The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-09-17

for the scenery. The second time he's
got to tell why, aud the third time
well, miss, you kin tell the little fella
that there amt no third time"
Chauvenet flushed and he calculated
hotly:
Il have never been here before in
my life"
The man dropped the rifle into his
arm without taking his eyes from
Chauvenet. He said succinctly. but
still with his drawl:
"You air liar, seh!'
Chauvenet took a step forward look
ed again into the rifle barrel and stop
ped short Fanny. bored by the pro-
longed iNerview, bent her neck and
nibbled al weed.
"This gentleman has been in America
only a few weeks. You are certainly
mistaken. friend" said Shirley boldly.
Thrp the color flashed into her face as
an explanation of the nountaineer's in
terest in a stranger riding the hills oc-
cured to her
MY friend" she said, u 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 mourtaineer listened to her
grayely. and at her last words be IN
consciously nodded his head Shirley.
seeing that he was interested, seized
her advantage.
Il have no reason sfor misleading
you This gentleman is not revenue
man He probably never heard of a
still. do you call it?-in his life " And
she smiled upon him sweetly. But II
you will lei him go promise TO salts
~ you entirely in the matter"
Chauyenet started TO speak. but Shlr
ley arrested him with a gesture aud
spoke again TO the mOuntaineer in her
most engaging tone.
1--WE are both mountaineers, you and
l. and we don't want any OF our peo-
pie to be carried off 10 Jail Isn't that
500 Now lei this gentleman ride away
and shall stay here until have quite
assured YOU that you are mistaken
about him"
She signaled Chauvenet 10 mount
holding the mystined and reluctant
mountalneer with her eyes Her heart
was humping fast. and her hand
shook little as she tlghiened her
grasp on the rein. She addressed cbau.
yenet In English AZ mark Of good
faith to their captor
Ride on. monsieur DO not walt for
me"
But It ls growing dark ! cannot
leave you alone. mademoiselle You
have rendered me great service.
when II is ! who shonld have extricat.
ed YOU
pray do not mention H. II Is q
mere chance that am able TO help
shall be perfectly safe with this gen
tleman"
The mountaineer took OF his hat
"Thank We. miss" he said, and then
TO Chauvenet. Get outr'
Don't trouble about me IN the least,
NJ. Chauyenet." and Shirley affirmed
the last word with nod as Chauyenet
Jumped into his saddle and rode Of
When the swift gallop of his horse had
carried him ont of sight and sound
down the road. Shirley faced the noun
taineer
what Is your namef"
tom Selfridge."
Whom did you take that man TO be,
Mr selfrldgeT" asked Shirley. aud 10
her engprness SHE bent down above the
mounfaiueess barred tangle Of tow.
"The name you called him amt II
rs queer name never heered tell
on befo' -its-its like the Amy
"Is II ArmliageT asked Shirley
I quickly
That's II, miss! The postmaster over
al Lamar told me 10 look out fer I'm.
Hes moved ~ hy'eh. and il amt fer
no good The words out that city
mans looking for something Or some
boly Ia these hills. And the mans
stayln' -
'WhereT
"At the hnDtu club where folks
don't 70 10 more amt seen him
but IN words passed He's city
man and a stranger and got htiie
fena' that's been soldier into u
army stayin' with i'm thought 10
fBrriner was him. miss. honest 70 God
Z / dd"
The Incident amused Shirley. and shs
laughed aiond She had undoubtedly
gained Information thst Chantenei had
soae forth 10 seek. she had-and The
tAlng was fuaag served chauFene'
aeii 10 explainiag away bic presence
a.. tt.s maintains anI getting AlIA Oil