Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-05-30

and knew that a trained hand welded
the paddle. Ny boyhood summers In
the Maine woods we're not, find,
wholly wasted.
The owner Of the canoe had evident
ly stolen close to the Glenarm dock,
but had made off when alarmed by the
noise Of our approach through the
wood.
Have you boat near here, Bates?"
I asked.
THE boat house is locked and I
haven't the key with me, sir" he re.
piled, without excitement.
o"Of course you haven't IT," re.
jsined, full Of anger at his tone Of ire
proachable respect, and at my own
helpfulness. | had not even seen the
place by daylight. and the woodland
behind me and the lake at my feet
were things Of shadow and mystery
In my rage I stamped my foot.
Lead the way back" ! roared.
! had turned toward the woodland
when suddenly there stole across the
water a voice,-a woman's voice, deep.
musical and deliberate.
Really, I shouldn't be so angry If I
were you" It SAID, with a lingering
note on the word angry.
who are you? What are you doing
there?" I bawled.
Just enjoying a little tranquil
thought" was the drawing, hooking
reply.
Far out upon the water heard the
dip and glide of the canoe, and saw
family its outline for a moment; then
It was gone. The lake. the surround
ing wood. were an unknown world
the canoe, a boat of dreams. Then
again came the voice:
Good night, merry gentlemen"
TT was a lady, sir" remarked Bates,
after we had waited silently for full
minute.
"IIow clever you are!" | sneered.
II suppose ladies' prowl about here at
night shooting ducks or into peoples
houses"
1t would seem quite likely, sir"
/ should have liked to cast him into
the lake. but he was already moving
away. the lantern swinging at his side.
l followed him, back through the wood
land to the house
My spirits quickly responded to the
cheering influence Of the great library.
| stirred the fire on the hearth into
life and sat down before It, tired from
my tramp. was mystified and per-
plexed by the incident that had al
ready marked my coming 1t was pos
sible, to be sure that the bullet which
narrowly missed my head in the little
dining room had been a wild shot that
carried no evil intent. | dismissed at
once the idea that ii might have been
fred from the lake; it had crashed
through the glass with too much force
to have come SO far; and, moreover |
could hardly imagine even rife ball
finding an unimpeded right Of way
through so dense strip of wood. l
found it difficult to get rid Of the idea
that some one had taken a pot shot
at me.
The womans mocking voice from
the lake added to my perplexity. 1t
was not, | reflected such a voice as
one might expect to hear from a coun-
try girl; nor could imagine any
errand that would justify woman S
presence abroad on an October night
whose cool air inspired first conf
dences with fire and lamp. There was
something haunting in that last cry
across the water it kept repeating IT.
co1f in uya {,
voice Of quality, of breeding and
charm.
Good night, merry gentlemen.'
In Indiana, | reflected, rustics, young
or old, men or women, were probably
not greatly given to salutations of just
this temper.
Bates now appeared.
Beg pardon, sir; but your room
ready whenever you wish to retire"
| looked about in search of clock.
There are no timepieces in the
house, Mr. Glenarm. Your grandfather
was quite opposed to them He had
a theory, sir, that they were conducive
as he said. to idleness. He considered
that a man should work by his con
science. sir, and not by the clock,-thG
one being more eX&cting than the
other"
I smiled as drew out my WATCH
as much at Bates solemn tone and
grim. lean visaee as AT his quotation
from my grandsire. But the fellow
puzzled and annoyed me. His unob
trusive black clothes, his smoothly
brushed hair, his shaver face, awak
ened an antagonism in me.
Bates If you didn't fire that shot
through the window, who did--will you
answer me that?"
Yes, sir; if didn't do it, it's quite
large question who did I'll grant
/ you that sir"
l stared at him. He met my gaze
without finching; nor was there any
thing insolent in his tone or attitude
He continued;
81 didn't do it, sir, I was in the
pantry when | heard the crash in the
refectory window The bullet came
from out of doors, as I should Judge
sir"
The facts and conclusions were un
doubleday with Bates, and | felt thai
I had not acquitted myself creditably
in my effort to fix the crime on him
My abuse of HIM had been tactless, tc
say the least, and now tried another
line Of attack.