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

ter No. sister 10 everything they
hear"
YES: we Americans are deficient In
shyness and humility. have often
heard IL remarked. NJ. Chauvenet."
mo. no. You misunderstaudI Those
deficiencies, as you term them. are de-
hghtfuL They are what give the
charm TO the American woman. hope
you would not believe me capable OF
speaking in disparagemept. mademoi-
selle. 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 | am here
why l have crossed the sea TO seek
you in your own home. have lored
you. mademoiselle. from the moment 1
first saw you In Florence. Here. with
only the mountains. the sky. the wood.
1 must speak. You must hear. you
must believe. that i love you! ofrer
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 IL
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 rife and
drew II to his shoulder as Chauvenet
threw out his arms. dropped them 70
bis thighs and laughed csrelessly.
What Is It, my dear fellow-my
watch, my purse. my horseT" he said
In English
HE wants none OF those things. &"
said Shirley. urging her horse n few
steps toward the man. The mountain
people are not robbers. What can we
do for your" she asked pleasantly.
You CANT do nothin for me"
drawled the man. Go on away. miss
want to see this little fella'. got q
little business with him"
He Is a foreigner-he knows little
OF our language You VIII 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 I'm dealing with them.
Miss. i have seen you befo', and i
reckon we amt got no cause for trou-
BILE with you. but this little fella' ain q
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? Hes lookin' for some
un. and 1 reckon as how that some
un air mer
He spoke drawlingly. with a lazy
good humor in his tones. and Shirley's
wits took advantage or his -delibcra-
ton 20 consider the situation from
several points % view. Chauvenet|
stood looking from Shirley TO the man
and back again. He was by no means
coward. aud he did not in the least
relish the thought OF owing his safety
10 woman. But the confidence with
which Shirley addressed the man and
her apparent familiarity with the pc
culiarities OF the mountaineers i'm
pressed him. He spoke 20 her rapidly
in French
Assure the man that I never heard
OF him before In my life-that the idea
OF seeking him never occurred 70 me-"
The rifle. n repeater OF the newest
type. went 10 the mans shoulder in a
fash and the blue barrel pointed at
Chauvenet's head.
None o thatl reckon the Ameri-
can language air good enough for these
ere negotiations"
Chauvenet shrugged his shoulders,
but he gazed into the muzzle OF the
rife unfinchingly.
The gentleman was merely explain
ing that you are mistaken, that he