Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-09


mot you." he srowled, waving D'ri
back. mot ready fer you yet"
He laid hold Of my elbow and
snapped q shackle on my wrist. Then
they led me out, closing the door with
q bang that echoed in the far reaches
Of the dark alley, and tied thick cloth
over my eyes.
Good luck!" D'ri cried out as they
took me away.
For both" answered as cheerfully
as I could.
They led me through winding pas
sages and iron doors, with that horri-
ble clank Of the prison latch, and UP
flights of stone til felt as lost as one
might who falls whirling In the air
from a great height. We soon came
out upon walk Of gravel. where I
could feel the sweet air blowing into
my face. A few minutes more and we
halted. where the guard, who had hold
Of my elbow, rang bell. AZ the door
swung open they led me in upon a
soft carpet. Through the cloth I could
see a light
Bring him in. bring him in!"
voice commanded impatiently--a deep,
heavy voice the sound Of which have
not yet forgotten. The guard was
afraid Of 1t. His hand trembled as he
led me on.
Take of the blindfold," said that
voice again.
As It fell away, I found myself in n
large and beautiful room. My eyes
were dazzled by the light Of many
candles, and for a little I had to close
them. l stood before two men. One
sat facing me at black table of carved
oak-a man Of middle age, in the uni
form Of British general. Stout and
handsome. with brown eyes, dark hair
and mustache now half white, and
nose aquiline by the least turn, he i'm
pressed me as nave few men that
ever crossed my path. A young man
sat lounging easily in a big chair be-
side him, his legs crossed, his delicate
fingers teasing a thin mustache. l no
ticed that his hands were slim and
hairy. He glanced up at me as soon
as l could bear the light. Then he
sat looking idly at the carpet.
The silence Of the room was broken
only by the scratch of quill in the
hand Of the general. glanced about
me. On the wall was large painting
that held my eye saw presently
it was that of the officer had fought
in the woods. the one who fell before
me. turned my head; the young man
was looking up at me. A fine set
Of teeth showed between them.
do you know him." he asked cool
ly.
81 have not the honor" was my re-
ply.
What is your name?" the general
demanded in the deep tone I had
heard before.
Pardon me-" said the young man,
quietly. as II he were now weary OF
the matter, Il do not think it neces-
sary."
There was bit of silence. The
general looked thoughtfully at the
young man.
"If your lordship will let me-" he
went on.
"My dear Sir" the other interrupted.
in the same weary and lethargic man
ner, II can get more reliable knowledge
from other sources. Let the fellow go
back"
THAT will do" said the general to
the gaurd, who then covered my eyes
and led me back to prison.
TvtpU <horo In bo lorl- told n'r1
all knew of my mysterious journey
My account Of the young man reused
him to the soul.
"Wha' kind Nv a nose he'd he?" he
inquired. ~
Roman" said.
"Bent in al the pint leetle?"
eyes"
"And black hair shingled short?"
eyes"
"An tall. an a kind NV a nasty,
snookin,' mis'able-loOkin' cuss?"
"Just about the look of hint said.
Judas Priest. He g one O. them
sneks ct tux me when you was fghtin'
t. other Teller over there n the woods. "
"Looks rather bad for u.s." re-
marked.
docs hev ruther squeaky lux tew
| It," said he. "All We got t dew is t.
keep brcathin' jest as nat'ral n easy
es We can be till we fergit how. May
fool 'em fust they know"
l had a high notion, those days, OF
the duty Of soldier. My father had
always told me there was no greater
glory for anybody than that of brave
death. Somehow tire feeling got to bt
part Of me. While had little fear oil
death. dreaded to lie shot like Q
ielon. But should be dying for m!
country, and that feeling seemed Il
light the shadows. When I fell asleep
after much worry, it was to dream o
my three countrymen who had fallel
to their faces there by the corn.
awOke to find the guard in our cell
and D'ri and he whispering together
He had come with our breakfast
"All want" Dri was saying. SIS
piece Of iron. with a sharp end, hal
es long es yer arm"
lie made no answer. that big, sullen
bulldog man who brought our food Il
US. When he had gone. Dirt lay owe
and began laughing under his breath
"His thinker a goin' LUX . sawmill.
he whispered. would MT wonder e
It KEEP i'm awake nights He was ask
in bout tibet air tew thousand dol
lara ~ thav III lot ,la alOnc for thre