Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-05-02

long enough to hear what had happen
ell and started out to find Happy-that's
my husband. He's bound to keep them
apart, but he hasn't found Mr.. Fear
yet or he'd be here"
Ariel had sunk backein her chair.
"Why should your husband hide?' she
asked in a low voice.
"waitin' fer his chance at Cory" the
woman answered huskily. 81 expect
he's afraid the cops are after him, too,
on account of the trouble, and he
doesn't want TO git locked up till he's
met Cory again. They amt after him,
but he may not know it. They haven't
heard Of the trouble, l reckon, or
they'd of run Cory in. Hes around
town today, drinkin' heavy, and I
guess he's looldn' fer Mr.. Fear about
as hard as Mr.. Louden is" She rose
to her feet, lifted her coarse hands and
dropped them despairingly. "Oh, I'm
scarcdw she said. "AIr. Fears ben
mighty good to me"
A slow and tired footstep was heard
upon the stairs, and Joe's dog ran into
the room droopngly, wagged his tail
with no energy and crept under the
desk. Mrs Fear wheeled toward the
door and stood. rigid her hands clinch-
ed tight, her whole body still except
her breast, which rose and fell with
her tumultuous breathing. She could
not wait till the laggard step reached
the landing.
"Mr. Loudon" she called suddenly.
Joes voice came from the stairway.
"It's all right, Claudinc. It's all fixed
up. Don't worry"
Mrs. Fear gave a thick cry of relief
and sank back In her chair rs Joe en-
tered the room. He came in sham
blngly, with his hand over his eyes
as if they were very tired and the
light hurt them. so that for moment
or two he did not perceive the second
visitor. Then he let his hand fall re-
veaing a face white and worn.
ITS all right. Claudine," he repeated.
"It's all right"
He was moving to lay his hat on the
desk when his eye caught first the
roses, then fell upon Ariel, and he STOP
ped stock still with one arm out
stretched. remaining for perhaps ten
seconds in that attitude, while she. her
lips parted, her eyes lustrous, returned
his gaze with look that was as in
scrutable as it was kind.
Yes" she said, as if in answer to a
question, Il have come here twice to-
day." She nodded slightly toward Mrs.
Fear. Il can wait. | am very glad
you bring good news
Joe turned dazcdly toward the other.
"Cla1dine," he said, you've been tell
ing Miss Tabor
II certnly have" Mrs. Fears ex-
preston had cleared, and her tone was
cheerful. II don't see no harm in
that. I'm sure she's good friend Of
yours, Mr.. Louden."
Joe glanced at Ariel with faint,
troubled smile and turned again to
Mrs. Fear. Eve had long talk with
Happy
I'm awful glad. Is he ready to lis
ten to reason?" she asked with litter.
Hes waiting for you
"Wheref' She rose quickly.
"Stop," said Joe sharply. You must
be very careful with him
Don't you s'pose I'm gon' to be?''
she Interrupted, with a catch in her
voice. Don't you s'pose I've had
trouble enough?"
NO." said Joe deliberately and i'm
personally, Il don't. Unless You keep
remembering to be careful all the
time you'll follow the first impulse
you have, as you did yesterday, and
your excuse will be that you never
thought any harm would come Of It
He's in a queer mood but he will for
give you if you ask him
well. amt that what / want tc
dog she exclaimed.
II know, l know" he said, dropping
into the desk chair and passing his
hand over his eyes with a gesture OF
infinite WEAKNESS. But you must be
very careful. 1 hunted for him mos,
of the night and all day. He was try
ing to keep out Of my way because ht
didn't want me to find him until he
had met this fellow Nashville. Happy
| is hard man to come at when he
| doesn't care to be found, and lie KEEP
shifting from place to place until
ran him down. Then l got him in {
corner and told him that you hadn't
meant any harm--whch is always
true Of you, poor woman--and l didn',
leave him till he had promised me tC
forgive you if you would come ant
ask him. And you must keep him ou
of Cory's way until can arrange t.
have him-Cory, / mean-sent out o.
town. VIII you?"
why, cert'nly,' she answered
smiling. "That Nashville's the vurry
last person | ever want to see again
the fresh thing" Mrs. Fears burden
had fallen; her relief was perfect, an(
she beamed vapidly. But Joe marked
her renewed irresponsibilty with ar
anxious eye.
You mustn't make any mistakes,
he said. rising stflly with fatigue
Not me. don't take no NOR,
chances" she responded, tttering hap
PLY; mot after yesterday. My, bu
it's load Off my shoulders. do hat,
it to have gentlemen quarrellng owe
me, especially Mr.. Fear. never dit
like to start anything. ! like to Sc,
people laugh and be friendly, and In
,niobtu Glad ITO oil hloyyy, o,,ar