The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-09-09

nuut. Inc apparent l0SuoT 81 mo
party. q stalwart. sturdy man, dark
of hair and richly clad-rode slightly
in advance Of the others.
Catching sight of a young woman
and a very pretty outstanding thus
alone on the forest road. this gentle
man pulled up suddenly. "Bonjour.
monsieur" said Kitty, with her usual
recourse to the French language.
Eth bien. c'est que vous parlez Fran
cais?" And at once he himself broke
into voluble French, much to Kitty's
delight.
Il am an American" she went on to
say.
II 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
81 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"
81 am riding but now to my own
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. II can man
age"
1t 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.
Nov, be off with you AMI" ex
claimed Count Sachio. "To the wood
land paths, since the morning is sc
fresh"
"Mademoiselle, you will have re
freshments?" he asked, as, laughing
gayly, the others dispersed.
Nothing more for me than cuI
of tea said Kitty gravely. Lest yor
think me rude-perhaps it may be
we'll for me to excuse myself. Is there
any way in which I may get back tt
the cottage where I left my man."
"Not so fast, not so fast as all that
ma cherie! You have not tested ou
my humble place as we'll as l would
ask. Come. what you think Of it?
Not his words SO much as his man
ner sent swift alarm into Kitty Gray
heart. Swiftly she arose and mad
back as he, warmed somewhat by hi
wine, now advanced toward her, smil
ing. Her gesture angered him and h.
stepped forward, but more swiftly
At once Kitty gave voice to lou
cry of terror-the appeal for help
woman's first weapon of defense. Fol
even as she did SO, she heard tn
sound of hoofs on the trail beyond tn
edge of the forest.
"Roleau." She cried aloud, 81
moi!"
Kitty guessed. rather than knew
that Roleau's uneasiness on her az
count had led him to pursue hel
Such, indeed, was the case.
"Who are you, MANI" demande
Count Sachio, imperiously. Il ar
Sachio of Grahoffen, man-one VIII
need not declare himself to you. You
life shall pay for this!"
Good! Why not now, my friend?
retorted Roleau calmly. II have see
men Of many sorts before now. bu
none that I feared This lady is l
my care. She will ride with me, an
we will ride better horses than tina
on which I came"
Even as he spoke he passed rapid
among the spirited mounts OF the Ii
tie party lately arrived. Two he 81
lected- for himself and Kitty. Wit
the others he was busy with fe'
strokes of the short knife he wore
He grinned as he came out froI
among the horses
$50. Monsieur Sachio of Grahoffen,
said he. you will ride with shol
girths II you follow u.s." In truth b
had cut piece out Of the girth 9
each one Of the unused horses.
An instant later he and Kitty wer
mounted and speeding away.