The Raymer enterprise., 1916-01-27

HuHt' Inc apparent leaQer OF the
party. a stalwart, sturdy man, darh
OF hair and richly clad-rode slightly
in advance of the others.
Catching sight of young woman
and very pretty outstanding thu:
alone on the forest road. this gentle
man pulled up suddenly. "Bonjour
monsieur" said Kitty, with her usua
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 Kitty's
delight.
Il am an American" she went on tc
say.
i 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 III yonder at the
peasants house. There was an acci
dent yesterday with our motor-he Il
not yet able to travel"
Il am riding but now to my owr
hunting lodge, a few miles yonder al
the edge of the forest: why not come
with me SO that we might speak ovel
this matter? am entertaining
friends there-a little house party
there are other ladies'. You will bt
made welcome. II you can ride
"Oh. yes" said Kitty. Il can man
age"
1t was not long before they arrived
at the hunting lodge.
Count Saebio introduced his guests
with few words in his own language
They stared politely. smiled discreetly
but made Kitty welcome.
"Now, be on with you ALL" ex
claimed Count Sachio. ITO 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 a cuI
Of tea," said Kitty grayely. Lest yor
think me rude-perhaps 1t may bt
well for me 10 excuse myself. Is there
any way In which may get back t.
the cottage where left my man."
mot SO fast. not so fast as all that
ma cherie! You have not tested our
my humble place as we'll as | woult
ask. Come. what you think of It?
Not his words so much as his man
ner sent swift alarm into Kitty Gray'i
heart. Swiftly she arose and made
back as he, warmed somewhat by 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
mol"
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?" demande,
Count Sachio. imperiously. II 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. II have seel
men Of many sorts before now, bu
none that ] feared. This lady is Il
my care. She will ride with me, an,
We will ride better horses than tina
on which | came"
Even as he spoke he passed rapid,
among the spirited mounts of the III
tie party lately arrived. Two he sc
lected for himself and Kitty. Wit
the others he was busy with q fey
strokes of the short knife he wore
He grinned as he came out fror
among the horses.
so, Monsieur Sachio Of Grahoffen,
said he. you will ride with shor
girths II you follow u.s." In truth h
had cut piece out of the girth Q
each one Of the unused horses.
An instant later he and Kitty wer
mounted and speeding away.
| CHAPTER TX.