Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-02-05

their mufled coverings, and pu. 0n the ones
designated.
"Now open The door
He did so. Falkncr was already waiting
at the threshold. Turn Manuel loose with
the other, Ned, but disarn him first. They
might quarrel. The habit of carrying arms,
Manuel added Lee. as Fall;ncr took a pistol
and bowie knife from the halfbrred, us Of
itself provocative of violence and inconsistent
with a bucolic and pastoral life"
When Talkucr returned he said hurriolly
to his companion: DO you THINK il wise,
George. to let those hcllhounds loose: Good
Col, | coald scarcely let my grip Of his
throat 20 when | thought of what they were
hunting"
"My dear Ecd,' said Lee, 1uxuriously on
s%colcing himself under tho Lc,lclothcs again
with Il slight slivcr Of delicious warmth. II
must warn you against allowing the natural
pride Of a higher walk to prejudice YOU
against the general level Of our profession.
Indeed, ! was quite struck with the justice Of
'%ianuoi's protest that ! was interfering with
certain rude processes Of his own toward re-
suit aimed at by others"
"Cco"gc!' interrupted Fal,incr almost
slvagcly.
"Wc,l. admit its getting rather late in
the evening Tor pure philosophical inquiry,
ana YOU arc tired. Practically. Then. il ,"ds
wise to lot them get away before they di,cov-
cred two things. one, our exact relations
here with these women; and the other, ho,c
maay of us were here. At present they think
We are three or four in possession and with
the consent OF the women
"Thc dogs
"Thcy are paying us the highest compli-
mcnt they can conceive of by ,uppo~in% Us
c%lcvcicr scoundrcls than Themselves. You
ore very unjust, Ned"
"lf they escape and tell their story
1--WE shall have The rare pleasure of know
ing We are better than people believe us.
And now put thoS" boots away somewhere
whore we can produce them il necessary, as
evidence of Manuel evening call. At pres
cnt we'll keep tho thing quiet, and in the
early morning you can lind on where they
got ia and rcnovcany traces they have left.
1t j. ~ Use to brighten the women. There's
10 fear OF their returning"
"And ii they get away"
eve can follow in their tracl;S.'
"If Manuel gives the alarm:"
"With his burglarious boots left behind in
the hous.: Not much. Good night, ned.
Go 10 bed"
With these words Lee turned on his side
ard quietly resumed his interrupted slunber.
Ialkncr did not. however, follow this sensible
advice. When he was sa;i lied that his friend
was sleeping he opened the door softly and
looi;cd oul. He did not appear to be listen.
lux. for his eyes were fixed upon Il small pen
ell of light that stole acru>, the passage irou.
tne foot Of kate's door. lie watched it Wuti
it Suddenly disappeared, when, leaving IL,
door partly open, le threw himself on Ia,
couch without removing his clothes. TIL.
slight movement awakened Tie sleeper. who
WIZ lightning to feel the accession Of fever
lie moved rcstlo.sly.
"Gcorgc.' said Faulkner, softly.
"Ncs.n
"Wheie was il we passed that Old Mission
church on the road ono dark night, and saw
Che light burning bcrorc tl" figure Of tn,
Virgin through the winlov;:'
There was q moment of crushing silence
"Docs that mean you're wanting to light IT,,
candle again.
"No"
"lhan don't il. there i%nyenti,.s sacrilegiou.
conunGrrms, hui go to .lccp."
Nevertheless, in the morning his fcvcr wa.
slightly worse. Mrs. Hale, offering hcr CON
dplcncr, said. II know that YOU have no.