Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-09-26

fully Croomed Frenchman with riding
brooches and monocle was in panto-
mime with q skin clad Eskimo. 10
her left was the sparkling sea, alive
with ships of every class. To her right
lowered timberless mountains. unpeo-
pied. UNEMPLOYED. forbddlng and desc
late, their hollows inlsid with snow.
On one hand were the life and the
world she knew, on the other silence,
mystery, possible adventure.
The roadway where she stood was
crush of sundry vehicles from bicycles
to dog hauled water carts, and on all
sides men We're laboring busily, the
echo OF hammers ming!ing with the
cries of Transfers and the tinkle of
music within the saloons.
"And this is midnight exclaimed
Helen breathlessly. do they ever
resti'
There isn't time. This IL gold
stampede. You haven't caught the
spirit of It yet
They climbed the stairs in a huge
iron sheeted building to the office Of
Durham & Strive, and in answer TO
their knock rcd faced. white haired,
touscd man in shirt sleeves and stock
Ing feet opened the door.
"What dye wan't" he bawled, his
legs wavcrlng uncertainty. His eyes
were heavy and bloodshot. his lips
loose, and his whole person eXhaled al
cohoic fumes like gust from n still
house. Hanging to the knob he strove
vainly 70 solve the mystery of his sus-
penders. hiccoughlng Internationally.
"Humph. Been drunk ever since |
left?" questioned Glenister.
Somebody mus have tol you." the
LAWYER replied. There was neither Gu
rlosity, recognition nor resentment in
his voice. In fact his head dropped
so that he paid no attention to the
girl. who had shrunk back Mt sight Of
him. lie was young man. with
marks of brillancy showing through
the dissipation betrayed by his silvery
hair and coarsened features.
ooh I don't know what to do" la
mcnted the girl.
"Anybody else here besides you?''
| asked her escort Of the lawyer.
no, I'm runnin' the law business
, unassisted. Don't need any help
Dunham's in Wash'n'ton u. c., the
) Ian Of the home the free of the brave
5 What can do for you:"
= He made to cross the threshold hos
: ptab!y hut tripped, plunged forward
$ and VIC lid have rolled down the stairs
n had not Glcnister gathered him up and
$ borne him back into the Office, where
:. he tossed him upon a bed in a real
room.
t Now what Miss Chester?' asked
$ the young man. returning.
# isn't that drcadful?" she shuddered
i "Oh. and ] must see him tonight
', Fhe stamped impatiently. II must Sc
:. him alone
q NO, you mustn't" said Glenistel
o with equal decision. I'm the frs
r place. he wouldn't know what 20
, were talking about, and. in the secoD
place, l know Strive. He's too drum
d to talk business and too sober to-
~ well, to sec you alone
n But l must see him." she insisted
N ITS what brought me here. 70
a don't understand"
II He's in no condition to act on an
important matter. You come aroun
VI tomorrow when he's sober"
at means SO much" breathed til
i. girl. The beast
tn Glenister noted that she had NJ
wrung her hands nor even limited
tears. though plainly her disappoin
10 ment and anxiety We're consuming he
Well. suppose I'll have to wal
:, but don't know where to go-son
r.. hotel. l suppose"
or There aren't any. They're huldir
M two, but tonight you couldn't hire
room In Nome for money. | was abo'
n to say love or money Have you l
10 other friends here-no women? The
70 you must let me find a place for 20
~ I have a friend whose wife will tai
70 you in
jv She rehelled at This. Was she new
an to have done with this mans favor
,r She thought of returning to the sh'
NO hut dismissed that. She undertook
decline his aid, but he was halfw;
or down the stairs and paid no attenti'
to her beglnning-so she followed hi
Us 1t was then that Helen Chester w
Iva messed her first tragedy of the 'front.'
ho and through it came to know hett
H.. the man whom she diSliked and vi
,,o whom she had been thrown so ihtel'
al ". Already she had thrilled at I
,ar spell of this country, but she had r
49, learned that strength and license car
MO blood and violence as corollaries.
ta. Emerging from the doorway at
- foot of the stairs, they drifted SLOW
~ along the walk. watching the CROW
-, Besides the universal tension, the
,.a were laughter and hope and eNhlla
ton in the faces. The enthusiasm
Nv this boyish multitude warmed Of
Nv, The girl wished to get into this spiri
to lie one of them. Then suddel
from the babhle at their elbows ca
a discordant note, not long nor lo'
only few words. penetrating II
harsh with the metallic quality lent
passion.
Helen glanced over her shoulder
w" find that the smiles of the throng w
ing 49,, ,h,+ its oros wora hent
W. some scene in the street with an en-;
49, interest she had never seen mirror
~ before. simultaneously Glenister spo
~" Come away from here
With the Quickened eye of eXperiel
leu he foresaw trouble and tried to oil
her on. but she shook off his grasp