Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-04-26
CHAPTER VII.

With his hands in his pockets he
trudged through the quiet streets and
ont into the country road, thinking
deeply. His headache was gone, and
his sore spots. though still alive. not
painful enough TO prevent a brisk
walk, the most conducive to thought
Mn some Compartments. and he re-
viewed the happenings OF the last
two days. So RAPIDLY had events
crowded one another that It seemed
weeks back when he had walked 10
school with Mabel Arthur -cnvfd of
all boys. And viewed in the light of
these events. she was more than ever
now like a creature Of some higher
species, or inhabitant of some dis
tant planet, who, without RESPONSE
bility, had entered his life. done him
harm, and left it. But she was still
the central figure of his thoughts.
taking precedence over the boys who
had i'll treated him. the teacher who
had mis- iudgod him, the scholars who
had snubbed him, and even Bes-
sic and his Aunt Mollic--his only
friends now. The first was only a
young IN" whose good will he had
lately won by timely rescue of her
kitten and the second was so assoc
ciated with and Overshadowed by the
disa greeable personality of his uncle
thai she had failed. with her passive
negative temperament, Of making
any deep or lasting impression on his
mind. AS for his uncle. he had ceased
almost TO think of him, and hoped
soon TO forget him.
He would ask Mr.. Bronson for
work. study in the evening, finish the
senior course, and go to New York,
where he would get a position in a
store, or Office. and study law, or
medicine, thus getting. a better edu-
cation than the other boys could get
in the high school. And when he was
! prosperous man, with good clothes
md silk hat, and "a gold watch, he
would come back to the village and
put up at the hotel. And the only
people In the whole town whom he
would recognize would be Aunt Mol
| lie and Bessie. He would kick George
| Arthur ont of his way II he came in
! front of him. He would take Aunt
| without his uncle's permits
sion-and Bessie, out riding, and
| pass Mabel Arthur on a crossing
where she would have TO wait until
| they passed by. And he wouldn't
speak to her or see her at all; bu,
| he'd give her chance later on to
speak TO him, II she wanted to
and apologize; and when she did, he
would just lift his silk hat politely
and
There was a smothered growl IN
the rear; then sharp teeth graZed hi
leg and closed on the slack of hi
trousers, while he was nearly thrown
by the impact OF bulldog who had
come down to the gate.
Hang It," he exclaimed, "even tn,
dogs are down on me-
He recognized the large frame
farmhouse standing back In the dark
ness as that of Mr. Bronson, and h,
had once enjoyed a passing acquaint
ance with the dog so he spoke II
him kindly and firmly. But word
count for little with bulldogs on duty
and he tried to kick. Tho dol
lodged. growing the while and gath
ering In more cloth. until Dick wa
forced to call for help. The doc
opened, and in the stream of ligh
far within people stood and peere'
into the darkness.
Call your dog away, please, Mr.
Bronson" cried Dick. Il can't shak
him off"
Two men ran down the path ant
into the road One WAS Mr.. Bron
son, aud the other a giant OF man
who lifted the dog In the air with
mighty kick, just Al the cloth begal
tearing. Half OF Dicks left trou0e
leg went with ths dog. who squeake,