Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-28

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 "Yes; we Americans are deficient in shyness and humility. have often heard 1t remarked, NJ. Chauyenet."
 NO, no! You misunderstand! Those deficiencies, as you term them, are de- lightful. They are what give the charm to the American woman. hope you would not believe me capable of speaking in disparagement, 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 bluo over head. Shirley's hand frightened on the rein. and Fanny lifted her head ex- pectantly.
 ChGuvenct went on rapidly in French:
 You must know why am here why have crossed the sea to seek you in your own home. I have loved you, mademoiselle, from the moment l first saw you in Florence. Here, with only the mountains, the sky, the wood, I must speak. You must hear, you must believe, that love you! offer you my life, my poor nttainments."
 Monsieur, you do me great honor, but I cannot listen. What you ask is impossible. quite impossible. But, monsieur
 Her eyes had fallen upon . thicket behind him where something had stirred. She thought at first that 1t was an animal of some sort, but she saw now quite distinctly . mans shab- by felt hat that rose slowly until the bearded face of its wearer was dis closed.
 Monsieur" cried Shirley in low tone. Hook behind you and be careful what you say or do. Leave the man to me-"
 Chauvenet turned and faced scowl- ing mountaineer who held rife and drew it to his shoulder as Chauvenet threw out his arms, dropped them to his thighs and laughed carelessly.
 What is 1t, my dear fellow-my watch. my purse. my horse?" he said in English.
 He wants none of those things" said Shirley, urging her horse a few steps toward the man. 'eThe mountain people are not robbers. What can we do for you?' she asked pleasantly
 "You caint do nothin' for me- drawled the man. "Go on away, miss. I want to see this little fella'. l got q little business with him"
 "He is a foreigner-he knows little of our language. You will 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 nec- essary in dealing with them.
 Miss, have seen you befo', and 1 reckon we ain't got no cause for trou- ble with you, but this little fella' ain't 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? He's lookin' for some un, and l reckon as how that some un air mel"
 He spoke drawlingly, with lazy good humor in his tones. and Shirley's wits took advantage of his delibera- ton to, consider the situation from several points of view. Chauvenet stood looking from Shirley to the man and back again. He was by no means a coward, and he did not in the least relish the thought of owing his safety to woman. But the confidence with which Shirley addressed the man and her apparent familiarity with the pc culiarities of the mountaineers inn pressed him. He spoke to her rapidly in French.
 Assure the man that never heard of him before in my life-that the idea of seeking him never occurred to me-"
 The rife, a repeater of the newest type. went to the mans shoulder in a flash and the blue barrel pointed at Chauvenet's head.
 ''None O that! I 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 unfiinchingly.
 "The gentleman was merely explain ing that you are mistaken. that he does not know you and never heard of you before, and that he has not been looking for you in the mountains or anywhere else"
 As Shirley spoke these words very slowly and distinctly she questioned for the first time Chauvenet's position. Perhaps. after all, the mountaineer had real cause of grievance. It seemed wholly unlikely, but while she listened to the mans reply she weighed the matter judicially. They were in an un- frequcnted part of the mountains, which cottagers and hotel guests rare ly explored. The mountaineer was saying:
 Mountain folks air slow, and we don't know much. but stranger don't ride through these hills more than once for the scenery. The second time he's got to tell why, and the third time well, miss. you kin tell the little fella' that there ain't no third time"
 Chauvenet flushed, and be calculated hotly:
 T have never been here before in my life"