Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-08-22

ed again into the rife barrel and stop
ped short Fanny. bored by the pro
longed Interview. bent her neck and
nibbled at a weed
This gentleman has been in America
only a few weeks. You are certainly
mistaken. friend" said Shirley boldly.
Then the color flashed into her face as
an explanation OF the mountaineer's IN
terest in n stranger riding the hills oc-
CURED 70 her.
my friend" she said. 81 am Miss
Claiborne. You may know my fathers
house down in the valley. We have
been coming here as far back as can
remember"
The mountalneer listened 20 her
gravely, and at her last words he IN
consciously nodded his head. Shirley.
seeing that he was interested. seized
her advantage.
Il have no reason for misleading
you. This gentleman Is not a revenue
man. He probably never heard OF a
STILL do you call it7-in his life" And
she smiled upon him sweetly. "But II
you Will let him go promise 70 salts
~ you entirely in the matter"
Chauvenet started TO speak. but Shlr-
ley arrested him with a gesture and
spoke again 20 the mountaineer In her
most engaging tone:
I'VE are both mountaineers. you and
l. and we don't want any OF our PEG
pie 10 he carried OF TO Jail. Isn't that
sof Now let this gentleman ride away.
and shall stay here until have quite
assured you that you are mistaken
about him"
She sigualed Chauvenet TO mount
holding the mystifed and reluctant
mountaineer with her eyes. Her heart
shook little as she frightened her
grasp on the rein. She addressed Chau-
venet In English as a mark OF good
faith to their captor.
Ride on. monsieur. Do not wait FOR
me-"
but st is growing dark I cannot
leave you alone. mademoisene You
have rendered me a great service
when II Is ! who should have extricat 4
ed you
pray do not mention fl II is ii
mere chance that am able 10 help. !
shall be perfectly safe with this gen
tleman."
The mountaineer took of his hat
Thank ye. MISS" he said. and then
to Chauvenet Get outr'
Don't trouble about me In the least,
NJ. Chauvenet," and Shirley affirmed
the last word with a nod as Chauvenet
jumped into his saddle and rode off
When the swift gallop OF his horse had
carried him out OF sight and sound
down the road. Shirley faced the noun
taineer.
What is your manner
TON Selfridge."
Whom did you take that man to be.
Mr. SelfridgeT" asked Shirley. and IN
her eagerness she bent down above the
mountaineer's barred tangle OF tow.
THE name you called him amt II
It's queer name l never heered tell
on befo'-it's-it's like the amy
rs II ArmitageT" asked Shirley
quickly
That's 1t, missi The postmaster over
at Lamar told me TO look out fer i'm
He's moved up hy'eh. and 1t amt fer
no good The words out that a city
mans looking for something or some
body In these hills. Aud the mans
stayin' -
"Where2"
AT the huntin' club where folks
don't go no more. / amt seen him
but tn words passed. He's 8 city
man and a stranger and got a little
fella' that's been a soldier into Tia
army stGyin' with i'm. / thought 20
furriner was him, miss. honest TO God
! did"
The incident amused Shirley, and she
laughed aloud. She had undoubtedly
gained information that Chauvenet had
gone forth to seek; she had-and the
thing was funny-served Chauvenet
well in explaining away his presence
10 the mountains and getting him out
or the clutches OF the mountaineer
while at the same time she was learn
ing for herself the fact OF Armltage's
whereabouts and keeping IL from Chau-
venet IL was a curious adventure
and she gave her hand smilingly 20 the
mystified and still doubling mountain
eer.
Il give you my word OF honor that
neither man is a government officer