Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-01-23


hunter, she reasoned, or drunken
trooper or one Of the Shanty Town
gang. But the laugh--it rang in her
ears.
Several twilights passed; then she
venturcd out again. A lip Of moon was
dropping down an unclouded sky; the
stars hung low and white. And when
she neared the swale she saw. a good
distance before her, that small black
object separate itself from the grove
again and move forward.
She stopped. She was not frightened
now. She knew who 1t was. And when
she saw his arms come up and caught
the CLINT Of metal she called out to
him: Don't! Don't. It's me-"
There was n muttercd exclamation,
and the arms fell. Miss Dallas" he
cried and sprang forward.
II was sure it was YOU" she adj
mlttcd TREMENDOUSLY. "And you've been
guarding here all the time"
Lounsbury was painting. suppose
I'd fired - he said 81 had mind TO.
Crimlnr'
You'd "a missed likely"
Maybe not You sec, | thought, well
that Matthews or that precious
brother of his, they might get TO both
erlng you folks. Anyway. amt it dan
gerous for you to be out here late like
thisT
at ia for you. You get shot at
keeping guard on US"
He thumped the swale impatlently
with the butt of his gun.
ooh, it was YOU" she persisted,
gravely enough. "That is why I came
tonight"
"Ah! You mean that I can help you,
Miss Dallas. Tell me-tell me, what
can dor
Don't let Matthews Kill YOU
| Lounsbury laid down his gun. When
he Strengthened he stepped to her side.
Me-" he said. "Wcll, I'm n match for
him. You amt But what elsc?'
| She moved aside, averting her face.
There is something. Miss Dalas;"
"Y-e-e-s"
| He saw she was disconnected and
strovc TO put her at ease. do you
know" he said. you're so tall in that
coat you almost look like heap big
chief"
She did not hear him. She was not
listening. The wished for opportuni-
ty was come. She was trying dcspcr-
ately to rally Il speech. "You-you
amt been round of late" she began
at last. II hope But she could not
finish.
NO" he said slowly. He rammed
his hands into his trousers pockets. II
haven't been around lately but didn't
think you'd notice it." lie darted a
glance at her.
WAS it dad?" she asked Did you
think''-
Yes, it was your father I thought
he went out of his way to be-well
kinda short. you know was only
trying t be decent"
Dads funny" she said refectively
"Whcncver we get to Il chuc; hole
where all of US ought to pull t'gether
he goes slack on the tugs. He's like
Ben that way. So l have T. go up t
him, stroke his name, fix his curb and
let some cool air under his collar
After while he gives a haw hee ha W
and goes on"
Lounsbury did not laugh. "He balli
ed when II came to me-" he said so
berly, land it hurt. Aftcrward | kinds
got it into my head that none of yor
wanted me-
She looked straight at him. Blu
one did-one did" she whispered, chok
ing.
He pulled his hands free of his peck
cts "One--one,' he SAID husklly
"Who?"
And now everything was clear t.
her. She knew just what to say. Sh'
had no feelings Of self. The duty wa'
not hateful or embarrassing. "Who?'
she repeated. Don't you know. Mr.
Lounsbury? Why, Marylyn,'
"Marylyn." he echoed rs If In puz
zle; "Marylyn. You're joking
She caught a shade of reproach il
that and misunderstood it. Il reckon
you won't like her so we'll now" sh
said.
Like her so well? don't know
| y
"She-she likes you." stammered Dial
las.
Still he was puzzled. 81 supposed
she didn't hate me-
But now you know"
There was no installing her. Utter
" dumfounded. he could not trust a
immediate answer. Il see, see" h
said finally.
And you'll like her just the same?
lie drew deep breath. His eye
were on her face. trying to read 1t Il
the drnncss. Then, Il am not GU
boy. Miss Dallas"
You won't stay away" she persist
ed. You'll come"
"If I'm judging right. I mustn't. In
I'm sorry"
; "Sorry--just sorry
He strobe back and forth few times
"Why-why. Miss Dallas. you mus
understand that n man can't-when
girl Well it d be low for me to tall
about it, That's about and out low"
) Something stirred her powerfully
then-something she combated and con
cealed from him by a touch Of appal
ent anger. There's nothing low abou
IT," she said. "A man ought to b
proud. Oh" as he was about to reply
you don't know how she's felt! She
been sick over 1t, white and sad. an
at night she'd cry"
He WINGED.