Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-04-06


id if you re not too many for me
But, a sudden thought striking him,
"why don't you sell this and your
watch and them clothes and go to the
mines and make stake thereI'
because I'd rather soldier, man.,
was the smiling answer--Gray's good
humor was indomit ble-"and down in
the bottom of your heart you know per-
fectly we'll you never see the uniform"
and here he laid hand ON Kearney's
shoulder-"that you don't more than
half wish you were in it again and rid
ing the trail or the prairie rather than
the iron track. don have to sell any
thing yet, i" he added, with almost u
laugh. Keep the whisky Mr.. Long.
You We more need Of 1T than | have. I'll
see you again after awhile. And with
that he rose and, nodding smilingly to
Kearney, snuntered from the car.
"Well, if that's train robber, " said
the latter as he reached and took the
flask from Longs unresisting hand,
there s''-tho top came off, and tho
flask was lifted to his lips hers $
long life to hmr'
Late that morning the relief train
came down from Pawnee, the east
bound express at its heels. Passengers
and baggage were laboriously transfer
red from one train to the other around
the scene of the wreck. Mr. Long, bid
ding mouruful adieu to No 1888, asked
Sergeant Kearney to see that the now
empty flask WAS returned TO the tall
Teller that talked of enlisting. "He may
talk till hell freezes over - said Long,
but not till | see him in uniform will
l believe he isn't lying, and even then
I'll misdoubt him for Il reformed train
robber or an escaped lunatic."
But of this and other unflattering
comments MIR. Gray was unconscious.
BY O'Clock some railway men arrived
from the Gap on IA hand car, proving
that the suspected tramp had at least
delivered his dispatches. People were
getting hungry by that time, and it
presently TRANSFERRED that the tall gent"
i'll the first sleeper was going back wien
the hand car to soc what he could buy
and send to them, as it would be noon
perhaps before the wrecking train, eto.,
could come Then the porter addressed
Mr.. Gray with message. Mrs. Main
waring begged to see the gentleman be-
fore he started.
She was calm and collected now, and
evidently ashamed Of the trouble sht
had given. The young lady was seated
by Oh open window, languidly drinking
in the fresh air, silken handkerchief
bound about her head.
eve are SO very much indebted tC
you, said the inatron, rising at the en-
trance of the young man, land both my
niece, Miss Leroy, and | wished t
thank you before we parted. am Mrs
Mainwaring, and my husband, Major
Mainwaring, whom | expect to NEE
today, will be glad to add his thanks tt
mine if you will kindly give me your
address"
Il assure you the thanks are unneces
sary. am only too happy to have beer
of the faiLtest service. | am awfullN
clumsy, fear " said Gray, smiling "a
his eyes wandered to Miss Loroy's face
She was leaning forward now and ex
tending the pretty white hand he haC
so admired much earlier that morning
And | want to say, yet don t know
how to say, how very much l thanl
you," she murmured, her words fall
ing hesitatingiy, 'and-pray, do no
think me impertinent, but did | not SCI
you-were you not on the Rhine las
May"
His whole manner seemed to chang
instantly. Quiet good humor and cour
tesy gave place to embarrassment, evel
awkwardness.
at was-possibly a brother of mine,
he faltered. II hope you'll have
very pleasant journey. Such i'll lucl
thus far, you know He barrel
touched the extended hand. "Goodhy
Goodby, Mrs. Mainwaring, They
they re waiting for me with that ham
car. And in an instant he was hasten
ing away.
But you haven't told us your nam
or your address, persisted the eide
lady.
ooh, it's Of no consequence. You re
member Mr. Toots, don 'tyou?' he Gale
back over his shoulder as he made hi
escape from the car. But on the plat
form without the fitting smile vanishe
and his face grew gray and sad as b
stopped and took long, long breath
Lesson number one, and toug
one, Darcy, my boy" he painted. IN
God. what is my name to be now"
(TO BE CONTGNUED)