own parlor without asking your leave. But the whole thing tumbled so
suddent. And it didn't seem the square thing for me to lite out and
leave you lying there on the grass. That's why! I'm sorry I skeert that
old preacher, but he came upon me in the picture hall so suddent, that
it was a mighty close call, I tell you, to get off without a shindy.
Please forgive me, Miss Fontonelles. When you get this, I shall be going
back home to America, but you might write to me at Denver City, saying
you're all right. I liked your style; I liked your grit in standing up
to me in the garden until you had your say, when you thought I was
the Lord knows what--though I never understood a word you got off--not
knowing French. But it's all the same now. Say! I've got your rose!

Yours very respectfully,

RICHARD FOUNTAINS.

Dick folded the epistle and put it in his pocket. He would post it
himself on the morning before he left. When he came downstairs he found
his indefatigable host awaiting him, with the report of the veterinary
blacksmith. There was nothing seriously wrong with the mustang, but it
would be unfit to travel for several days. The landlord repeated his
former offer. Dick, whose money was pretty well exhausted, was fain to
accept, reflecting that SHE had never seen the mustang and would not
recognize it. But he drew the line at the sombrero, to which his host
had taken a great fancy. He had worn it before HER!

Later in the evening Dick was sitting on the low veranda of the cafe,
overlooking the white road. A round white table was beside him, his
feet were on the railing, but his eyes were resting beyond on the high,
mouldy iron gates of the mysterious park. What he was thinking of did
not matter, but he was a little impatient at the sudden appearance of
his host--whom he had evaded during the afternoon--at his side. The
man's manner was full of bursting loquacity and mysterious levity.

Truly, it was a good hour when Dick had arrived at Fontonelles,--"just
in time." He could see now what a world of imbeciles was France. What
stupid ignorance ruled, what low cunning and low tact could achieve,--in
effect, what jugglers and mountebanks, hypocritical priests and
licentious and lying noblesse went to make up existing society.
Ah, there had been a fine excitement, a regular coup d'theatre at
Fontonelles,--the chateau yonder; here at the village, where the news
was brought by frightened grooms and silly women! He had been i