Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-12-26

me- was Tue answer.
A. sudden hope came to her. "Nav.
he made n mistake" she said. "Tell
me, who are you"
David Bond-an evangelist nv tho
grace of God"
She lifted the lantern so that he
could see the others. "My fathor md
my sister" she said. Then she rut
the light on the table, retired to a cor.
ncr and suddenly sank down.
Squaw Charley, having brought in
and emptied the sack and blanket fed
the blaze and crouched at one side of
the fireplace. Evan and Margin were
across from him, intcntly examining
the features and dress OF the traveller.
1t was Dallas who, eased yet shaken.
remembered to be hospitable.
Come Charley" she said, rising.
"we'll put the horse up. No. no." as
their guest would have accompanied
her. I'VE won't need help The mules
are used to Charley now and Simon
pretty ugly to strangers She started
out. "Marylyn' she said from the
door, you take Mr.. Bonds coat"
Then, to the evangelist, I'm glad it's
you and Observation-Disclosures" 4 rare
smile crossed her face.
The aged man, Invested of his lons
ulster, advanced and with fatherly
tenderness lightly touched her braids
"I was stranger and We took me
in" he quoted solemny.
by the picture. Lancaster was lean.
ing forward from his seat in unaccus-
toned silence. Marylyn sat beside
him, the nubia thrown across her arm
Nearer was the Indian his copper col
ored' face marycously softencd. and
before them all stood the evangelist
pricstly, patrarchal
When Dallas and Squaw Charley
were gone the section boss and his
younger daughter We're for space
tongue tied through n lack of some
thing to say. soon. however, David
Bond broke the quiet to assure Ian
caster OF his gratitude And there
after the two men talked freely.
You need not fear any trouble with
my horse" the evangelist said as Dial
las was heard bidding Simon keep to
his side of the stall. "Shadrach Is a
gentle beast"
At the name the section boss cooked
his head like IN inqulrng bird. Mn
Shadrach," he logan in important re-
Election. "Y call v boss Shadrach
All seem t. hey heerd tibet name be-
fore"
Marylyn raised to her father a quick,
warning finger. It's in the Bible.
pa she Whispered
"Heh?"
ITS in the Billie"
Don " think All known" Evan
poked the fire rhcerfully. He was
fairly started in conversation. Tibet
Shadrach was a prophet, eff All recall
it ies' right" he said tentatively.
The evangelist shot him sorrowful
glance,
mo. pa" whispered Marylyn again.
He was put in furnace. Remember
the furnace, pa"
with tn lions" cried the section
boss. Certainly All do"
ooh. pa. that isu the story"
Evan stroked his mustache. "Ah'm
kinda often tn trail, honey, amt Ahf"
he said aside. Then, to cover his mis-
take and forestall any embarrassing
explanation, he poled the fire again
and resolutely began "Pahson. how
d v come t name you boss Shad-
rach?"
He had been chris;ened Spooks,"
began the evangelist, rs If repeating
an oft told tale, because his last own
err mistook him one might for ghost
could not bear to call the faithful
animal by that name and day after
day thought over all the names | had
ever heard, striving to lind one suita
bic. That summer something happen
ed that decided for me. Spooks and
awoke to end ourselves surrounded
by n prairie FIRE. And /. having hitch
ed up and then got down into the bot
tom Of the wagon, my good horse was
forced to meet the wall Of flame alone
He came out unscorched. knew at
once what his name should be. Hence
forth | called him Shadrach."
The light OF returning knowledge-of
blessed total recall--ilumined the face
of the listening section boss. He gave
the fire glad poke that sent the burn
ing chips 70 every side, thrust out his
shest proudly and pinned the other
with a triumphant eye WAL, how
bout Mehach and Abednego?" he de-
manded.
David Bond studied a moment, knit
ting his brows until their heavy arch
ings met In single hoary line Il
take their place he said at last, with
dignity,
Following supper. which Dallas pre-
pared, all gathered before the CHEEKY
blaze. There the evangelist anxious
over the welfare of the people among
whom he had preached and taught
promptly began to question Squaw
Charley.
you have not told ne of your cap.
ture," he said. cor of the fight that
came before It. Were you taken in
the north-in the country of the White
Mother-or in Dakota"
The Indian nodded
"DakotaT"
Swiftly the pariah's whole aspect al
tered. A moment before satisfied as
to food, happy and comfortable. he
had squatted down in his blanket.
But now, his shoulders bent, his chin
sank to his breast, his eyes grew dull