Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-19


"IIave you a canyon, too?" she asked
gravcly.
Lady Charlotte paused a moment,
then nodded II did appear strange to
me that she should break down her
proud reserve and open her heart to
| thiS child
"And there are no flowers, Gwen; not
one she said. rather bitterly, nor sun
nor seeds nor soil fear"
ooh, If the Pilot were here he would
tell YOU"
At this point, feeling that they would
I'll her be alone, | excused myself on
the prctcxt Of looking after the horses.
What they talked of during the next
| hour / never knew. but when | re-
turned to the room Lady Charlotte was
reading slowly and with pcrplexed face
to Gwen out of her mothers Bible the
words for the suffering of DEATH
crowned with glory and honor
you sec even for him suffering"
Gwen said eagerly. "But I can't ex-
plain. The Pilot will make 1t clear"
Then the talk ended.
We had lunch with entertainments
and fresh. sweet milk and lslueberries-
and after an hour of gay fun we came
away.
Lady Charlotte kissed her tenderly as
she babe Gwen goodby
"Iou must let me come again and sit
at your window" she said, smiling
down upon the wan face.
"Ob. shall watch for you. How
good that Will be- cried Gwen delight
eddy. How many come to see me!
You mako five" Then she added soft
~, You will write your letter" But
Lady Charlotte shook her head.
II can't do that, | fear" she said,
"but shall think of it,
Ii was bright face that looked ont
upon us through the open window as
we rode down the trail. Just before
we took the dip into the canyon turn
ed to wave my hand.
Owens friends always wave from
here" said. wheeling my bronco
Again and again Lady Charlotte
waved hor handkerchief.
"How beautiful. but how wonder
ful." she said as if to herself. Truly
ut is quite beyond mo-" | answered
"The Pilot may explain
as there anything your Pilot can't
do" said Lady Charlotte.
"Tly him." ventured.
Il mean to- she replied. but I can
not bring any one TO my canyon, I
fear" she added in an uncertain Voice.
AS I left her at her door she thanked
me with courteous grace.
You have done great deal for me-"
she said. giving me her hand. 1T has
been beautiful. a wonderful, day"
When told the Pilot all the days
doings he burst out:
What stupid and self righteous
fool | have been, I never thought
; there could be any canyon in her life
How short our sight isl and all that
night could get almost no words from
him.
That was the first Of many visits tc
. Gwen. Not week passed but Lady
Charlotte took the trail TO the Meredith
ranch and spent an hour at Owens
window. often the Pilot found hei
there. But though they were Away
> pleasant hours 10 him he would come
home in great trouble about Lady Char
lotte
she is perfectly charming and doins
z Gwen No end Of good, but she is proud
as an archangel. HIS bad an awful
/. break with her family at home, and it
Is spelling her life. She told me Sc
: much. but she will allow no one to
touch the affair
7 But one day we met her riding TO
. ward the village AS we drew near
r she drew up her horse and held up a
( letter.
9 Home she said. IT wrote 1t today
Q and must get it off Immediately"
p The Pilot understood her at once, but
r he only said:
n Good but with such emphasis thai
we both laughed.
r YES | hope So" she said. with the
red beginning to show in her cheek. 81
n have dropped some seed into my can
yon"
[ II think see the flowers beginning
, to spring said the Pilot.
: She shook her head doubtfully ant
replied
: Il shall ride up and sit with Gwen a
. her window"
t DO" replied the Pilot, "the light Is
s good there, Wonderful things are TO h'
o seen through Ovens window"
J. Yes" said Lady Charlotte softly
Dear Gwen But | fear it is Otter
e made bright with tears"
Il As she spoke she wheeled her horse
e and cantered Oft for her own tear:
: were not far away. | followed her ii
t thought up the trail winding through
the round topped hills and dowr
= through the golden lights of the can
e yon and into Ovens room. | could ses
Q the pale face with its golden aureol,
light up and glow AS they sat hefor'
g the window while Lady Charlotte
e would tell her how Ovens canyon
It looked today and how in her own beal
canyon there was the sign of flowers.
CHAPTER XX.
@ now BILL FAVORED "HoME GROWN TX
o DUSTRIEs.