Putnam patriot., 1908-11-13

for the scenery. The second time ne got 10 tell why. and the thlni time well. miss. you kin tell the little fella that there ain't no third time
 Ghausenet flushed. and he calculated hotiy:
 .I have never been here before in my life"
 The man dropped the rife into his arm without taking his eyes from Chauvenet. He said succiaetly, but still with his drawi:
 You air liar. sehr'
 Chauvenet took step forward. look ed again Into the rifle barrel and stop ped short Fanny. honed hs the pro longed interview, bent her neck and nihbled at a 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 an explanation of the mountaneer's In tenest in stranger riding the hills oe- cured to her.
 My friend" she said, "l am Mis- Claiborne. You may know my father'i house down in the valley. We hay, been coming here as far back us car remember"
 The meuntaineer listened to hei graveiy. and at her last words be ua consciously nodded his head Shirley seeing that he was interested. seizet her advantage
 T have no reason for misleading you This gentleman is not rcyeuu, man. He probably never heard of a still. do you call itf-in his life" Ane she smiled upon him sweetly. "But If you will let him 20 promise to satis fy you entirely in the matter"
 Chauvenet started to speak, but Shir. ley arrested him with Ii gesture and spoke again to the monntaineer in her most engaging tone:
 I've are both mountaineers. you and l, and we don't want any of our peo- pie to be carried ofY 10 jail Isn't that sol Now let this gentleman ride away. and shall stay here until l have quite assured you that you are mistaken about him."
 She slgnaled Chauvenet to mount, holding the mystified and reluctant mountaineer with her eyes. Her heart was humping fast, and her hand shook little as she frightened her grasp on the rein She addressed Chan. venet in English as mark of good faith to their captor
 "glde on. monsieur. Do not whit for me-
 "Rnt 1t Is growing dark l cannot leave you alone. mademoiselle. You have rendered me great service when 1t Is I who should have extricat ed you''-
 ePray do not mention iti It is | mere chance that am able 10 help shall be perfectly safe with this gen tleman.
 The mountaineer took off his hat.
 "rhank ye. miss. he said. and then to Chausenet, "Get outf'
 sDon't trouble about me Tn the ieast NJ. Chauyenet," and Shirley affirmed the last word with a nod as Chauvenei jumped into his saddle and rode of When the swift gallop of his horse had carried him out of sight and sound down the road. Shirley faced the noun taineer.
 What is your namer "Tom Selfridge."
 "yyhon did you take that man to be MT. Selfridgef7 asked Shirley. and ir her eagerness she bent down above the mountaineer's barred tangle of tow.
 "The name you called him ain't 1t It's queer name l never heered ter on befo'-it's-its like the a'my"- .Is 1t Armitagei" asked Shirley quickly.
 That's 1t, miss. The postmaster ovei at Lamar told me to look out fer i'm He's moved up hy'eh, and It aint fei no good The words out that city mans looking for something or some body in these hills. And the mans stayin' "-
 "WhereT
 At the huntin' club where folks don't go no more. l ain't seen him but tn words passed. He's city man and a stranger and got a little fella' that's been soldier Into tn army stayin' with i'm. 1 thought yo further was him. miss. honest to God I did"