Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-02-19
SNOW BOUND At BAGT.R'S
BY BRET HARTE.
copyrighted by Houghton, Mif1iin & Co, and
published BY arrangement with Them
CHAPTER VIII.

Kate was stirring early, but not as early as
her room. Her face was quite pale, and sho
held a letter in her hand. "What does this
mean, katef'
"What is, tho matterlr asked Kate, her own
color fading from her cheek.
They arc gone--with their horses. Left
before day, aud left this"
She handed Kate an open letter. The girl
took it hurriedly, and read:
"When you get this we shall be no more;
perhaps not even as much. Ned found tho
trail yesterday, and we arc taking the first
advantage of it before day. We dared not
trust ourselves to say Goodbye last even
ing; we were too cowardly to face you this
morning; we must go we came, without
warning, but not without regret Wo leave
package and a letter for your husband 1t
Is not only our poor return for your gentle
ness and hospitality, but, since it was acci-
dentally the means of giving us the pleasure
of your society, we beg you to keep it in safe
ty until his return. We kiss your mothers
hands Ned wants to say something more,
but time presses, and / only allow him to
send his love to Minnie, and TO tell her that
he is trying to find the red snow.
GEORGE LEE"
"But he is not fit to travel" said Mrs.
Hale "And the trail-it may not be pass
able"
at was passable the day before yesterday"
said Kate drearily. for ! discovered it. and
went as far as the buckeyes"
"Thcn it was you who told them about it,
said Mrs Hale reproachfully
"No' said Kate Indignantly. "Of course
didn't" She stopped, and, reading the sig
niiicance of her speech in the glistening eyes
of her sister, she blushed Josephine kissc,.
her and said
at was treating us like children, Kate.
but we must make them pay for it hereafter
For that package and letter to John means
something, and we shall probably see them
before long. / wonder what the letter is
about, and what is in the package.'
"Probably one Of Mr.. Lees jokes. He is
quite capable Of turning the whole thing into
ridicule. | dare say he considers his visit
here prolonged jest"
"With his poor leg. Kate, You are as I'M
fair to him as you were to Falkner when they
first came
Kate, however, kept her dark eyebrows
knitted III a piquant frown.
80 think of his n,imating 'rLut he would
allow Fallner TO say! And yet you believe
he has 10 evil influence over the Young
man"
Mrs Hale laughed. Where are YOU going
so fast, Kate she called, mischievously, as
the young lady nounced out of the room.
Where, Why, to tidy Johns room. He
may be coming at any moment now. Or do
you want g. do it yoursclf:'
"No, no" returned Mrs. Hale, hurriedly
'you do it. I'll look i'll Il little later on
She turned away with sigh The sun
was shining brilliantly outside Through
the half-opcn blinds its long shafts seemed
to be searching the house for the lost guests,
and making the hollow shell appear doubly
empty What n contrast To the dear darl;
security, lit by Lees laughter and the spark
ling hearth, which had passed so quickly!
The forgotten outer world seemed to have
returned to the house through those open
windows and awakened its dWcllerS from a
dream.
The morning seemed mtcrmmahlc and it
was past noon. while they were deep in a
conference with Mrs Scott. who |
had drawn Il pathetic word picture of the |
two friends pershing in the snowdrft, with |
out ilanrel,, brandy, smelling salts or jelly, |
which they had forgotten, when they were
startled by the loud barking of Spot on the
lawn before the house. The women looked |
at each other.
"They have returned" said Mrs. Hale
Kate ran to the window. \ horscman was
approaching the house. \ single glance |
showed her that it was neither Falkner, Lee
1or Hale, but n stranger
"PcrhapS he brings some news of them,n
'aii Mrs. Scott, quickly. So complete had
1een their prcoccupation with the loss OF
heir guests that they could not yet conceive
If anything thatGid not pertain to it.
The stranger, who was ut once ltshered into
he parlor, was evidently disconnected by the
presence Of the three women.
"lrcckoned to see john Hale yer, " he began,
Iwkwardly.
y slight look of disappointment passed
'ver their faces. He has not Yet returned"
aid Mrs Hale briefly
"Sho | waiter know. He's he'd time to
10 it, reckon" said the stranger
81 suppose he hasn't been able to get over
rom the summit, returned Mrs Hale. "'Ths
rail is closed
III amt now, for KEN over it this morn.
a my self
You didn't-meet-any ones" asked
lrs lla.e timldly, with a glance at the
theirs.
"No.'
A long silence cnsued. The unfortunate
isitor p..nly perceived an evident abatc-
lent Of interest in himself, yet he still
truggled politely TO say something. Then
reckon you know what kept Hale awayp
e said obviously.
"Oh, certainly-thc stage robbery"
Il wish ia known that" said the stran-
cr relectiycly, for | ez good ez rode over
st TO tell it to we. Ye see John Hale, he
INT II note to We 'Splainin' matters by gem
eman; but the road agents tackled that
lan, and left him for dead in the road"
"Nes,' said Mrs. Hale mpatently.
"Luckily he didn't die, but KEN to and man
ged to crawl inter the bush, whar found
i'm when Twas loCkm' for stock, and brought
l.. |