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

his crutch ends digging at the packed
dirt Of the floor.
The storekeeper, putting aside his
determination, went on as though he
had not noticed the others attitude,
"The storm was hard on the stock
last night They must n drifted thir.
ty miles with it. Our loss Is big, like.
~. The puuchcrs II bunch everything
on four hoofs and drive 'cm into the
coulee. Cows II be out of the wind
there and live on browse till the
ground clears"
But ms he was talking the section boss
made himself ready for the cold Be
fore he had finished the elder man had
disappeared.
Lounsbury was thoroughly provoked
ut the treatment shown him-he was
hurt at the plain lack of faith Again
he considered what course to pursue.
Granted the family knew all he could
tell them. what could be gained by
forcing the fact of his knowledge up
on them? Nothing - unless 1t were
more suspicion against himself. And
If they were in ignorance-well 1t was
better than premature care. AS be-
fore, he decided to remain silent and
depend upon the pilot
He glanced at Marylyn. on her IA
TIERS departure she had moved out of
the shadow Now she was sitting bolt
upright, with fingers touching the
bench at either side. Her lips were
half parted, She was watching Louns
bury wonderlngly.
The moment their eyes met her own
fell. She reached to the mantel for a
beaded belt and began work upon II
precipitatcly.
what is the prairie princess doing"
he asked
Making something" She held the
belt by one hand TO let it slip through
the other.
He reached for it. my, It's pretty!
Wish you'd make me watch fob like
that
She flushed and dimpIed. I'D like
to-" she said.
I'll wear it as an amulet He gave
utl bdth iut OClL anu llltll ihliNie
touched.
She started nervously.
"Why, Miss Marylyn" he said gen.
tly. You afraid Of me-"
NO" 1t was whispered.
"Well, you mustn't be" His tone
was one that might have been used to
a child. "Since | rode here month
ago I've thought of you folks a lot.
I'd like to do real good turn for you.
Perhaps it's because you girls seem
20 lonely
Were not lonely" she declared,
THE forts near, and we can hear the
band. And pa says there'n be three
Or four steamers 90 by next summer
The storekecpcr mentally kicked
himself. THE idea of suggesting a
thing like that" he growled inwardy
"whcu she hadn't even thought of it,
John Lounsbury, you've got about as
much sense as fool mud hen"
and" went on Marylyn, there
the ladies at Fort Brannon. If pa
She hesitated.
Lounsbury shook his head, smiling
"Wel, | wouldn't count on them If
were you" he advised. rememb erine
certain experiences Of Bismarck bellies
"Thosc women over there are as clan
nish as crows"
Yes plaintively. She went at he
beads again.
''As | was saying" he began once
more, I've thought of you folks a lot
Seemed as if | just had to come dowr
today. And l brought you something
See here" He delved into the sidt
pockets Of his coat and pulled out tw,
books.
"O-oh," breathed Marylyn. Books
"All | had, but maybe you'll lik'
'em. They're love stories"
The shadow beyond the freligh
claimed her again.
From the lean-to came the sound o
Lancaster'S voice 1t was shrill Wit
anger a great sadness came owe
the storckccper. 81 wish | could com
down often and look after things" h
said. You need another man around.
There was Il short silence. Their
| 'l)3llaS likes tho work outside, Sn
answered very low, land driving Be
and Betty up and down.
He nodded. but you?'
IL like to stay in and sew"
"'Stay in and sew" he muse(
"That takes me back to the states