Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-05

s sS.s.sg Something must he done and
lulckiy. hut what? 1t would be
death to any one appearing ut the
door
"fli speak. You keep your eyes on
bim.' said the Duke
Hello, Bruce. What's the row."
shouted the Duke.
Instantly the singing stopped, A
look of cunning delight came over his
face as, without a word. he got his rifle
ready pointed at the door
Come in" he yelled, after waiting
for some moments. come in. You're
the biggest of all the devils. Come on:
I'll send you down where you belong.
Come, whats keeping your
over the rifle barrel his eyes cleaned
with frenzed delight. We consulted as
10 a plan.
81 don't relish bullet much" I said.
There are pleasanter things" re.
eponded the Duke, and he 10 a fairly
good shot"
Meantime the singing had started
in. a nd, looking through the chink.
saw that Bruce had got his eye on the
stovepipe again. While I was looking
the Pilot slipped away from US to-
ward the door.
Come back" said the Duke Don't
be fool! Come back he'll shoot you
dead
Moore paid no heed to him. but stood
waiting at the door In a few moments
Bruce blazed away again ut the stove
pipe. Immediately the Pilot burst in,
ca Ling out eagerly.
Did you get him."
NO" said Bruce disappointedly.
He lodged like the devil. as of course
he olght. you know
"I'll get him." said Moore; Smoke
him out" proceeding to open the stove
door
stop" screamed Bruce. Don't
open that door. It's full, tell you"
Moore paused. Besides" went on
Bruce. smoke won't touch EN-
"Oh, that's all right" said Moore
coolly and with admirable quickness.
stand that
This was apparently a new idea in
demonoloHy for Bruce, for he sank
back. while Moore lighted the fire and
put OH the teakettle. lie looked
round for the tea caddy.
Up there" said Brace. forgetting for
the moment his devils and pointing to
a quaint, old fashioned tea caddy upon
the shelf.
Moore took 1t down, turned it in his
hands and looked at Bruce.
"Old country, eh?'
"My mothers" said Bruce soherly.
II could have sworn it was my
aunts in Ballymeua.' said Moore.
My aunt lived in little stone cottage
with roses all over the front Of It,"
And on he went into an enthusiastic
description Of his early home. His
voice was full of music soft and sooth-
Ing, and poor Bruce sank back and lis
tened rhe glitter fading from his eyes.
The Duke and looked at each other.
Not TOO bad. chg said the Duke
after few moments silence.
Lets put up the horses" | suggest
ed. They won't want us for half an
hour"
When we came in. the room bad been
set in order, the teakettle was singing,
the bedclothes were Strengthened out,
and Moore had Just finished washing
the blood stains from Bruces arms and
neck.
Just in time" he said. Il didn't
Ike to tackle these" pointing to the
bandages.
All night long Moore soothed and
tended the sick man. now singing
softly 10 him and again beguiling him
with tales that meant nothing but
that had a strange power to quiet the
nervous restlessnesS due partly to the
pain of the wounded arm and partly TO
the nerve wrecking from his months Of
dissipation The Duke seemed uncom-
Portable enough. lie spoke TO Bruce
once or twice. but the only answer was
groan OF curse, with an increase of
restlessness.
He'll have n close squeak" said the
Duke. The careleSsncss of the tone
was little overdOne, but the Pilot
was stirred up by it.
He has not been fortunate in his
friends" he said, looking straight into
his eyes
"A man ought to know himself when
the pace is too swift" said the Duke.
n little more quickly than was his
wont
you might have done anything
with him. Why didn't you help him p
Moore's tones were stern and very
steady, and ne never moved his ewes
from the other mans face but the only
reply lie got was a shrug Of the Shout.
ders.
When the gray of the morning was
coming in at the window the Duke
rose up, gave himself II little shake and
said:
II am not Of any service here.
shall come back in the evening"
He went and stood for few mo
hents looking down upon the hot.
fevered face; then, turning to me, he
asked:
What do you Think"
Cant say, The bromide is holding
| him down inst now. His blood is bal
for that wound"
"Can get anything" I knew hin
well enough TO recognize the anxiety
under his Indifferent manner
'"The Fort doctor ought to be got"
He nodded and went out.
'have bfea xfaSIY' called out Moore