Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-09-02

IuClC LluSl DC SOluG tllull 1eTe lOT
me-" said Armitage.
Oscar handed him several long en-
velopes-they bore the name of the
Bronx Loan and Trust company whose
Office In New York was his permanent
address, and he opened and read
number of letters and ca5legrams that
had been forwarded. Their contents
evidently gave him satisfaction, for he
whistled cheerfully as he thrust them
into his pocket.
you keep in touch with the world.
do you, Oscar? l. is commendable."
81 take a Washington paper. 1t re-
lieves the monotony. and can see
where the regiments are moving and
whether my old captain is vet out of
the hospital and what happened to my
lieutenant in his court martial about
the world-yes. At the postofficc back
there"-he ierked his head to indicate
at is again-t the law TO sell whisky in
n postoffice, so that storekeeper with
the red nose and small yellow eyes
keeps 1t in brown jug in the back
room"
ITO be sure" laughed Ar1nitage. 81
hope 1t is good article"
ut is VILE" replied Oscar. His
brother makes 1t up in the hills, and
1t is as strong as wood lye."
'Moonshine! have heard of it. We
must have some for rainy days"
1t was new world to John Armi-
tage. and his heart was as light us the
morning air as he followed Oscar along
the ruddy mountain road. He was III
Virginia, and somewhere on this soil.
perhaps in some valley like the one
through Which lie rode. Shirley Clai-
borne had gazed upon blue distances,
With ridge rising against ridge. and
dark pine covered slopes like these he
saw for the first time. He had left his
affairs in Washington in a sorry mud
die, but he faced the new day with
buoyant spirit and did not trouble him
self to look very far ahead. He had a
definite business before him His ca
Diagrams We're reassuring on, that
point. The fact that he was in sense
n fugitive did not trouble him In the
least. He had no intention of allowing
Jules Chauvenet's assassins to kill him
or Of being locked up In Washington
jail as the false Baron Won Kissel. II
he admitted that he was not John Ar
mitage it would be difficult to prove
that he was anybody elsa fact touch
Ing human testimony which Jules
Chauvenet probably knew perfectly
well.
On the whole, he wns satisfied that
he had followed the wisest course thus
far The broad panorama of the morn
ing hills communicated to his spirit
growing citation. He began singing in
German a ballad that recited the sor-
rows of u pale maiden prisoner in
dark tower on the Rhine. whence her
true knight rescued her after many
and fearsome adventures. On the last
stave he ceased abruptly, and an ex-
clamation of wonder broke from him.
They had been riding along narrow
trail that afforded. rs Oscar said,
short cut across Il long timbered ridge
that lay between them and Armitage's
property. The path was rough and
steep. and the low hanging pine boughs
and heavy underbrush increased the
difficulties of ascent. Straining to the
top, new valley. hidden until now,
was disclosed in long and beautiful
vistas.
Armitage dropped the reins upon the
neck of his painting horse.
| ut Is fine valley-yes?' asked Os-
car.
sit is possession worthy of the no.
blest gods" replied Arinitage "'rhere
is white building with colonnades
away over there. Is it the house of
the reignirg deity?"
ut is not SIR" answered Oscar, who
spoke English with kind of dogged
precision. giving equal value to all
words. at is a vast hotel where the
rich spend much money. That place at
the foot of the hillside you see?-it is
there they play foolish game with
sticks and little balls
Golf? Is it possible.'
There is no doubt of 1t, sir. have
seen the fools myself men and wom-
en-. The place is called Storm valley"
Armitage slapped his thigh sharply,
so that his horse started.
Eyes: you are probably right. Oscar.
I have heard of the place. And those
houses that lie beyond there in the val
ley belong to gentlemen of taste and
leisure who drink the waters and ride
horses and play the foolish game you
describe with little white balls"
Il could not tell it better" responded,
Oscar. who had dismounted. like
good trooper. to rest his horse.
And our place is it below there?"
demanded Armitage.
1T is not. sir. 1t lies to the west.
But man may come here when he is
lonesome and look at the people and
the gentlemen's houses. At night it is
a pleasure to see the lights. and some
times. when the wind is right. there is
music of bands.'
Poor Oscar" laughed Armitage.
His mood had not often in his life
been SO high.
On his flight northward from Wash
ington and southwark down the Allan.
tic capes. the thought that Shirley Clai-
borne and her family must now believe
him an ignoble scoundrel had wrought
misgivings and pain in his heart. but
at least lie would soon be near her
even now she might be somewhere be-
low I'm the lovely valley. and he drew
Off his hat and stared down upon what
was gloritied aud enchanted ground.
Let us GO" lie said presently.
Oscar saluted. standing bride in
hand.
You Will find ii easier to walk" he
said. and, Leading their horses, they re- ;.
traced their steps for several hundred
yards along tie ridge. then mounted
and proceeded slowly down again until |
they came TO Il mountain road Pres
entity Il high Wire fence followed at |
their right, where the descent was
sharply arrested. and they came to
barred wooden gate. and beside it
small cabin. evidently designed for