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

sloping meadows and fringcs of pines and
cottonwood, lay alone like summer island
in this frozen sea.
A sudden desire TO view this phenomenon
more closely, and to learn for herself tho
limits of this new tethered life, completely
possessed her, and, accustomed to act upon
her Independent impulses, she seized n hooded
waterproof cloak and slipped out of the house
hnperceived. The rain was falling steadily
along the descending trail where she walked,
but beyond, scarcely a mile across the chasm,
the wintry distance began to confuse her
brain with the incxtricsble swarming Of
snow. Hurrying down with fcversh excite
mcnt, She at last came in sight of the arching
granite portals of their domain. But her first
glance through the gateway showed it closed
ms if with n white portculis. Kate remcm-
hercd that the trail began To ascend beyond
the arch, and knew that what she saw was
only the mountain side she had partly climbed
this morning But the snow had crept down
its flank, and the exit by trail was prac-
tically closed. Brcathcssly making her way
bacl, 70 the highest part of the platcau-the
cliff behind tho house that here descended alb
ruptv to the rnin-dmmcd valcy-she gazed
nt the dizzy depths in vain for some undscov-
cred or forgotten trail along its face But n
single glance convinced her Of its inacces-
sbility. The gateway was indeed their only
outlet to the plain below She looked back
nj the falling snow beyond until she fanciod
she could sec in the crossing and recrosSing
lines the moving mcahos Of n fateful web
woven around them by vievlcss but mex
orahlc fingers.
Half frightened, she was turning away,
whom she perceived. few PAGES distant, tho
figure Of the stranger, Ned" also apparently
absorbed in tho gloomy prospect. He was
wrapped in the cinging folds OF n black
serapc braided with silver: the broad flap of
n slouched hat beaten back by the wind OK
posed the dark glistening curlS on his white
forehead. lie was certainly very handsome
and picturesque. and that apparently without
effort or consciousness. Neither was there
ANYTHING in his costume or appearance in
consistent with his surroundings, or even
with what Kate could Judge were his habits
or position Never heless she instantly de
cdcd that he WAS too handsome and too pic
turesque. without suspccting that her ideas
of the limitso Of masculine beauty were merely
personal experience.
As he turned away from the cliff they were
brought face to face. at doesn't look very
encouraging over there" he said quietly, as
if the incvtableness of the situation had re-
licved him Of his previous shyness and effort
its even worse than | expected The snow
must have begun there last night. and it
looks rs if il meant to STAY He stopped for
moment, and then, lifting his eyes to her,
said - suppose you know what this meanS"
Il don't understand you"
u thought not. We'll, il means that YOU
arc absolutely cut off here from any commu-
iiratiou or intercourse with any one outside
Of that canyon BY this time the snow is five
feet deor over the only trail by which one
can pass in and out of that gatcwaT. ! am
no; alarm V YOU, hope, for there is no rea!
physical danger; a place like this ought to
be we'll garriSoncd, and certainly is self-sup-
porting so far as the mere necessities and
even comforts are concerned You have
wood. water, cattle and game at your com
mand, but for two weeks at least you axe
completely isolated"
"Foi two wcehs, said Kate, growing pale
'ard my hrother:'
He knows all by this time and is prob
ably az assured as ! am of the safety of his
family"
"For TWO weeks, continued Kate, "imposs:'
,lc' You don't know my brother, He will
find some way to get to Us.
~ hope so, returned the stranger, grave
II, for what is possible for him is possible
for u,
Then you are anxious to get away, Kate
could not help saying.
"Nc,y."
The reply was not di>courtcou3 in manner,
lnt was 50 far from gallant that Kate felt a
now and inconsistent resentment. Before
She could say anything he added, And
hope You will remember, whatever may hap
pen, that | did my best to avoid staying here
longer than was necessary to keep my friend
from bleeding to death in th" road.
"Ccrtamly. SAID Kate: then added awk-
war,lly, Il hope hell be better soon" She
WI, silent, ami then, qurlicnins her pace,
said hur1ealy, u must tell my sister this
dreadful news"
u think She Is prepared for it. II there is
anything can do to help You hope YOU will
let me know. Perhaps | may be of some
service ] shall begin 10y exploring the trails
Tomorrow. for the best scrN ice wrcau do YOU
possibly is TO take ourselves on but can
carry Gun, and the woods are full Of game
driven down from the mountains Let me
show you something You may not hav,
noticed" Iie stopped and pointed 10 n small
knoll Of sheltered shruhbory and granite OF
thr opposite mountain, winch sim remained
black against the ,urromliu. snow II
seemed to he thicI,iy covered with moy ing
objects. They are wild animals driven on
81 the snow, said the stranger That large
one is @riHly: th"ro IL panther wolves
wildcats, a fox. and ,omc mountain goats
AN ulas.ortod party said tho Young girl
"lll luck make them companions. The,
arn too frightened TO hurt one another now.
"hut they will eat each other later ON, sal,
Kate, stealing glance at her companion
He lifted his long laShos and met l.er eyes
"Not on haven of refuge
DR.. Parker and His Texts
The late br. Joseph Parker, follow
ing custom of the generation il
which he bcgdu TO prCJCh used to Inc