The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-10-24

gether different business. The pretty.
graceful mare was calm in a moment
aud arched her neck contentedly under
the stroke Of Shirley's hand.
beautiful. The picture is even
more perfect. mademoiselle!'
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 Chauvenet's company. He stood IN
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 a conservative, monsieur.
| should be ashamed to have a run
away In q 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 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 l hope
you would not believe me capable Of
speaking in dispara cement mademoi-
scle. You must know
The water tumbled 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.
Chauvenet went on rapidly in French:
You must know why l am here
why l have crossed the sea to seek
you in your own home. / have loved
you, mademoiselle, from the moment /
first saw you in Florence. Here, with
only the mountains, the sky, the wood,
| must speak. You must hear, you
must believe, that | love you. l offer
you my life. my poor attachments"
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
by felt hat that rose slowly until the
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 a rifle 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 horse:" 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 you?" she asked pleasantly.
"You CANT co 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 we'll understood that familiar
ity with their ways and tact were nee
| essary in dealing with them.
Miss. | have seen you befo', and
reckon we amt got no cause for trou-
BILE with you. but this little fella' amt
no business up 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 yo' frien' ridin' the hills
for at night? He's lookin' for some
I'm. and / reckon as how that some
IN air me!''
lie spoke drawlingly. with a lazy
good humor in his 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
! a coward. and he did not in the least
relish the thought of owing his safety
to woman. But the confidence with
which Shirley addressed the man and
! her apparent familiarity with the Pc
cul;arities of the mountaineers i'm
pressed him. He spoke to her rapidly
, in French.
assure the man that l never heard
of him before in my life-that the idea
of seeking him never occurred to me-"
The rifle. repeater Of the newest
type. went TO the mans shoulder in q
fash and the blue barrel pointed at