The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-07-02

hunt. The apparent leader Of the
party, stalwart, sturdy man, dark
OF hair and richly clad-rode slightly
in advance OF the others.
Catching sight of young woman
and very pretty one-standing thus
alone on the forest road, this gentle
man pulled up suddenly. 'Bonjour,
monsieur" said Kitty, with her usual
recourse to the French language.
"Eh bien. cest que vous parlez Fran
Gals ?" And at once he himself broke
into voluble French, much to Kitty's
delight.
81 am an American" she went on to
| say
Il ask pardon, mademoiselle," re-
| Joined the dark man-whose bold
eyes, after what seemed to Kitty to be
the fashion OF the country, now were
carefully estimating her, line by line
y beg your pardon, but mademoi-
selle is alone? Why?'
my companion is i'll yonder at the
peasant llOuots ItIt W do an dtIi-
dent yesterday with our motor-he is
not yet able to travel"
Il am riding but now to my own
hunting lodge, few miles yonder at
the edge OF the forest; why not come
with me so that we might speak over
this matter? | am entertaining
friends there-a little house party
there are other ladies. You will be
made welcome. If you can ride"
"Oh, yes" said Kitty. 81 can man
age"
1t was not long before they arrived
at the hunting lodge.
Count Sacho introduced his guests
with few words in his own language.
They stared politely. smiled discreetly,
but made Kitty welcome.
Now, be off with you ALL" ex-
claimed Count Sachio. ITO the wood
land paths, since the morning is so
fresh"
"Mademoiselle, you will have re-
freshments?" he asked. as, laughing
gayly, the others dispersed
Nothing more for me than a cup
of tea" said Kitty gravely. Lest you
think me rude-perhaps it may be
well for me to excuse myself. Is there
any way in which | may get back to
the cottage where I left my man."
mot so fast, not so fast as all that,
ma cherie! You have not tested out
my humble place as well as | would
ask. Come. what you think Of it?
Not his words so much as his man.
ner sent swift alarm into Kitty Gray's |
heart. Swiftly she arose and made
back as he, warmed somewhat by his |
wine. now advanced toward her. smil- |
ing Her gesture angered him and he .
stepped forward, but more swiftly. /
At once Kitty gave voice to a loud |
cry OF terror-the appeal for help-a
woman's first weapon OF defense. For,
even as she did so, she heard the
sound of hoofs on the trail beyond the
edge of the forest
"Roleau," She cried aloud, "A
moi"
Kitty guessed rather than knew,
that Roleau's uneasiness on her ac-
count had led him to pursue her.
Such, indeed, was the case
who are you, man." demanded
Count Sachio. imperiously 81 am
Sachio OF Grahoffen. man-one who
need not declare himself to you Your
life shall pay for thisl"
Good Why not now, my friend?"
retorted Roleau calmly. 81 have seen
men of many sorts before now. but
none that l feared This lady is in
my care. She will ride with me, and
We will ride better horses than that
on which | came"
Even as he spoke he passed rapidly
among the spirited mounts OF the lit
tie party lately arrived Two he Sc
Iected for himself and Kitty. With
the others he was busy with a few
strokes of the short knife he wore.
He grinned as he came out from
lmcng the horses.
so, Monsieur Sachio OF Grahoffen,"
said he, you will ride with short
,irths IL you follow us" In truth he
rad cut a piece out OF the girth of
zach one of the unused horses.
An instant later he and Kitty were
mounted and speeding away.
CHAPTER TX