Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-29

but here her auStcre mother. who
wouldn't come in the room when Whisky
Dick called on business. actually pressing
both of the invalid hands. while her sister,
who never extended a finger to the ordinary
visiting humanity of the ncighborhooi,
looked on with evident comparcncy.
The wounded man suddenly raised Mrs.
SCOTS hand to his lips, kissed it gently, and,
with his smile quite vanished endeavorcd 20
rise to his feet. ITS of no usc--we must go.
Give me your arm, ned. Quick! Are the
horses therc'
Dear me- said Mrs. Scott quickly, II
forgot to say the horse cannot he found any
whore. Manuel must have taken him this
morning to look up the stock. But be will
be bacl; tonight certainly, and if to-nor-
row
Tho wounded man sank back 70 n sitting
position. As Manuel your man he asked
grimy.
"Ycs"
The two men exchanged cianccs.
"Markod on his left check aud drinks
good deal
"Yes,T said Kate, finding her voice
"Why:"
The amused lool, camc back to tho mans
eyes That kind of man isn't safe 10 wait
for We must take or own horse, Ned Ara
you ready
"Ne."
The wounded man again attempted to rise
He fell back. but this time quite heavily. lie
had tainted
Involuntarily and simultaneously the three
women rushed to his side. He cannot co.
said Kate. suddenly.
ale will be better in moment
"But only for moment win nothing in
duce you to change your mind"
ASST in reply sudden gust Of wind brought
a vollev Of rain against the window.
"That will, said the stranger bitterly.
"The rainf
A mile from here it is snow: and before
We could reach the Summit with these horses
the road would be impossible
He made a slight gesture to himself. as II
accepting an inevitable defeat, and turned to
his companion, who was slowly revyin-
under the active mnistraton of the two
women. II wounded man looked around
with weak smile This is one way Of
! going off, he said family, "but ! could do
this sort of thing as well on the road
You can do nothing now" said his friend.
decidedly. Before we get to the Gate the
road will be impossible for our horses
For any horses" asked Kate.
For any horses. For any man or beast,
might say. Where we cannot get out no one
can get in" he added. as ii answering her
thoughts Il am afraid that you won't see
your brother tomorrow morning. But I'll
reconnoiter a | can do SO without torturing
him" he said looking anxouslv al the help
less man; hes got about his share Of pain. I
reckon. and the first thing is to get him
easier" 1t was the longest speech he had
made to her: it was the first time he had
fairly looked her in the face His shy rest
lessnesS had suddenly given way to logged
resignation less distracted, but scarcely more
fatterng to his entertainers. Lifting his
companion gently in his arms, "a if be had
been child. lie reascendcd the staircase
Mrs. Scott and the hastily summoned Molly
following with overlooking solicitude. As
soon as they were alone in the parlor Mrs
Hale turned to her sister; Only that our
guests seemed to he as anxious to 90 now as you
We're to pacl; them off should have been
shocked at your inhu>pitallty. What has
come over You, Kate; These are the very
people You have reproached me 50 often with
not being civil enough to-
But who are they.
allow do know! There is your brothers
letter"
She usually spoke Of her husband a, John"
This slight shifting of relationship and re-
sppn-ibility to tho feminine mind was sicni-