Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-01-02

( hhAA' 'S's ~ INV
arriving that the section boss had two
daughters. The news did not alter his
determination one whit. Had any one
suggested such a thing he would have
been moved to laughter. But now he
noted the prettincss of the younger
girl, and n certain conccited desire tc
appear chlyalrous, which had earned
him the title of LADY killer" among
his associates. made him ~involuntarily
spruce. He smiled ingratiatingly and
prepared 20 launch into fowery speech
whcn-he met Dallas rave, steady
eyes and suddenly found himself at
loss for words.
How d do, miss?" he said at last.
How a. y dor she returned. In
spite of herself her voice trembled.
That did not escape Matthews. lie
shamed his ~momentary cmbarrass
mcnt and resolutely grappled the mat
ter that had brought him. Il want t
see your old man." he said. 1t was a
demand.
pad can't see you today she an.
swcred with ready caution. She
thought 1t best to keep from him, who
ever he was, the knowledge OF her ia.
Tiers absence.
"IIuh!' calculated Matthews in an
ugly tone. He came "A few PAGES near.
er. Il got t. see him, JUS tn same
But you can't"
"Ain't he t. homer
Marylyn pressed close to her sister
"Tell him yes" she begged n~ervously,
Dallas hesitated. Then she answer
ed: Hes not home. Will you please
come ~again-some other timer"
The gambler chuckled. "My dear
young lady" he said, his tone the ex.
IRENE Of insolence, 81 can't come nc
other time. TIL business I got t. do
has got t. be done t'day. l might as
well tell you that my names Matthews
Nick Matthews. This claim you're
What's more, I near t. have it t'day.'
"Ah." Dallas was thinking fast. AT
her shoulder, aware all at once that
they were in danger, was Marylyn,
clinging in pitiful terror.
Yes" added Matthews, as If that
clinched the matter.
Dallas looked at him without speak
ing.
Il JUS come from Dodge City, he
went on. 'My intention is t. live on
my land all winter. I'm very sorry
this ironically your old man took
tn trouble to build on it. He ought t.
inquired about tn claim before he
done that. Eut longs it's all one with
my plans fer improvin' l don't sees ]
ought t kick" He chuckled again and
spat.
Il know and so does dad" said Dial.
las. that a man filed upon this quarter
section in July. We didn't find 1t out,
though, till long after we built this
house. We know his six months Is al
most up too. But If you're him, and
even if you've got back only a few
hours before it's up, I'm willing, and
l think dad II be, for you to have the
claim. But you must pay for wha,
we've done on IT,"
II never asst y L do anything on it.
That's so. But the law says
Jaw, tn law be id! l don't
pay a cent"
"Then l know dad won't leave
"Oh, you dog
yes" very quietly.
"Well, let me tell ", my dear, that
you're dead wrong. You're goin' t. gil
your buds an grub t'gcther right now
In half a hour you leave this cabin"
At this Marylyn began to sob.
come, get n move on ordered
Matthews threatcningly. He knew that
If he wished to regain TIE land there
would be no time better than the
present. He began to walk up and
down, ninging his arms about to start
the circulation.
Dallas turned to comfort Marylyn,
putting an arm about her protectingly.
Hush She said. Keep quiet, hon
ey.'
"Oh, let's go. let's go.' walled the
younger girl.
Matthews came forward again and
took out his watch, a large open faced
timepiece hung to a braided buckskin
chain, Now, look a-here," he said
pereInptorily, Il don't want no more
funny business. This claims mine.
Your. old man amt got a solitary right
to it. SO you got t go. I'll give you
JUS ten minutes" With this he re-
sumed his pacing, comforting his beat
with occasional drafts from a flask.
Dallas strove hard to collect herself.
Il can't do anything till dad comes"
she called to him finally. You want
us to leave. Why, we haven't got any
place to go, and it's cold
Guess l know that" interrupted
Matthews. I'm almost fritz"
And you've got no right to ask us
to go till you've paid for this house
and the well-and-and my blowing"
Il pay fer nothin' l don't see an fer
no hole in tn ground" he said. And
as far s q place to go is concerned
this with a leer-"there's Shanty Town.
Why, tn boys d be tickled t. death t
see y. Then there's allus room at the
fort when there's good lookin' gals In
tn family
Dallas understood the insult. Her
gray eyes famed in her grayer face.
She slammed the window.
Matthews came near, so that his face
all but touched the glass. "Oh, that
don't do no good, my dear" he said,
raising his voice. "When l get ready
III come In"
Marylyn had stilled her weeping to
listen to him. Now, pallid with fear,