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

oitsStA loF q TtOt- 5000,
and to the books she had read and
she galloped happily out OF the valley
10 the tune OF an old ballad. She rode
as woman should. astride her horse
and not madly clinging to It In the pre-
posterOus ancient fashion. She had
known horses from early years, IN
which she had tumbled from her pony's
back in the stable yard. and she knew
how 10 train a horse to a gait and how
70 master beasts fear, and even
some OF the tricks OF the troopers I'm
the Fort Myer drill she had surrep-
titiously practced IN the meadow back
OF the Claiborne stable.
1t was on Tuesday that John Armi-
tage had appeared before her in the
pergola. Ii was now Thursday after
noon, and Chauvenet had been TO see
her twice since. and she had met him
the night before at a dance at one or
the cottages.
Once free OF the settlement she rode
far and fast until she was quite be-
yOnd the usual routes OF the Springs
excursionists: then I'm mountain by
ways she enjoyed the luxury OF leisure
and dismounted now and then 10 de
light in the green OF the laurel and
question the rhododendrons.
Jules Chauvenet had secured the hills
all day and explored many mountain
paths and inquired cautiously OF the
natives. The telegraph operator at the
Storm Springs inn was a woman. and
the dispatch and receipt by Jules Chau-
Of
In cipher plqued her curiosity. No
member OF the Washington diplomatic
circle who came TO the Springs. not
even the shrewd and secretive Russian
ambassador. received longer or more
cryptic cables. With the social diver
sions OF the Springs and the necessity
for making a show OF having some le-
Ultimate business I'm America, Jules
Chauvenet was pretty well occupied.
and now the presence OF John Armi-
tage In Virginia added to his burdens
He was tired and perplexed. and Il
was with unaffected pleasure that he
rode out OF an obscure hill path into a
bit Of open wood Overhanging a curl
Gus dehle and came upon Shirley Clai-
borne
The soil was soft, and bis horse car
ried him quite near before she heard
him. a broad sheet OF water flashed
down the farther side OF the narrow
pass, sending up a pretty squirt OF
spray wherever II struck the jutting
rock. AS Shirley turned toward him
he urged his horse over the springy
turf.
- pity TO disturb the picture, Miss
Claibornel A thousand pardonsl But
j really wished to see whether the fig
ure could come OFT OF the canvas
Now that l have dared TO make the
test, pray do not send me away"
Her horse turned restlessly and
brought her face to face with Chau-
venet.
STEADY. Fanny! Don't come near
her. please this last TO Chauvenet
who had leaped down and put out his
hand TO her horses bride. She had
the true horsewOman's pride In caring
for herself. and her eyes flashed angri-
ly for moment at Chauvenets prof
fered aid A man might open & door
for her or pick up her handkerchief,
but to touch her horse was an alto
gether different business. The pretty,
graceful mare was calm in a moment
and arched her neck contentedIy under
the stroke OF Shirley's hand.
Beautiful! The picture is even
more perfect mademoiselleP'
Fanny is best in action and SPLEEN
did when she runs away. She hasn't
run away today. but I think she is
likely to before / get home"
She was thinking OF the long ride
which she had no intention OF taking
in Chauvenets company. He stood IN
covered beside her. holding his horse.
But the danger, mademoiselle! You
should not hazard your life with a run
away horse on these roads. 1t is not
fair to your friends"
You are a conservative. monsieur.
should be ashamed to have a run
away IN a city park, but what does
one come TO the country for?'
What. indeed. but for excitement
You are not or those tame young wo-
men across the sea who come out into
the world from a convent. frightened
at all they see and whisper Yes. sis.