Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-06
nee more. II wonder what thew are


doing in ENGLAND" he continued.
"Trout fishing has just begun, and
can imagine the dear old governor at
the Long pool, rod in hand. The
girls will stroll down in the after
noon to find out what sport he has
had, and they'll walk home across
the park with him, while the mater
will probably meet them half way.
And here am ] in this God-forsaken
hole with nothing to do but to keep
an eye on that ford there. Bhamo
is better than this. Mandalay is bet
ter than Bhamo, and Rangoon is bet
ter than either. Chivvying dakus is
Paradise compared with this sort Of
thing. Anyhow, I'm tired Of fishing"
He began to take his rod to pieces
preparatory to returning to his
quarters on the hill. He had Just I'M
shipped the last joint, when he be-
came aware that one Of his men was
approaching him. He inquired his
business, and was informed in return
that Dempsey, his sub. would be
glad to see him at the ford. Hand
ing his rod to the man he set off in
the direction of the crossing in ques-
ton, to become aware, as he APP
preached 1t, OF disreputable figure
propped up against a tree on the
nearer bank.
whats the matter. Dempsey?"
he inquired. "What on earth have
you got there, MANI"
"Well, that's more than can say"
the other replied. Hes evidently a
white man, and I fancy an English
man. At home we should call him
scarecrow. He turned up from across
the ford just now, and tumbled down
in the middle Of the stream like
shot rabbit. Never saw such a thing
before. He's not a pretty sight, is
he?"
'Poor devil" said Gregory. "He
seems to be on his last legs. I won
der who the deuce he is, and what
brought him into this condition"
"1've searched. and there's nothing
about to tell u.s." said Dempsey.
what do you think we had better
do with hm?"
"Get him up the hill" said his Sill
perior, without hesitation. when
he's bit stronger we'll have his
story out of him. I'll bet a few
years pay it will be interesting"
A file of men were called, and the
mysterious stranger was carried up
to the residence of the English Off
rers. It was plain to the least OBJ
servant that he was in very serious
condition. Such clothes as he pos
sesscd were in rags: his face was
pinched with starvation, and morea
over he was quite unconscious.
When his bearers, accompanied by
the two Englshmen, reached the
cluster Of huts, he was carried TO a
small room Mt the end of the officers
bungalow and placed upon the bed
After little brandy had been adj
ministered, he recovered conscious
ness and looked about him. Heav-
ing sigh of relief, he inquired
whore he might be.
you are at Nampoung," said
| Gregory, land you ought to thank
| your stars that you are not in King
| dom Come. If ever man was near
it, you have been. We won't ask you
for your story now; however, later
on. you shall bukh to your hearts
content. Now / am going to give
| you something TO eat. You look is if
you want it badly enough"
Gregory looked at Dempsey and
made sign, whereupon the other
withdrew, TO presently return carry
ing bowl of soup. The stranger
drank it ravenously, and then lay
back and closed his eyes once more.
He would have been clever nan
who could have recognized in the
emaciated being upon the bed, The
spruce, well-caredfor individual who
was known to the Hotel Of the Three
Desires in Singapore as Gideon
Hayle.
You'd better rest awhile now"
said Gregory, land then PERI APPS
you'll feel equal TO joining us at
mess, OF whatever you like to call
it,"
Thanks, very much" the man re-
piled, with the conventional utter
ance of an English gentleman, which
was not lost upon his audience. ~
hope | shall feel up to it,
Whoever the fellow is" aaid
Gregory, as they passed along ,he
veranda a few minutes later. "he mas
evidently seen better days. Poor
beGgar, I wonder where he's been,
and what he has been up to-"
1--WE shall soon find out" Dempsey
answered. "All he said when we
fshed him out of the water was at
last and then he tainted clean
away. | am not more curious than
my neighbors, but I don't mind adj
uniting that am anxious to hear
what he has to say for himself. Talk
about Rip Van Wrinkle, why, he is not
in 1t with this fellow. He could give
him points and beat him hollow"
An hour later the stranger was so
far recovered as to be able to join
his hosts at their evening meal. Be-
tween them they had managed to fit
him out with a somewhat composite
set of garments. He had shaved off
his beard, had reduced his hair to
something like order, and in conse-
quence had now the outward resem-
blance At least of gentleman.
"Come, that's better" said Greg
DRY, as he welcomed him. II don't
know what your usual self may be
like, but you certainly have more thc