Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-11-28

had begun to Clamor too wildly, but
strive, more arrogant than ever be-
fore, more tcrrifyingly sure of him
self, was loudly garrulous. AS they
drew nearer and nearer, the dread
that possessed the girl became of para
lying intensity. IF she should fall
but she vowed she would not, could
not, fail.
They rounded bend and saw the
Sign of the Sled Graded below them
where the trail dipped to a stream
which tumblcd from the comb above
into the river twisting like Il silver
thread through the distant valley. 4
peeled flagpolc topped by spruce
bough stood in front of tho tavern,
while over the door hung sled sus-
pended from n beam. The house Itself
was II quaint structure, rambling ard
amorphous, from whose sod roof
sprnng blooming flowers and whose
high banked walls were pierced here
and there with sleepy windows 1t
had been built by a homesick foreigner
OF unknown nationality whom the ar
my of 'mushers" who paid for his
clean and orderly hospitality had dub
bed duly and as matter of course Il
"Swedc." When travel had changed TO
the river trail leaving the house lone
come and high as though left by re-
ceding wave Strive had taken 1t over
on debt and now ran 1t for the con
venlence Of Il slender traffic, mainIy
stampeders, who chose the higher
route toward the interior. His hircIing
spent the idle hours IN prospecting Il
hungry quartz lead and in doing as
scssment work on nearby claims.
Shortz took The horses ard answered
his employers questions CURLY, flash
ing curious look at Helen. Under
other conditions the girl would have
been delighted with the place, for this
was the quaintest spot she had found
In the north country The main room
held bar and gold sca'..", rude table
and n huge iron Heater, while It's
walls and ceiling We're sheeted with
white cloth so cunnlucy stitched and
tackled TINT 1t seemed cavern hol-
/ lowed from chalk. II was filed with
trophies of the hills stuffed birds and
animals, skins and antlers from which
depended in careless confusion dog
harness, snowshoeS, guns and articles
of clothing A door 10 The left led into
the bunk room, where travellers had
been wont to sleep In tiers three deep.
To the rear was Il kitchen and cache,
to the right compartment which
Strive called the art gallery. Here
free reign had been allowed the origt-
nal owners artistic lancies, and he
had covered the place with pictures
/ clipped from gazette II questionable
repute till it was newildering ar
rangement of pink ladies in tights, pu-
gilists in scanty trunE7, prize bulldogs
and other less moral haracters of the
sporting world.
This is probably The worst compa-
ny you were ever in strive obscrv ed
to Helen. with a forced attempt at
! lightness
Are there no gue--S here?" she ask.
I ed him, her anxiety very near the sur
face.
Travel is light ~ this time of the
year They'll come % later perhaps"
a fire was burniu- in this pink room
| Where the landlord had bcgun SpfeaU-
ing the table for two. and its warmth
was grateful 10 'hp girl. Her compan-
ion, thoroughly Mt his case, stretched
hihlSeIi OH Il '.F coNeFe" COUCH ana
smoked
Let me see the papers now, Mr..
strive, she began hut he put her on
mo, not no" BUSINESS must wait
on our dinner DON'T spoil our little
party, for the'e> time ehongh ana to
spare
She arose and Went tn the window
unable to sit st.l. LooEH- down the
narrow gulch, She saw TINT the noun
tains beyond wrrr inliS'inct. for II
was growing aarE rapidly. Dense
clouds had ro' Up from the east
A raindrop struck the glass before her
eyes, then another and another and
the hills grew misty hehind the com
ing shower. A traveller with Il pack
on his back hurried around the corner
of the building and past her to the
door. AT his mock S.ruV" who had
been watching llelen inron%h halt smut
eyes, arose anu went INTO the othef
room
THANK heaven. some one has come"
she thought. The voices were dead
cned TO hum by the sod walls til
that OF the stranger raised itself IL