Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-11-14

down the dark streets toward the house
of Cherry Malotte. but found no light
nor answer to her knock. She was dis
tracted now and knew not where TO
seek next among the thousand spots
which might hide the man she wanted.
What chance had she against the posse
sweeping the town from end to end7
There was only one; he might be ut
the Northern thcntcr. Even so. she
could not reach him, for she dared not
go there herself. She thought Of Fred.
her Jap boy, but there was no time.
Wasted moments meant failure.
Roy had once told her that be never
gave up what he undertook. Very
! well, she would show that even n girl
may possess determination This was
no time for modesty or shrinking inde-
cisiOn, SO she pulled the veil moro
closely about hS face ana took her
good name into her hands She made
rapidly toward the lighted streets
which cast u skyward glare and from
which through the GREATNESS calm
arose tho sound of carousal swiftly
she threaded the narrow alloys IN
search Of the theater'S rear entrance.
for she dared not approach from the
front. In th., way she came into a
part OF the camp which lad lain hid
den from her until now and Of the ex-
lstence OF which she had never
dreamed.
The vices OF a city. however horrible,
are at least draped scautly by the
mantle OF convention. but in great
mining camp they stand naked and
without conceolment. Here there were
rows upon rows Of crlblike houses clus-
tered over tortuous, i'll lighted lanes,
like blow flies warming to an uuclcan
feast From within came the noise Of
ribaldry and dchauoh. Shriil laughter
mingled with coarse maudln songs,
till the cNngnE night rocked with
abominable rovgry. The girl saw
painted creatures Of every nationality
leaning from windows or heckonins
from doorWaYS' WhI' drunken mon
collidod with her, barred her course.
challenged her and again and again
she was forced to slip from their en-
braces. At last the high bulk Of the
thcatcr building doomed a short dis
lance ahead. Painting and frightened,
she tried the door with weak hands to
find it locked. From behind it rose the
barc Of brass and the sound OF sing
ing She accosted man who approach
ed her through the narrow alley, but lie
had crused from the Charted course IN
search Of adventure and was not mind.
ed TO 20 in quest of doormcn; rather,
I. ..1,r fc yf a nj, =, fff., 1fIr-
lous measures Of which he invited her
70 dance with him, 50 she slipped away
till he had teetercd past. He was some
longshoreman in that particular epoch
OF his inebr.ety where life had no bur
den save the dissipation OF wages.
Returning She pounded on the door,
possessed OF the sense mat the man
she sought was mere til at last It was
flung open framing the siIhouette oil
shlrt-sieeVed' th!cA-set Eouln' VINO
shouted:
what n ell do you want to butt IN
for while the shows on TO round
front" She caught glimpse OF dis
ordered scenery, and before be could
slam the door in her face thrust sill
YER dollar into his hand, at the same
time wedgng herself into the opening
He pocketcd the coin and the door
clicked to behind her.
"Well, speak up. The acts ClOSin'.'
Evidently he was the directing genius
of the performance, for nj that moment
the chorus broke into full cry, and he
said, hurriedly:
Wait minute. There goes tl'
en-, L. Il i.,.I !,