Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-10-05

~ Ou-hcre aga1nf he Qucried, feel
ing what complete waste Of words he
must have made of his former interior
ance and interest in her behalf.
u know what You think" she began
hurricdly. "but | can't stop long to eX-
plain. Durl will be wgtching Ioughtn't
to have showed up to you, BUT | saw you
and him to- ..l:.,', and know he's dan
gerous. ~ ~ all a-gettin dangerous
down at the calup. You've made an en-
envy of Burl- mostly through me, fear
and he hatcs the sight of YOU. So
couldn't h>ipfjipuir' back ~ warn you
against ny. ey,n !: you do see me IN
these duas.'
She surveyed herself rather ruefully,
then looked up GISterling and laughed.
ooh. I've worn EN- before" she con-
tinued 1--WE women on the border have
~ do a-many thing that would make
you biz folks stare, but-hut we cant
help 4. ing 'ein-I tell you We have to-
or do worse
She stan eel her foot inpaticntly. asif
divining by hashoc,;ed and serious looks
That he Inferred the worst to be quite pos
sible-with such as she
"Arizony, this may all be so, vet'-he
began, but she impetuously interrupted
him.
Never mind about me. came out
this time to help Eurl stake ont another
rlaim. He would have me come, and it
rccmed best to put on tl..e clothes. But
what want to say to yOC a this; Don't
you go far from your men--or be much
alone on the prairie. Don't never leave
your weapons behind. Burl'--
why do you cling TO that man, Ari-
zony:'
"Meblc e. It's my business" she re-
turned little sulleny.
Il only ask because am interested in
you"
His kindly words and manner seemed
TO effect her like an actual physical pain.
She twisted her fingers together and
looked nervously about.
i've known him so long" she faltered.
"Solnetimcs I'm more afraid Of him than
anything else, yet he cares for lne-he
loves me better than any one. I've had
other bcauX, too. There was Oily Pete
down at Tcxariana--he had the slickest
tongue. Then came Tip Padgett-he
was Il bunko Gtccrer or something at
/ Waco: he quite paralyzed me with his
| airs. I've had otherS-no end of EN-, in
fact. They come and they go. Some
/ times ] like EN-, but more often | don't.
But Burl-somehow he stuck and hung
He got round mother afore She left,
! till She said. 'Arizony, if it's long of Burl
/ that you won't 90 back east with me,
you'd better marry him And so-and
sol reckon | will-some day"
so it really was on his account that
YOU did not go with your mother"
Il don't know what right You have to
be aSkin." she retOrted, then paused as
his sympathetic expression again arrest
cd her resentment. But | might as well
say yes" she continued pathetically.
"l'm very helpless creature, with all
my airs and somehow | can't help dom
what Burl wants me to do There, don t
keep me here any longer. He may be
a-watchin ont" She began to retrace
her steps, bUt called back, Don't forget
what I've told You Gnd-be very careful
Of yourself"
In another minute Ari2ony was ont of
sight, and the lieutenant rode on to the
rendezvous with considerable fresh food
for contemplation.
That girl is something of mystery
TO me- Inc sand to himself. She likes
that fellow, and yet she fears him.
Strange creatures, some of these women
are. Yet | cannot help pinning some
faith to her purity and her truth. They
may be only rags, however, Who
knows"
He sighed and lighted a cigarette.