Milford chronicle., 1908-10-02

!
Beautiful! The picture is even
more perfect, mademoiseller'
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 l get home"
She was thinking Of the long ride
which she had no intention Of taking
in Chauvenets company. He stood IN
covered beside her, holding his horse.
But the danger. mademOiselle! You
should not hazard your life with a run
away horse on these roads. 1t is not
fair to your friends"
"You are a conservative, monsieur.
l should be ashamed to have run
away in a city park, but what does
on 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 a convent frightened
at all they see and whisper Yes. sis
ter No, sister, to everything they
hear"
Yes; we Americans are deficient in
shyness and humility. | have often
heard it remarked, NJ. Chauvenet"
"No. no! You misunderstood! Those
deficiencies, as you term them, are de-
lightful. They are what give the
charm to the American woman. | hope
you would not believe me capable OF
speaking in disparagement, mademol-
selle. You must know
The water tumbed down the rock
into the vale; the soft air was sweet
with the scent Of pines. An eagle
cruised high against the blue over
head. Shlrley's hand frightened on the
rein, and Fanny lifted her head ex-
pectantly.
Chauvenet went on rapidly in French;
"You must know why | am here
why l have crossed the sea to seek
you in your own home. have loved
you, mademoiselle, from the moment 1
first saw you in Florence. Here, with
only the mountains, the sky, the wood,
l must speak. You must hear, you
must believe, that love you'll 1 offer
you my life, my poor attainments."
Monsieur, you do me a great honor,
but l cannot listen. What you ask is
impossible quite impossible. But,
monsieur
Her eyes had fallen upon a thicket
behind him where something had
stirred. She thought at first that it
was an animal of some sort, but she
saw now quite distinctly a mans shah
L. 81 N,nH hnN -1o 1vr
bearded face Of its wearer was dis
closed
Monsieur" cried Shirley in a low
tone, look behind you and be careful
what you say or do. Leave the man
to me"
Chauvenet turned and faced a scOwl-
ing mountaineer who held rife and
drew it to his shoulder as Chauvenet
threw out his arms, dropped them to
his thighs and laughed carelessly.
what is it, my dear fellOw-my
watch, my purse, my horseY he said
in English.
He wants none of those things" |
said Shirley urging her horse a few
steps toward the man. "The mountain
people are not robbers. What can we
do for your" she asked pleasantly.
You CANT do nothin for me-"
drawled the man. Go on away, miss.
| want to see this little fella'. l got a
little business with him."
HE is a foreigner-he knows little
Of our language You will do best to
let me stay" said Shirley.
She had not the remOtest idea Of
what the man wanted. but she had
known the mountain folk from child
hood and well understood that familiar
ty with their ways and tact were nee
sssary in dealing with them.
Miss, l have seen you befo'. and l
'eckon we amt got no cause for trou-
Die with you. but this little fella' amt
10 business up hy'eh. Them hotel peo-
Die has their own places to ride and
lrive. and. it's all right for you, miss,
1ut what's yo frien' ridin' the hills
or at night? He's lookin' for some
IN, and l reckon g. that some
IN air mer
He spoke drawlingly. with lazy
rood humor in his tones, and Shirley's
Wits took advantage of his delibera-
ion to consider the situation from
several points Of view. Chauvenet
TODD looking from Shirley to the man
nd back again. He was by no means
coward, and he did not in the least
elish the thought of owing his safety
o a woman. But the confidence with
which Shirley addressed the man and
er apparent familiarity with the pc
.uliarities Of the mountaineers i'm
ressed him. He spoke to her rapidly
n French.
assure the man that l never heard
( him before in my life-that the idea
( seeking him never occurred to me-"
The rife, a repeater of the newest
ype, went to the mans shoulder in
ash and the blue barrel pointed at
head. {
''None O. that reckon the Ameri- {
an language air good enough for these
re negotiations"
Chauvenet shrugged his shoulders,
ut he gazed into the muzzle of the |
lie unfinchingly.
"The gentleman was merely explain
lg that Won are mistaken that he [