Putnam patriot., 1908-11-13

and arehed her neck contentetily under the stroke of Shirley's hand.
 'BeautifHl, The picture is even more perfect. mademoiselle,.'
 Fanny Is best in action and splen- dtd when she runs away. She hasn't run away today. but think she is likely to before I get home"
 She was thinking of the long ride which she had no intention Of taking fin chauvenets company. He stood un- covered beside her. holding his horse.
 But the danger. mademoiselle, You should not hazard your life with run away horse on these roads. It is not fair to your friends"
 You are a conservative. monsieur. l should he ashamed to have Il 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 vso- men across the sea who come out into the world from a convent, frightened al al! they see and whisper Yes, sis ter. Nc. sister. 10 everything they hear"
 "Yes: we Americans are deficient in shyness and humility have often heard it remarked. NJ. Chauvenet"
 No. nol You misunderstandi Those deficiencies, as you term them. are de- lightful They are what give the charm 10 the American woman hope you would not believe me capable of speaking in disparagement. mademoi- selle. Ton must know
 The water tumbied 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 Shirley's hand frightened on the rein, and Fanny lifted her head ex- pectantly.
 Chauyenet went on rapidly In French:
 You must know why 1 am here why l have crossed the sea to seek you in your own home l have loved you. mademoiselle, from the moment first saw you in Florence. Here, with only the mountains. the sky, the wood. 1 must speak. You must hear, you must believe, that l love you, l offer you my life. my poor attainments."
 Monsieur. you do me q great honor. but l cannot listen. What you ask is Impossible. quite impossible. But, monsieur
 Her eyes had fallen upon thicket behind him where something had stirred. She thought at first that II was an animal of some sort. but she Eaw now quite distinctly mans shab- by felt hat that rose slowly until the bearded face of it's wearer was dis closed
 Monsieur" cried Shirley in low tone. Hook behind you and be careful what you say or do Leave the man to me. ''
 Chauvenet turned and faced scowl- ing mountaineer who held rifle and drew it to his shoulder as Ghauyenet threw out his arms. dropped them 10 his thighs and laughed carelessly.
 IVY hat is it, my dear feilow-my watch. my purse. my horseT' be said in English.
 He wants none of those things, said Shirley. urging her horse few steps toward the man. "The mountain people are not robbers. What can we do for you?" she asked pleasantly.
 You eain't do nothin' for me draw!ed the man. Go on away, miss. 1 want to see this little fella'. l got a little business with him"
 He Is a forelgner-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 ity with their ways and tact were nee essary In dealing with them-
 Miss, l have seen you befo'. and reckon we aIn't got no cause for tron- ble with you. but this little fella' ain no business mp hy'eh. Them hotel peo- pie has their own places to ride and drive. and it's all right for you. miss, but what's 70 frien' ridin' the hills for at nfghti He's lookin' for some un. and l reckon as how that some un air mel"
 He spoke drawllngly. with lazy good humor in bis tones. and Shirley s wits took advantage of his delibera- ton to consider the situation from several points of view. Chauvenet stood looking from Shirley to the man and back again. He was by no means q coward, and he did not in the least relish the thought of owing his safety to a woman. But the confidence with which Shirley addressed the man and her apparent familiarity with the pe- culiarities of the mountsineers im- pressed him. He spoke to her rapidly in French
 Assure the man that never heard Of him before in my life-that the idea of seeking him never occurred to me"
 The rine. a repeater of the newest type. went to the mans shoulder In . Hash and the blue barrel pointed at Chauvenet's head.
 .None o, that! reckon the Ameri- can language air good enough for these ere negotia tions."
 Chauvenet shrugged his shoulders. but he gazed into the muzzie of the rife unfinchingiy.
 .sThe gentleman was merely explain ing that YOU are mistaken. that he does not know you and never heard Of you before. and that he has nof been looking for you in the mountains or anywhere else"
 As Shirley spoke these words very slowly and distinctly she questioned for the first time ChauTenef I'osi'ioh. Perhaps. after all. the moantaineer haa A real cause of grievance. II seemed wholly unlikely. but while she listened to the mans reply she weighed the