Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-09-19


fort so harmonious the whole movement
that the light skeleton wagon seemed only
q prolonged process of that long, slim body
and free, collarless neciI, both straight as
the thin shafts on each side, and straighter
than the delicate ribbonlika traces which
In what seemed q mere nifeotation of con
scious power, hung at times almost limp
between the whillctree and the narrow
breast band, that was all that confined the
animals powerful forcqucrters. So SIT
perb was the reach Of its long, easy stride
that Rose could scarcely sec any unduln-
ton in the brown shining back, on which
she could have placed her foot, nor felt the
soft beat of the cate hoofs that took the
dust so firmly and yet 80 lightly.
The rapidity of motion which kept them
both with heads bent forward and seemed
to force back any utter&lco that rose to
their lips, spared Rose the obligation of
conversation, and her companion was
equally rcticent. But it was evident to
her that he half suspected she was running
away from the Handolphs. and that she
wished to avoid tho embarrassment of be
ing overtakcn even in persuasive pursuit.
1t was not possible that lac knew the cause
of her flight and yet she could not account
for his evident desire TO bcfriend her, nor
above all for his apparently humorous en-
joyment Of the situation.
Had ne taken it graycly she might have
been tempted to partly eonlide in him and
ask HE advice Was she doing right, after
alp Ought she not 70 have stayed long
enough to speak her mind to Mrs Ran
dolph aud demand To be sent homes mol
She had not only shrunll from repeating
IN inf IL Ion, lo ho1
but sho had terrible fear that ii she had
done 50 Mrs. Randolph was capable Of de
nying il, or even charging her with being
still under the influence of tae earthquake
shock and Of walking in her sleep. MOI
She could not trust her--sha could trust
no one there. Had not even the major lis
tened to those Infamous lies? Had she
not seen that he was helpless in the hands
of this cabal in his own household-a ca
bal that she herself had thoughtlessiy
joined against him'
They had reached the first slight ascent.
Fer companion drew out his watch. looked
at it with satisfaction and changed the po-
sition Of his hands on the reius. Without
being able to detect the difference she
felt they were slackcniug speed She
turned inquuingly toward him He nod
Gcd his head with half smile and gest-
uro TO her to look ahead. The spires of san
Jose were already family uplifting from
the distaut fringe Of oaks.
So soon In half an hour she would be
therc-and then. she remembered sud
denly she had not yet determined what TO
do Should she 90 on ut once TO san Fran
cisco or telegraph to her father and await
him at san Jose In either case a new fear
of the prouiPitaucy OF her action and the
iuadequacy Of her reasons had sprung up
in her mind Would her father understand
herr Would lac unjerrate the cause and
be mortified at the insult she had given She
family Of his old friend, or more dreadful
still, would he eXaggerate her wrongs and
seek "a personal quarrel with the major?
He was man of quick temper and had he
western ideas Of redress. Perhaps even
low she was preciptatlng duel between
them Her checks grew wan again her
breath came quickly; tears gathered IN her
eyes Ola, she was "A dreadful girl, she
know it, She was an utterly miserable
one, and she knew chat, too.
The reins were frightened, the pace les
scncd and Mt last fell to "a walk. Conscious
Of her tellt3le eyes and troubled face she
dared not turn to her companion To ask
him why but glanced across the fields.
"WLen You first came | didn't get to
know your name, Miss Mallory, but
reckon know your father
Her father What made him say thate
She wanted to sqeai but she felt she could
not. In another moment, If he went on,
she must do sometninE-she would cry,
Il reckon you ii be wanting to 20 to the
hotel first anywaJ>'
THERE She knew H. Tie would keep on.
And now she had bur4t into tpa~s