Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-09-17

1
over a precipce until | have had time
to watch certain people and certain
events for a little while. | tried TO
say as much to Captain Claiborne. but
/ saw that my story did not impress
him. And now | have said the same
thing to YOU
He waited, gravely watching her, hat
in hand.
And have stood here and listened
to you and done exactly what Captain
Claiborne would not wish me to do III
der any circumstances said Shirley
"You are infinitely kind and gener
GUS
mo. do not wish you to think me
either of those things-of course mott
Her conclusion was abrupt and point
ed
Then
Then will tell you-what l have
not told any one else-that | know
very we'll that you are not the person
who appeared at Bar Harbor three
years ago and palmed himself off as
the Baron Won Kissel."
.'You know ityou are quite sure OF
it?" be asked blankly
Certainly saw that personal
Bar Harbor had gone up from New
port for week. was even at tea
where he was quite the lion, and
am sure you are not the same person
Her direct manner of speech, her de
cisive tone, in which she placed the
matter of his identity on a purely prac
teal and unsentimental plane. gaNe
him a new impression of her character
"But Captain Claiborne
He ceased suddenly and she antici-
pated the question at which he had
faltered and answered. little Jelly:
81 do not consider it any of my bust
ness to NEEDLE in your affairs with my
brother. He undoubtedly believes you
are the impostor who palmed himself
off at Bar Harbor as the Baron Won
Kissel. He was told So
by NJ Chauvenet."
80 he said"
''And of course he is capital wit
ness. There is no doubt of Chauve-
nets entire credibility," declared Armi-
tage. a little airily.
II should say not. said Shirley I'M
respectively ~ am quite as sure that
he was not the false baron as | am
that you were not
Armitage laughed.
.sThat is a little pointed
1T was meant to be- said Shirley
sternly. 1T is''-she weighed the word
ridiculous that both of you should
be here
"Thank you for my half! / didn't
know he was herei But I am not
exactly here-I have a much safer
place" He swept the blue hilled hori-
zon with his hand. "M. Chauvenet
and | will not shoot at each other in
the hotel dining room. But am really
relieved that he has come. We have
an interesting fashion of running into
each other. It would positively grieve
me to be obliged to wait long for him.
He smiled and thrust his hat under
his arm The sun was dropping behind
the great western barricade. and chill
wind crept sharply over the valley.
He started to walk beside her as sne
turned away, but she paused abruptly
''Oh, this won't do at all! | can't be
seen with you, even in the shadow OF
my own house. | must Srouble you to
take the side gate and she Indicated
it by a nod of her head.
Not if | know myself! | am not
fraudulent member of the German no
bility-you have told me so yourself
Your conscience is clear | assure yon
mine is equally sol And l am not a
person, Miss Claiborne, to sneak out by
side gates, particularly when l came
over the fence! It's long way around
anyhow, and have horse over there
somewhere by the inn.''
'My brother
rs at Fort Myer, of course. At about
this hour they are having dress parade.
and he is thoroughly occupied"
"But-there is NJ Chauvenet He
has nothing to do but amuse himself"
They had reached the veranda steps
and she ran to the top and turned for
a moment to look at him. He still car
ried his hat and crop in one hand and
had dropped the other into the side
pocket of his coat. He was wholly at
ease. and the wind ruffied his hair an6
gave him a boyish look that Shirley
liked But she had no wish to be
found with him, and she instantly nod
ded his dismissal and half turned away
to go into the house, when he detained
her for a moment.
Il am perfectly willing to afford NJ
Chauvenet all imaginable entertain
ment. We are bound to have many
meetings. / am afraid he reached this
charming valley before me; but as a
rule, prefer TO be little ahead of
him. It's whim. the merest whim-
| assure you"
He laughed thinking little of what
he said. but delighting in the picture
she made. the tall pillars of the veran
da framing her against the white wall