Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-05-11

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 a young woman
and a very pretty outstanding thus
alone IN the forest road. this gentle
man pulled up suddenly. "Bonjour,
monsieur said Kitty, with her usual
recourse to the French language.
En- bien. c'est que vous parlez Fran
cais?" And at once he himself broke
into voluble French, much to kitty's
delight.
II 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 i'll yonder at the
peasants house. There was an acct
dent yesterday with our motor-he is
not yet able to travel"
II am riding but now to my own
hunting lodge, q 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. II you can ride
"Oh, yes" said Kitty. Il can man.
age"
1t was not long before they arrived
at the hunting lodge.
Count Sachio introduced his guests
with a few words in his W language.
They stared politely, smiled d%iscreetly,
but made Kitty welcome.
Nov, be of with you ALL" ex.
claimed Count Sachio. ITO 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 it may be
web for me to excuse myself. Is there
any way in which I may get back to
the cottage where I 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 l would
ask. Come, what you think Of it?
Not his words SO much as his
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 80, she heard the
sound Of hoofs On the trail beyond the
edge Of the forest.
"Roleau!" She cried aloud, "A
mol"
Kitty guessed. rather than knew,
that Roleau's uneasiness on her &C.
count had led him to pursue her.
"Who 'man?" demanded
s sD c Irahoffen, man-one who
need not declare himself to you. Your
life shall pay for this!"
Good! Why not now, my friend?"
retorted Roleau calmly. II have seen
men Of many sorts before now. but
none that I feared. This lady Is in
my care. She will ride with me, and
we will ride better horses than that
on which I 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. With
the others he was busy with a few
strokes Of the short knife he wore.
He g%rinned as he came out from
among the horses.
$50, Monsieur Sachio Of Grahoffen,"
said he, you will ride with short
girths II you follow u.s." In truth he
had cut a piece out OF the girth OF
each one Of the unused horses.
An instant later he and Kitty were
mounted and speeding away.