The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-03-09

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 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.
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
II beg your pardon, but mademoi-
selle is alone? Why?"
"My companion is ill 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
hunting lodge, a 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. II can man.
age"
It 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 ALL" 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 q cuI
of tea,'' said Kitty gravely. Lest yor
think me rude-perhaps it may be
| well for me to excuse myself. Is there
any way in which 1 may get back tc
the cottage where 1 left my man."
"Not so fast, not so fast as all that
ma cherie! You have not tested ou1
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 made
| ho NV, hi
wine, now advanced toward her, smil
ing. Her gesture angered him and hi
stepped forward, but more swiftly
At once Kitty gave voice to a lou
cry of terror-the appeal for help;
woman's first weapon of defense. For
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 &C
count had led him to pursue he1
Such, indeed, was the case.
who are you, man." demande.
Count Sachio, imperiously. Il an
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. Il have see,
men of many sorts before now, bu
none that I feared This lady is i
my care. She will ride with me, an
we will ride better horses than tina
on which l 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 a fe7
strokes of the short knife he wor,
He grinned as he came out fro1
,, among the horses
$50, Monsieur Sachio Of Grahoffen
said he, you will ride with sho1
girths if you follow u.s." In truth b
. had cut a piece out of the girth {
each one of the unused horses.
An instant later he and Kitty we1
mounted and speeding away.
a |