Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-12-31

"11l come back here and git her, Of course Tom
assured him with aacry. Me and Nancy don't
banker TO run nuthin without her, the rest OF our
!. lives"
Big Dan glanced about his shanty somewhat de-
liberaely 1T don't look If there's much she could
bust while you're gone he observed reectiye.y, and
amt hesitatn none on that point, Iom for I'm awful
fond of the little gal, you know, but | thinkn
about lie checked himself at the verge OF
certain sentimental confessions and added presently:
when you hgurn' to start fer Rileys anyhow?
"Wal-wc did want to git away to-day" Tom adj
mitted y" i. you amt wili In, Dan, wly
me all ready to go up to Three-mie Station, and Bet
sey expectin''
His sentence was never concluded for light quick
footstcp almost his elbow startled and interrupted
him suddenly. lie turned as pretty vision made Its
appearance from around the sunny corner OF his cabin
1t Nancy Toms wiic-rosy checked, brlsht-eyed
strong young arm sat little Miss Prairie Devoe herself
roguish, winning, dmpng with smiles and instantly
squrming to be placed on the ground, and extending
both her baby hands to big Dan, seated the step
His hesitation vanished Immediately well, WE'LL
we'll" he exclaimed he rose and took the young
in his arms; Good morning, Miss Devoe Dld
you come to visit Uncle Dan:
"Baby-comed-to--yo DAN said the tiny
coquene, and She threw both her plump little arms
Nancy winked at her husband surreputousy. Il
Just said that Uncle Dan would only be too glad to
take care of her while was gone She said. Il
told Tom there wasn't another man in POGO del Orc
camp which Id leave little Prairie with but YOU Cncie
Dar-not even Uncle Billy Partr lse, and the Lord
awful glad you want her-and were sure to be back
in week-and, Tom, the stage is most ready, 50 we j
have TO hurry. They've got the trunk and ! fetched
this bag with Prairic's things-somc stockings and
drcsscs-she eis EN- dirty so fa,t-and wears en-
ou-bu Uncle Dan can mend them ii they git too
hoey-so well Just kiss her good-by and git started"
She descended on the speeches. Dan, who was once
more seated on the step with little Prairie on his
knee, and giving the tot warm embrace she Kissed
her seventeen times in second, tossed tie bag or
things inside the house. stragtencd out her hat upon
her head and ready 10 depart
"You don't mean you're goin right now-on TINS
mornings stage" said Dan at last, and maybe gon'
to stay away week.
"Why, hasn't ON been teln' you them was our
program?' answered Nancy in surprise Then what
in the world have you been doing all this morning
OF course that's what we're goin to do, Uncle Dan,
so good-by-wcvc got to hurry. Tom, come on
All right" said Tom You go ahead | want to
speak to Dan for half minute
Dan said: 81 guess I'm elected"
Tom felt not little abashed at the manner in which
the charge had been thrust upon his friend Il only
STAYED behind Dan" said he 'o suggest that if Bet
sey's on your mind-Betscy Dodd, up to the Three
mile Station-why maybe you could tote Prairie uf
there to help You do your courtin You know what
the little gal done for me, -
Dan shook his head obviously "Ihcrcs two thing
sure that amt no help when a man tooln aroun'
sparkn'" he answered, zones giant po~dcr and the
other is little gal kid like Miss Devoc III hX it "
some way, Tom. You git a-goin' and good luck witt
the consum-me" SO
Guess I'd better" said Tom. g! know you'll taxi
good care Of little Prairie and enjoy her visit .
long"