Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-09-28

an improvised bar. consisting Ct two bar |
rels on end and % broad plank laid there
on, with rough shelf behind, quite
loaded with black bottles and kcg or
two of the omnipresent lager beer. Over
this affair presided lean. notified faced
man, shrewd and quiet of manner, yet
ever alive to the free circulation of coin
and handy-very handy-with the re-
volver. This was old Lundy busy enough
Just now handing ont the drinks and
swabbing MP the Stops. He was keen of
eye. dextcrous of hand and discreet of
tongue Behind him, in full view, re-
posed pile of loose silver change and a
handsome Smith {; Wesson--one of fine
latest self cooking affGirs-as if careless
~ thrown there by chance.
In larger cabin nearby two sets Of
dancers were grating noisily, two fid.
dlcrs industriously saving, and a swarm
Of cxpectant forms and faces watching
the "giddy whirl" from every available
chink and opening. A motley crowd Of
less eager yet not less joyous revelers,
We're gathered about several roaring fires
under the trees outside. They We're
cracking clepbantine jokes. spinning
yarns and otherwise indulging i'll Il loose
horse play of frontier wit and laughter
There was thin sprinkling of petticoats
here and there together with u plcnti-
tude of breeches and boots everywhere.
A few blue uniforms from the post de-
noted that these arcadian gayeties Were
not of too ple6iau a flavor for certain
pleasure loving sons of Mars, whose ban
lshmcnt from moro select revels had
doubtless liberalized their tastes. Per-
haps they were also there to preserve
order-who knows?
Wherever the boomers congregate
there are the soldiers Also was quite a
current apothegm Of the time and place,
and doubtless there We're cOgent reasons
for the same.
Ladies being at premium, the fair
ones who danced We're kept in as con
slant exercise as their endurance or good
nature permitted None was more ac-
lively or congeually occupied than Ari-
zony, who, az Burl Yates airily expressed
it. took to the light fantastic as natu-
rally as Il pig to a puddle in the road"
Burl himself, as he averred, was no
SLOUGH at turnin his partner in the most
approved western style. Having, how
ever, been on the floor for three consecu-
five sets. he naturally felt rather dry
as he handed Arizony to seat against
the wall after an extremely active reel,
during which the skirts and ankles of
that attractive young boomercss fairly
twinkled in the abandon of her light and
supple movements.
That dancing was keen enjoyment to
her was very evident. Lieutenant Stir
ling. Watching her from the doorway,
noticed that even during the pauses in
the set her feet and lithely swaying fig
ure still gently kept time to the swing of
the music. Once when Burl-revOlving
heavily--veered somewhat ont of his
usual orbit, she turned herself with an
imaginary partner in the most bcwitch-
ing manner
Il wish you wouldn't drink so often,
Burl," she whispered as that fatigued
giant announced his intentional absence
for about ~ minutes"
Better let me fetch You a small sized
stitfener," was that gentleman inele-
! CANT reply.
Not much you won't. I've had two
| beers, and that's enough for any lady tc
carry. But if you will go-touch il
( light, old man, or | won't dance another
set with you this night"
You make me dizzy, child" returned
Yates, not much alarmed by this threat
As he turned away he brushed square
lyagainst the lieutenant at the door. He
scowled at the latter's shoulder straps
apologized clumsily and disappeared.
Philip had been grumbling to himself
at the fate which had placed him il
charge of the score of troopers detailed
by the commandant to maintain order
at Lundy's upon this occasion. Arizony
the only girl he at all cared to talk TO
had been SO surrounded by big bootet
and flannel shirted admirers as to NOV,
him with disgust. Especially did 1t
dislike the air of domincering fondnes
with which Yates continued to mOnopO
lie her hand and attention. ArizonyI
choice Of fellow" was far from i'm
maculate yet what else but low taste
We're to be expected in creature st
wild and unconventional? Her sur
roundings We're simply barbarous from
a West Point standpoint.
Her methods of fascination smackedO
the lawlessness and irregularity Of tina
border life Of which she was herself 81
perplexing an outcome. Now, however
she was for a moment free. Stirlin!
fancied just then that she looked weariec
and anxious. She might even be some
what bored, though of that he was not s,
sure. He hcsitated, now the opportuni
ty had arrived, as to whether it was re
ally worth while for him to dotf his Off
cial reserve and speak TO her. Then h
saw another numbering idiot crushing
= his way toward the girl, This decided
; him of course. An instant later he wa
before her cap in hand for the moment
while the other man, with snort of dis
gust, took himself elsewhere-probabl.
to the bar--for consolation.
"Now, You'll want me to dance" SAT-
, Arzony. holding up IA cheap, flaming re,
paper fan III Il coquettishly protestin