Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20


mas killed me; feel it in my lungs. IT'S n
pity, too, for l was just beginning to enjoy
it."
lifted him as I would a babe, and Oft we
set again, my teeth shutting tight on the
pain of my hurt. And presently, coming to
little dingle about half a mile down the
hillside, well hid with dead bracken and
blackberry bushes consulted with the girl
The place was well sheltered from the wind
that rocked the treetops, and feared to go
much farther, for we might como on open
country at any moment and SO double our
peril. 1t seemed best, therefore, to lay the
old gentleman snugly in the bottom Of this
dingle and wait for day. And with my buff
coat, and a heap of dried leaves, made him
fairly easy, reserving my cloak to wrap
about Mistress Deia's fair neck and shout
ders. But against this at first she protested.
For how are you to mannge2" she asked
81 shall tramp up and down, and keep
watch" answered l, strewing couch for her
beside her father; land It's but fair exchange
for the kerchief you gave me from your own
throat"
At last persuaded her. and she crept close
TO her father, and under the edge of the buff
coat for warmth. There was abundance of
dry bracken in the dingle, and with this and
some handfuls of pine needles l covered them
over and left them to find what sleep they
might
For two hours and more after this hobbled
to and fro near them as well as my wound
would allow, looking up at the sky through
the pine tops, and listening to the sobbing Of
the wind. Now and then l would swing my
arms for warmth, and breathe on my fingers,
that were sorely benumbed and all the while
kept my ears on the alert, but heard nothing,
Twas, as | said, something over two hours
after, that l felt soft, cold touch, and then
another, like kisses on my forehead. | put up
my hand and looked up again at the sky. AS
did so the girl gave long sigh and awoke
from her doze.
"Sure l must have dropped asleep" she
said, opening her eyes and spying my shadow
above her; "has aught happenedr
"Ay," replied l, something is happening
that will wipe out our traces and my bloody
track"
"And what is thatr'
"Snowl See, tits falling fast"
She bent over and listened to her father:
breathing.
"'Twil kill him." she said, simply.
pulled some more fronds of the bracker
to cover them both. She thanked me and of
fered to relieve me in my watch, which | re
fused. And indeed by lying down l should
have caught my death very likely.
The big flakes drfted down between the
pines, till, as the moon paed, the grounC
about me was carpeted all in white, with thu
foliage black as ink above it. Time aftel
time, as l tramped to and fro paused Il
brush the fresh forming heap from the sleep
crs' coverlet and shake it gently from thu
tresses of the girls hair. The old mans fac,
was covered completely by the buff coat, bu
his breathing was calm and regular as an,
child's.
Day dawncd. Awaking Mistress Della
asked her to keep watch for time, while
went Off to explore. She crept out from hel
bed with little shiver Of disgust.
Pun about" advised, land keep tn
blood stirring"
She nodded and looking back, as I strod
down the hill, l saw her moving about quick
IS, swinging her arms, and only pausing t
wave hand to me for good speed.
Twas an hour before | returned, and plent
had to tell. Only at the entrance to tn
dinGle the words failed from or my tongue
The old gentleman lay as he had lain through
out the night. But the bracken had bee
tossed aside, and the girl was kneeling owe
him. l drew near, my step not arousing her
Sir Deabln's face was pale and calm; but o
the snow that had gathered by his head lay
red streak of blood Twas from his lung;
and he was quite dead.