Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-18
of work.

| llXN1EAO ny mere HCclupnt,
| TX TX ~ discovered the secret
knkM of my masters fatal
NH GL illness. 1t happened
~---W One afternoon when
l was free for a few hours / stroled
down the road toward Or. Squires'
house, habi; generally drawing My
/ footsteps in that direction. ! was in
tent upon no particular purpose. was
merely walking along for the change.
| frequently like TO get off by myself
and lie down in the woods or on the
green grass and think. | am a great
lover of nature The birds and grass
and flowers always appeal TO me.
When alone in the woods. will
watch the birds by the hour, finding
more enjoyment therein than in the
company OF man, or an army Of busy
ants will amuSe me for half a day.
would not hurt one of these insects for
anything or permit them to be dis
turbed in their work, and yet l have
raised my hand against my fellow
creatures, partly in self defense, it is
true. to wound them or to take their
lives if necessary.
On this particular afternoon walked
down the country highway for some
distance, and then, attracted by the
song of wood thrush, | concealed my
self in thick clump of bushes and
listened. The bird could not see me,
and for long time ! lay there with
my eyes half closed listening to the
sweet music Of the dainty singer.
do not know how long | remained
there entranced by this private concert,
but suddenly the bird hushed its song
and flew away.
The noise that had frightened her
came from the hoofs of two horses,
which were cantering down the road
at rapid pace. | pcercd through the
leaves of the bushes at the riders. and
instantly all my gentle thoughts fled
The spell of the bird was no longer
upon me. All my evil. crafty nature
returned. The approaching riders were
Dr. Squircs and Miss Stetson.
Not a dozen PAGES from me a small
stream bubbled up from an under
ground spring, and it was quite GUS
tomary for riders TO give their horses
drink at this place. \ wooden trough
mad been sunk into the ground to re-
seive the water and to form drinking
vessel for the beasts
| was consequently not SURPRISED
when the two drew up their horses Just
franz ~ mo \ lnI
spring. The doctor dismounted and
held the horses while they drank in
the cooling draft. The two had been
engaged in conversation, and | Judged
that she had been trying TO extract his
secret from him.
Il do not consider it an honor to
keep your work so secret until YOU
have completed your discovery" she
was saying. Then all the world will
know it, and there is no special inter
Est in it for me-"
But have promised to tell it to you
before any one else hears of it," the
doctor answered.
How long before-oue day or one
bour?'
There was look of annoyance in his
face at her reply.
ANY number of days beforehand
ron wish" he answered.
'Well, then, wish TO hear it now"
she replied quickly, bright smile re-
enforcing her words
"Woman's impatience," he muttcrcd
1T has caused half the trouble in the
world"
THAT is unkind. don't like such
reflections upon my sex"
Nothing personal was intended. Miss
Belle. was merely uttering my re.
1ections aloud"
"Well, please don't do SO any more"
: The doctor watched the horses drink.
Ing for few moments and then, lean
ing against 'he saddle Of his black
stced, he said:
"Can you keep the secret if l divulge
It to youW
"Can |? ! don't think that question
is necessary"
NO, probably not. But l want your
promise that you will never reveal il
to anybody" he persisted
well, you have it. ! will never mon-
tion it until YOU give me permission"
"All right, then. | will tell you all.
Wh"n l was young man. | went to
lhdla as surseon in the English ar
my. There | met so many lcpers that
my attention was called particularly
10 This disease. At first they Disguised
ana alarmed me- Their rotting fingers
ana Toe joints, their running sores and
their emaciatcd bodies were so loath.
some that could hardly stay in their
presence but in time I got used to
them as we do to everything, | even
round myself plying them and won
dering If something couldn't be done
To alleviate their sufferngs and even
10 cure and stamp out 1se horrible lls