
brought her face to face with Chau.
venet.
STEADY, Fanny! Don't come near
her, please"- this last to Chauvenet
who had leaped down and put out his
hand to her horses bride. She had
the true horsewoman's pride in caring
for herself, and her eyes flashed angri
ly for moment at Chauvenets prof
fcred aid. A man might open a dool
, for her or pick up her handkerchief
but to touch her horse was an alto
} gether different business. The pretty
graceful mare was calm in u moment
and arched her neck contentedly under
the stroke of Shirley's hand.
, Beautiful! The picture is even
more perfect, mademoisclle!"
Fanny is best in action and splen
did WHEN she runs away. She hasn't
run away today, but think she is
likely to before get home"
She was thinking Of the long ride
which she had no intention of taking
] in Chauvcnet's company. He stood UNI
covered beside her. holding his horse.
"But the danger, mademoiselle! You
should not hazard your life with run
away horse on these roads. 1t is not
fair to your friends"
"You are conservative, monsieur.
4 should be ashamed to have run.
away in city park, but what does
one come to the country for?'
''What, indeed, but for excitement;
You are not of those tame young wo-
men across the sea who come out into
the world from convent, frightened
at all they see and whisper Yes, Sis
ter NO. sister, to everything they
near"
Yes; we Americans are deficient in
shyness and humility. have Otter
heard 1t remarked, NJ. Chauvenet."
mo, no! You misunderstood! Those
deficiencies, as you term them. are de
, lightful. They are what give thu
charm to the American woman. hop'
you would not believe me capable o
speaking in disparagement. mademoi
sclle. You must know
The water tumDled down the rOcl
into the vale; the soft air was swee
with the scent Of pines. An eagl
; cruised high against the blue over
head. Shlrley's hand frightened on tn
rein, and Fanny lifted her head ex
pectantly.
Chauvenet went on rapidly in French
"You must know why am here
you i'll your own home. l have love
you, mademoisellc, from the moment
first saw you In Florence. Here, wit
only the mountains. the sky, the wood
must speak. You must hear, yo
must believe, that love you! offc
you my life, my poor attainments."
: Monsieur, you do me great honol
but cannot listen. What you ask
] impossible. quite impossible. Bul
monsieur
r. Her eyes had fallen upon thickc
+ behind him where something; ha
'sAAASos bohS lhou6dl at MOI lhdI
5 was ain animal Of some sort, but sh
saw now quite distinctly a mans shall
, by felt hat that rose slowly until til
: bearded face of its wearer was dis
,, closed.
i Monsieur" cried Shirley in 10,
tone. "look behind you and be carcfu
what you say or do. Leave the ma
i to me-"
Chauvenet turned and faced scow
ing mountainecr who held rifle an
j drew 1t to his shoulder as Chauvene
| threw out his arms. dropped them t
his thighs and laughed carelcssly.
What is it, my dear fellow-m.
, watch. my purse. my horse% he SAT-
, in English.
HE wants none of those things,
said Shirley, urging her horse few
steps toward the man. 1.-THE mountain
people are not robbers. What can W,
do for your" she asked pleasantly.
'You CANT do nothin' for me-