The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1908-08-06

anywhere else"
AS Shirley spoke these words very
slowly and distinctly she questioned
for the first time Chauyenet's position.
Perhaps. after ALL the mountaineer had
real cause of grievance. 1t seemed
wholly unlikely. but while she listened
to the mans reply she weighed the
matter judiciaIly. They were in an un-
frequented part of the mountains,
which cottagers and hotel guests rare
ly explored. The mountaineer was
saying:
"Aiountain 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 fela'
that there amt no third time"
Chauvenet flushed, and he calculated
holly:
II have never been here before in
my llfe.'
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."
Chauvenct took a step forward, look
cd again into the rifle barrel and stop
ped short Fanny, bored by the pro-
longed interview, bent her neck and
nibbled at weed.
"This gentleman has been in America
only few weeks. You are certainly
mistaken. friend" said Shirley boldly.
Then the color flashed into her face as
al explanation Of the mountalneer's In
telest in a stranger ridi Ig the bills &C.
Cured to her.
"My friend" she said. II 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 mountaneer listened to her
gravely. and at her last words he I'M
consciously nodded his head. Shirley.
seeing that he was interested. seized
her advantage.
II have no reason for misleading
you. This gentleman is not a revenue
man. He probably never heard of a
still, do you call it?--in his life" And
she smiled upon him sweetly. "But If
you will let him go promise to salts
fly you entirely in the matter"
Chauvenet started to speak, but Shr-
ley arrested him with n gesture and
spoke again to the mountaineer in her
most engaging tone:
Eve are both mountaineers. you and
l, and we don't want any Of our peo-
pie to be carried off to Jail. Isn't that
81? Now let this gentleman ride away,
and shall stay here until have quite
assured you that you are mistaken
about him."
She sgnaled Chauvenet to mount,
holding the mystifed and reluctant
mountanecr with her eyes. Her heart
was humping fast, and her hand
shook little as she frightened her
grasp on the rein. She addressed Chau-
venet in English as mark Of good
faith to their captor.
ride on, monsieur. Do not wait for
me-"
"But 1t Is growing dark. cannot
leave you alone. mademoiselle. You
have rendered me great service.
when 1t Is who should have extricat-
cd YOU
"Pray do not mention It! 1t is a
mere chance that | am able to help. !
shall be perfectly safe with this gen.
tleman."
The mountaineer took off his hat
"Thank We, MISS" he said, and then
to Chauvcnet. Get outv'
Don't trouble about me in the least,
NJ. Chauvenet," and Shirley affirmed
the last word with nod as Chauvenet
jumped into his saddle and rode off,
When the swift galop of his horse had
carried him out Of sight and sound
down the road, Shirley faced the noun
taineer.
what is your name?"
TON Selfridge."
"Whom did you take that man to be,
Mr.. SelfridgeY asked Shirley. and In
her eagerness she bent down above the
mountaineer's barred tangle Of tow.
1.-THE name you called him amt 1t.
It's queer name | never heered tell
OH befo'-it's-it's like the amy
rs it Armitage?" asked Shirley
quickly.
That's it, miss The postmaster over
at Lamar told me to look out fer i'm.
He's moved up hy'eh. and 1t amt fer
no good. The words out that a city
mans looking for something or some
body In these hills. And the mans
stayin
"Where?"
cat the. huntin' club where folks
don't go no more. amt seen him,
but tn words passed. He's city
man and n stranger and got little
fella' that's been soldier into tn
army stayin' with lin. thought yo'
furriner was him, miss, honest to God
| did"
The incident amused Shirley. and she
laughed aloud. She had undoubtedly
gained information that Chauvenet had
gone forth to seek; she had-and the
thing was funny-served Chauvenet