The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1908-07-30

| 1fienQS anu ne nau eAcuseu nlilsell
for not riding that day IL for not going
upon hunt or to the theater:
"WhyY
because have a pledge to keep
and work to do. and II l were forced
to defend myself from the charge Of
being the false Baron Won kissel every
thing would be spoiled. You see, I'M
ortunately-most unfortunately am
not quite without responsibilities. and
| have come down into the mountains,
where hope not to be shot and tossed
over precipice until have had time
to watch certain people and certain
events for little while. ! tried to
say as much to Captain Claiborne. but
l saw that my story did not Impress
him. And now have said the same
thing to you
He waited, gravely watching her, hat
In hand.
"And l have stood here and listened
to you and done exactly what Captain
Claiborne would not wish me to do UNI
der any circumstances" said Shirley.
You are infinitely kind and gener-
ous''-
mo. do not wish you to think me
either Of those things-of course not"
Her conclusion was abrupt and point
ed.
"Then"-
"Then l will tell you-what l have
not told any one else-that l know
very we'll that you are not the person
who appeared at Bar Harbor three
years ago and palmed himself Off as
the Baron Won Kssel."
"You know it--you are quite sure OF
IT." he asked blank1y.
Certainly. l saw that person-at
Bar Harbor. l had gone up from New
port for q week-I was even Mt tea
where he was quite the lion, and l
am sure you are not the same person"
Her direct manner of speech, her de-
cisive tone, in which she placed the
matter of his identity on a purely prac-
teal and pnsentimental plane, gave
him q new impression of her character.
But Captain Claiborne
He ceased suddenly and she antici-
pated the question at which he had
faltered and answered, little Jelly:
II do not consider 1t any Of my busi-
ness to NEEDLE in your affairs with my
brother. He undoubtedly believes you
are the impostor who palmed himself
Off at Bar Harbor as the Baron Won
Kissel. He was told so"-
} by M. Chauvenet."
$50 he said"
"And Of course he Is capital wit
ness. There is no doubt of Chauve-
nets entire credibility," declared Armi-
tage, a little airily.
81 should say not" said Shirley UNI
responsibility. II am quite as sure that
he was not the false baron as l am
that you were not" =.
Armitage laughed.
"That Is a little pointed"
ut was meant to be-" said Shirley
sternly. 1T is'-she weighed the word
ridiculous that both Of you should
be here"
''Thank you for my half! I didn't
know he was here But am not
exactly here-I have much safer
place." He swept the blue hilled hori-
zon with his hand. IN. Chauvenet
and I will not shoot at each other in
the hotel dining room. But am really
relieved that he has come. We have
an interesting fashion Of running into
each other. 1t would positively grleve
me to be obliged to wait long for him."
He smiled and thrust his hat under
his arm. The sun was dropping behind
the great western barrlcade, and a Chill
wind crept sharply over the valley.
Ns started to walk beside her as she
turned away, but she paused abruptly.
"Oh, this won't do at all! can't be
seen with you, even in the shadow Of
my own house. must trouble you to
taxa the side gate and she indicated
It by a nod Of her head.
mot II l know myself! am not q
fraudulent member Of the German no
bility-you have told me so yourself
Your conscience is clear. assure you
mine Is equally so! And am not a
person, Miss Claiborne, to sneak out by
side gates. particularly when l came
over the fence! It's a long way around
anyhow, and have horse over there
somewhere by the inn."
"AIy brother
as at Fort Myer, Of course. At about
this hour they are having dress parade,
and he is thoroughly occupied"
"But-there Is NJ. Chauvenet. He
has nothing to do but amuse himself"
They had reached the veranda steps, |
and she ran to the top and turned for
moment to look at him. He still car
ried his hat and crop in one hand and
had dropped the other into the side
pocket Of his coat He was wholly at
case, and the wind ruflled his hair and
gave him a boyish look that Shirley.
liked. But she had no wish to be
found with him, and she instantly nod
ded his dismissal and half turned away
to go into the house, when he detained
her for moment.