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

its summer decoration OF ferns and
grasses and Wild flowers. At the other
end a door opened into another room,
smaller and richly furnished with
relics Of former grandeur
Everything was clean and well kept.
Every nook, shelf and corner was
dscked with flowers and ferns from
the canyon.
A strange house 1t was. full Of curt
Gus contrasts, but it fitted this quaint
child that welcomed me with such
gracious courtesy.
CHAPTER Y.
OVENS FIRST PRAYERS.
W.T. was with hesitation, almost
Xxi with fear, that l began with
KssssS<4 Gwen. But even had 1 been
ExsxgEJ able to foresee the endless
series of exasperations through which
she was destined to conduct me, still
would have undertaken my task.
For the child, with all her willfulness,
her tempers and her pride, made me,
| as she did all others, her willing slave.
Her lessons went on. brilliantly or
| She learned 10 read with extraordinary
rapidity, for she was eager to know
more of that great world of which the
Duke had told her such thrilling tales.
Writing she abhorred. She had no
one 10 write to. Why should she
cramp her fingers over these crooked
| little marks But she mastered with
| hardly struggle the mysteries of fig
ures, for she would have to sell her
cattle and dad doesn't know when
they are cheating" Her ideas of edu-
cation were purely unitarian. and
what did not appear Immediately use
full she refused to triiie with. And so
all through the following long winter
she yeXed my righteous soul with her
willfulness and pride. An appeal to
her father was idle. She would wind
her long thin arms about his neck
and let her waving rcd hair float over
| him until the old man was quite help
loss to exert authority. The Duke
could do most with her. TO please
him she would struggle with her crook
ed letters for an hour ut a time, but
even his influence and authority had
its limits.
Must II" she said one day in an.
swcr to a demand of his for more
faithful study; must II" And,
throwing up her proud little head and
sha king back with trick she had
her streaming red hair. she looked
straight at him from hcr blue gay
eyes and asked the mouos yllabic Qlcs-
ton. why" And the Duke looked
back at her with his slight smile FOR
few moments and then said in cold
even tones:
~ really don't know why" and
turned his back on her. Immediately
she sprang at him. shook him by the
arm and. quivering with passion, cried :
you are not 10 speak TO me like that
and you are not to turn your back
that way
What a little princess it is" he said
ndmiringly, land what time she will
give herself some day Then he added.
smiling sadly: WAS l rude. Gwen?
Then am sorry" Her rage was gone,
and she looked as if she could have
held him by the feet. As 1t was. too
proud to show her feelings, she just
looked ut him with softening eyes, and
then snt down to the work she had
refused. Tais was after the advent of
| the Pilot at Swan Creek. and as the
| Duke rode home with me that night,
| after long musing he said with hesita-
| ton: "She ought TO have some re-
| ligion, poor child: she will grow up
perfect little devil. The Pilot might
be of service if you could bring him
up. Women need that sort Of thing.
1t retines. you know"
Would she have him." asked.
Question" he replied doubtfuly.
You might suggest it,"
Which | did introducing somewhat
clumsily. fear. the Dukes name.
The Duke says he is TO make me
good" she cried. II won't have him.
hate him, and you too.' And for
that day she dsdained all lessons. and
when the Duke next appeared she
greeted him with the cXclamatic:s, Il
won't have your old Pilot, and don't
want to be good, and-and-you think
he's no good yourself" at which the
Duke opened his eyes.
How do you know? I never said
so"
You laughed at him to dad one
day"
Ibid Il" said the Duke gravely.
Then | hasten to assure you that I
have changed my mind. He is q good,
brave man"
HE falls Off his horse" she said,
with contempt.
II rather think he sticks on now"
replied the Duke, depressing Il smile.
Besides" she went on, hes just
kid. Bill said So"
"Well. he might be more ancient"
acknowledged the Duke, but in that
he is steadily improving"
Anyway" with an air Of hnality,
'he Is not to come here"
But he did come, and under her own
escort, one threatening August even
rg
Il found him in the creek" she an
nounced with defiant shamefacedness,
marching In the Pilot half drowned
Il think l could have crossed" he
said alphabetically, for Louis was get
ting on his feet again
mo, You wouldn't" she protested.
"Nou would have been down into the
canyon by now. and you ought to be