Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-24
IN RETREAT
By TROY ALLISON
Copyright. 1904, by Troy Allison
By TROY ALLISON

AhN AO6 DNSNtC htl SipN iSus hhu NV
woman. looking up from her novel,
saw the man coming down the path,
FISHING tackle in hand.
The path was overgrown with weeds,
and there were few indications that
1t was used except by the cattle com
1ng TO the creek for water.
The dog arose, alertly pugnacious,
and the fisherman suddenly became
conscious Of the fact that his favorite
spot was pre-empted.
II fear l must crave your protec-
tion." He took OFF his tweed cap with
humorous gravity and smiled. first at
nhs woman, then with "A conciliatory
mir into the face OF the bristling dog.
She took the dog by the collar and
tlrew him toward her.
IL can ut least offer you a reprieve
drom sudden death" She held the ami
nal with II firm. white hand. and Fer
roll loosened his grip on the fishing
gods he had intended using as Il club
should the necessity arise.
Perhaps he is a stickler for Ell
quette," he suggested, land might re-
gard my civilities with lcss-er-ani-
mostly If l offered him my card"
81 must admit he shows more ami
ability toward people to whom he has
been introduced"
He took a cigar case from his pocket
Gnnd offered it to her. his pane printed
Ebn gilt letters on the side.
KINDLY Introduce me to him prop
Eerly," he implorcd. II wouldn't fur
fher offend his sense of propriety for
worlds"
She patted the dog on the head and.
pointing toward the newcomer. made
the introdut LON with exaggerated POI
litencss.
Billie. most able %bodyguard Of an
unprotected spinster. allow me TO
tmake you acquainted with n DR..
James Ferroll."
Quite charmed. old fellow. I assure
you" Ferroll bowed extravagantly.
"'You'u excuse my not sinking hands?
Nou will? That's exceedingly kind. for
] would he slightly nervous about try
ing it on first sight"
'IIe will behave properly now" She
paused. evidently expecting Ferroll to
continue upstream.
"lf you wouldn't mind" he spoke
Hesitatingly, Il will ask permission to
fish here. In fact, have been dream
1ng about this very spot since my va
cation last summer. by Jove, caught
Some beauties here
In less thar an TOUR she had dropped
her novel on the grass by the side OF
49, -@~, -I,1,Ily 1,nr;N b;1i;a nrl
was taking her first lesson in the art
of bass fishing.
You did that just right Ferroll
Mhooped when she triumphantly land
ed her first fish. You let him take it
under like an experienced hand. I'm
proud of you" And he beamed on his
pupil with an approval that caused her
to feel more enthusiasm han a whole
bushel Of german favors had eve in
luced.
When she finally took up her novel
md hat preparatory to leaving he look
|ted at her with frank friendliness.
I'm going to be here Il month. hope
! will have the pleasure of seeing you
ngain."
billie and I spend hours in this spot
Every day. If you do much fishing
SOU will probably meet UP with us oc-
Casionaily.'
She smiled Goodby, and the big dog
followed her into the woods.
After a half mile walk she reached
q log hut that was built in so small a
clearing that the break it made in the
foliage was scarcely noticeable.
I'VE are suffering from al outrageous
hunger, Sally" she said to the buXom
negro woman that met her at the cab
in door. IF you will cook some of
that funny corn bread you make so
Beautifully and fry this fish ! have
brought ] will experience the novelty
of eating 4 dinner ! worked for"
When Miss Winchester had first an
nounced that she was tired of her usual
Summers at Newport and had told her
married brother that he might use her
cottage for the season her people had
wondered why she should desire any
khing different from the lovely cottage
where she had spent her for
the last ten years.
When she had told them she was GO
dng to spend three months in n little
Virginia country place that they could
not find on the map they shrugged
their shoulders and congratulated them
selves that lula was Ii only one in
the family who had ever shown symp-
toms OF ecCentricity.
With the help of the farmer who
owned the cabin she had fitted 1t I'D
for rough camping life. The negress,
Sally, had been recommended as a
good cook and an able protector from
ordinary calamlties. The farmer had
added an old fashioned dinner horn
10 the establishment, and Miss Win.
chester felt content that if the neces
sity arose Sally aud Billie could hold
the camp until the men from the near
est farmhouse could answer the sum
mons Of the horn,
Next day Ferroll had been in lucf
and half filed his basket when she
coached the creek.
Good morning, Billie he called
out. II hope we are on friendly terms
today"
The dog shifted at the basket OF
Ash, then lay down on the coat Fer
roll had discarded.
"That's right cd fellow, make your