Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-11-12
CHAPTER Vn.
Count Sachio Of Grahoffen.

Kitty awoke as suddenly as she had
fallen asleep the night before.
After her frugal breakfast with the
old peasant folk-with whom she could
hold no conversation whatever-she
set out for the bedside OF the faithful
attendant who had been injured IN her
cause.
'Roleau, good morning, she said
How goes it, them?
"Excellentlyl am quite well,
find my wound not to be serious
can travel.
Better rest for yet time, SAID
Kitty. 1T will be the best medicine
for YOU. AS for myself. | purpose
now to 20 out and spy out the land.
She left him, making some excuse
to her peasant hosts, passed out from
the little cottage, She walked ON stead
ily. not i'll content after all, until Just
as she arrived at the edge OF the Tor
est she noticed advancing from us
depths a little party OF horsemen who
we're riding swiftly toward her on the
trail.
They came on at a gallop, foreign
looking men, richly clad, dark OF
visage, equipped as though Tor the
hunt. The apparent leader OF the
party, a 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 Bonlour
monsieur" said Kitty, with her usual
recourse to the French language
Eth bieu, c'est que vous parle2 Fran
cais?' And at once he himself broke
into yoluble French, much to ktty's
delight.
Il 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 We're
carefully estimating her, line by line
II beg your pardon, but mademoi-
selle is alone? Why?'
MY companion is III yonder at the
peasants house There was an acct.
dent yesterday with our motor--he is
not yet able 10 travel
Il am riding but now TO my own
hunting lodge. few miles yonder al
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 II you can ride -
oh, yes. said Kitty q 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 discreetIY
but made Kitty welcome
Now. be off with you all" ex
claimed Count Sacho TO the wood
land paths. since the morning is SC
fresh
"Mademoiselle. you viii have re
f.eshments2" he asked, as, laughing
gayly, the Others dispersed
Nothing more for me than cur
OF tea, said Kitty grayely Lest yot
think me rude perhaps 1t may BE-
we'll for me to excuse myself Is there
Hnv way IN which may get hack L
the cottage where left my man"
Not so fast. not so fast as all that
ma cherie' You have not tested GU
my humble place as we'll as ! woul'
ask Come, what you think OF 1t
Not his words 40 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, sinl
ing. Her gesture angered him and h
stepped forward but more swiftl'
At once Kitty gave voice to lou
cry OF terror--the appeal for help
Womans first weapon OF defense 70
even as she did 80, she heard III
sound Of boots on the trail beyond IN
edge OF the forest
"Roleaul" She cried aloud ="
moi"
Kitty guessed rather than heN
that Roleaus uneasiness on her a
count had led him TO pursue he
Such, indeed, was the case
'Wh0 are you. man. dpmande
Count Sachio, imperlously Il a
Sachio OF Grahoften, man -one wi
need not declare himself 10 you YoI
life shall pay for this!"
Good Why not now. my friend
retorted Roleau calmly u have set
men Of many sorts before now b
none that I feared This lady Is
my care. She will ride with me al
we will ride better horses than tn
on which | came"
Even as he spoke he passed rapid
among the spirited mounts OF the |
tie party lately arrived Two he
lected for himself and Kitty. WI
the others he was busy with fe
strokes Of the short knife he wor
He grinned as he came out fro
among the horses.
80, Monsieur Sachio OF Grahoffer
said he, you will ride with shc
girths II you follow US" In truth
had cut a piece out OF the girth
each one of the unused horses.
An instant later he and Kitty we
mounted and speeding away