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


queer shaped shield with diagonal lines
snd odd little figures, like tiny leaves,
out on the surface, and above 1t was tho
paw of an animal grasping "A dagger,
and there was scroll with some words
in a foreign tongue, Long knew not
what. He searched the cup of silver
that fitted OH tho base, but that was
smooth and polished. The red Russia
leather covering also bore no mark.
"That don't look like a train robber,"
said Kearney, pointing to the device on
the top of the stopper. Amt that
what you call coat of arms, or some
thing?"
Exactly, and what's an American
doing with coat of arms? Hos lifted
it from some dock or other, touring
through the west for buffalo and In
dians. He's slick one, sergeant, but
he can t fool me. Why, he just gave
himself dead away when he told mo he
wanted to ride up with me and Scut in
the cab, pretending he was out here to
with me about the officers that were
coming there to Ransom. Yes, sir. "
And Long grinned sardonically, despite
his pain.
Kearney's answer was long whistle
of amazement
You I'd never have got mo to believe
it if he hadn't made that break Fancy
a swell like him a-groomipg horses and
cleaning out stalls. Hush, suddenly
lowering his voice, for at the instant
Mr.. Gray came briskly into the car.
The dawn was so far advanced that
the night lights were no longer needed
and were burning blear and dim. The
battered baggage man, in no pleasant
humor, because an eXcursionist from
the rear Pullman with i'll timed jocu-
larity had asked him how he liked the
taste of his own medicine, was mutter-
ing profane comment on eXcursiOnlstS
in general and this one in particular,
US he took down the nearest lamp and
extinguished it. Gray's tall figure, be-
reft now of the ulster, was outlined
against the brighter light at the rear
door as he entered, and Long turned his
head and stared at him curiously. For
moment, coming as he did from the
outer air where it was now almost
broad daylight, though the sun was not
yet peeping over the eastern horizon,
the newcomer was not quite sure
whether the dark object Oh the floor
was or was not the engineer, but he
spoke cheerily.
"I'm looking for Mr. Long, he said.
al l. 4 Ia
you are. How are you feeling;"
"As well as man can who's turned
half a dozen somersaults in the mud,
You can thank God you didn't get
aboard the cab, "
81 can indeed, " laughed Gray. "I'ye
never practced mounting and dismount-
ing at gallop from "a locomotive,
though I've tried it often enough from
my horse. -
Mr. Long winked expressively al
Kearney, as though he would say,
Now watch out for lie, and prompt
ly popped the question.
80 you thought you'd join the cav
airy on that account, did your
And to the amazement Of Sergeant
Kearney and the incredulous disdain Of
Mr.. Long the calm reply was: THAT
what l IN going to Butte for. expec
to be at squad drill in a day or two
Possibly the sergeant here will be Civ
ing me my setting up, said he, turn
ing frankly and smilingly to kearney
You talk as though you knew TIL
drill already, sir, " said the sergeant
still unable to credit the statement, ye
powerless against the gay, frank gooc
humor of the civilian, land it ism t tn
likes of you that generally take
blanket"
"Oh, | used to shoulder arms in tin
militia, laughed Gray, land do tn
fonr exercises, but I'm green as any re
cruit in your party, as you II probabl.
find out, if you re going to Ransom. "
Kearney looked at Long and Lon,
glared at Kearney. This was simpl.
too brazen fraud for the engineer
patience.
"Do you mean to tell me man VIII
wears clothes like them and carries
flask like this can't find any easier wa
of making living:" said he.
Positive fact" laughed Gray, de
! bonar as before "I'm at the end Q
my tether or soon will be, and Nv
, come all the way out here for no othe
, purpose.
Why didn't you save your none
and list in the east, where you cam