Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-07-02

"Thls Lady
hunt. The apparent leader OF the
party, a stalwart. sturdy man, dark
OF hair and richly clgd-rode slightly
In advance OF the others.
Catching sight of young woman.
and a very pretty outstanding thus
alone on the forest road. this gentle
man pulled up suddenly "Boniour,
monsieur" said Kitty. with her usual
recourse TO the French language.
"Eh bien, c'est que vous parlez Fran
cais?" And at once he himself broke
into voluble French, much to Kittys
delight.
q am an American" she went on to
say.
II ask pardon, mademoiselle," re-
Joined the derk man--whose bold
eyes. after what seemed to Kitty to be
the fashion Of the country. now were
carefully estimating her. line by line
~ beg your pardon, but mademoi-
selle is alone? Why?"
"My companion is i'll yonder at the
peasants house. There was an acct
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. Il can man
age"
II was not long before they arrived
at the hunting lodge.
Count Sachio introduced his guests
with few words in his own language.
They stared politely. smiled discreetly.
but made Kitty welcome.
Now, be of with you ALL" ex-
claimed Count Sachio. "To 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 II may be
we'll for me to excuse myself Is there
any way in which ! may get back to
the cottage where left my man?'
"Not 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 II?
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.
"Roleaul" 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, MANI" demanded
Count Sachio, imperiously. 81 am
Sachio OF Grahoffen, man-one who
need not declare himself to you. Your
life shall pay for this!"
Good Why not now, my friendT
retorted Roleau calmly. 81 have seer
men OF many sorts before now, bu
none that I feared, This lady is IL
my care. She will ride with me. ant
we viii ride better horses than tha
on which / came"
Even as he spoke he passed rapidly
among the spirited mounts OF the lit
tie party lately arrived. Two he Sc
lected for himself and Kitty. Will
the others he was busy with few
strokes of the short knife he wore
He grinned as he came out from
among the horses.
$50, Monsieur Sachio of Grahoffen,
said he, you will ride with shor
girths II you follow us" In truth h'
had cut a piece out of the girth o
each one of the unused horses.
An instant later he and Kitty wer
mounted and speeding away.