Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-03-13
TCoNTINUED.1

Michael, you are doing this for the
sake of argument. l don't believe you
know anything about it, and, what is
more, l think Lord Croyland Is hu-
moring you for the sake of politeness.
I'll prove it." He turned to Richard.
MY boy, ought to have warned you
in advance. My brother-in-law is
crotchety old lawyer who has never
got over his bad habits. Tell me-hon-
estly now-is there a statue of Napo-
leon Bonaparte in Hyde park at all?"
NO" smiled Richard, greatly reliev-
ed at this turn, there is not"
"Who is 1t. then?"
wellington" said Richard, with tri-
umphant carelessness. although he real
ly did not know whether there was
such a statue or not. But then neither
did any one else at the table. although
all but Miss Chittendon had visited
England. some of them many times.
The company laughed at Mr.. Corri-
gan's discontinue. while the victim
himself seemed to enjoy it with the
keenest zest. That dangerous incident
was closed.
The dinner was finished at last, and
Mr.. Corrigan, pleading an appoint
ment, departed, greatly to Richards re-
lief. The rest OF the evening was
spent in company with the ladies'. for
the young mans efforts to single out
one in particular were invariably frus-
trated by the other three. 1t was not
until nearly II that he had a short half
hour with her alone. but in this he was
repaid for all his tribulations. Miss
Harriet was dressed in an exquisite
pale blue gown. modestly revealing
neck and shoulders which to Richard
were the most beautiful in all the
world. They sat on the front veranda
overlooking the river, she In a low
wicker chair and he OH the steps at
her feet Behind him were clusters of
wistaria blooms. while beyond in the
darkness the first of the fireflies twin
killed. like stars. To them came the
nighttime scents and the murmur of
the wind across the mighty Hudson
on it's journey to the sea.
Miss Harriet told him Of her trip to
Texas and OF the gallant cowboy who
had saved her life, while Richard lis
tened with bounding heart. He longed
to claim hero's place, to confess his
deception and tell her the plain, bare
truth. And yet he paused. To confess
would involve disclosing the reason Of
his deceit. and he dare not risk the
chance of losing her yet. She was
young romantic. The very daring Of
lovers bold design might appeal to her;
but. on the other hand. it was better
to wait till he had won her heart than
to ruin all by foolish precipitance.
"And what sort of chap was this
cowboy" he asked her presently.
ooh, splendid" she answered with
enthusiasm. He was tall and straight
and strong. Why. he lifted me as
though I had been child and set me
down as tenderly as my own mother
might have done. It all came so sud
denly and was so bewildered that
scarcely even thanked him. / know he
thinks me perfectly horrid, and l
would give anything on earth II /
could only tell him that Tm-that I'm
not"
"And you saw all that in five min
utes?" he asked eagerly.
'Tn five minutes she exclaimed,
surprised. How do you know how
/ long it was?'
"Oh-er-a perfectly natural infer
ence." he stammered. hunting for COW
er desperately.
well. it was a short time" she
sighed.
"And yet you did not learn his
name?'
Miss Harriet shook her head
mo. We came away at once, and
had no chance. You see, | only saw
him for moment-that IS. after he
put me down-and-and he was in
such hurry to catch his cows"
Richard smiled into the wistaria vine
and was silent for time
| 81 suppose he began presently.
that the young fellow was of the or
binary type of cowboy we see so fire.
quently on
NO" interrupted Miss Harriet, with
decisveness that pleased him to the
| quick; "he was nothing of the sort
or course he was roughly dressed, as
| they all are. but "A gentleman Is gen
tleman even in flannel shirt, and
chaps don't they call them? Do you
know. Lord Croyland. he reminds me
in many ways of you. He-no. no."
she added hastily, Il don't mean that
He-was quite different. You see. he
was an American"
Lucky beggar!" observed the pseudo
earl. with heavy sigh Miss Rem
| wyck. |. too. would love to become an
American if-won't you teach me
how?"
"lY" she laughed. yes. | will, II
you promise to follow instructions i'm
plicitly.
Done" he answered. I'm ready
for my first lesson How will you be-
| ginf"