Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-01-09
CHAPTER XII.

and wet with tears. Instantly, all con-
Germ, the elder girl knelt beside her.
"Marylyn." she begged, smoothing the
soft, unbraided hair spread out upon
the robe, "Marylyn, what's the mat.
teri"
A long sob.
"Why, dear baby, don't you fret
We're going to be all right. Dadll
soon be back. Mr.. Lounsbury's watch
ing, and we won't lose the little home"
"Oh, 1t amt that 1T amt that
weeping harder than before. I'm, so
unhappy"
to the heart. Some trouble, heretofore
concealed, was threatening her sisters
peace of mind. And she had not dis
covered 1t in time, had not prevented
1t, had not shielded her as she ought
"Marylyn, honey, tell me what's the
matter"
The younger girl crept closer, screen
ing her eyes.
Dallas lifted her into her arms. Her
cheek was feverish, her hands were
dry and hot
Sudden terror seized the elder girl
the old terror that had fastened upon
her through all the years of her moth
er's falling.
"Marylyn," she said huskily, do you
feel that-that you're not as well as
you was? Are you afraid you'll be
sick like-motherW
There was an answering shake OF
the head.
Dallas pressed her close. murmuring
her thankfulness, whispering broken
endearments. "Oh. Dal's so glad.
She couldn't stand It II her baby sister
was to suffer Oh. honey heart, honey
hearth
But Marylyn was not comforted
Listen babe Dallas. 'In all your
life have you ever asked me to do any
thing that l didn't do, or to give you
anything that didn't give II could
And now something's fretting you. l
can't think what It is. But you got to
tell me. and I'll help you out"
mo, no"
II don't care what II Is, won't
blame you. II It's something wrong
why, it couldn't bell forgive you.
You know that Marylyn."
Again mo. no." but with less re-
sIstance.
Tell me-" said Dallas firmly.
Marylyn looked up. You'll hate me
II do" she faltered.
The elder girl laughed fondly. "As
II could"
you promise not to tell pap
course promise"
"Oh, Dallasw She buried her face
in her hands. "It's-it's that IL like
him. like him."
A moment Of perplexity. Then,
gradually, it dawned upon the elder
girl whom the other meant. In very
surprise her arms loosened their hold.
you do hate me-" Marylyn said
plaintively.
mo, honey, no-why should I hate
youT Her words were earnest. But
her voice-somethng had changed It.
And she felt a strange hurt, vague
hurt that seemed TO have no cause.
Marylyn raised herself on an elbow.
"He liked me-once,' she said. He
showed It Just as plain. 1t was right
hsre-that day the cattle went by
Dallas got up. She had begun to
tremble visibly. Her breath was com
ing short, as If She had been running
But the younger girl did not notice.
''He stayed away 50 long" she went
on. Then. TO-DAY when he came-you
remember, Dallas-he just said word
or two to me and laughed at me be-
cause I was afraid. And-and l saw
that I was wrong, and IL saw-he
liked-you."
ME" Dallas turned. She felt the
blood come driving into her face. She
felt that strange hurt ease and 60 in
q rush Of joyful feeling Then she un-
derstood the cause If it and why she
had embled-why that day had been
the happiest Of her life
or a sudden she became conscious
that Marylyn's eyes were upon her
with look of pathetic reproach. She
began to laugh.
Nonsense, honey she said. Don't
be silly. Me. Why, he'd never like n
great big gawk Ike me-
"But-but''-
me, with my red hair-you know 1t
is kinda red-and my face, sunburned
ms a lndian-hands all calloused like
like a mans" She turned back to the
dusk through the window. ooh. no,
not me!'
"But you looked so funny Just now"
ibid l? Did ~ Dallas stammered
out her reason "Well-well, that was
because-because l thought you was
going to say 1t was a soldier" She
laughed neryously. But it was Mr.
Lounsbury you meant, honey. wasn't
IT."
The suspicion that had troubled the
mind of the younger girl was allayed.
why, Dallas, how could you think
such thing about me! Like a soldier
My, no! 1t was Mr.. Lounsbury-but
he don't like me"
She got up and went to the foot Of her
fathers bunk. When she reappeared
she was carrying the soap box that
held her belongings. On the robe once
more. she TOOK out and held up to the
light OF the fire two books and a strip
Of beaded cloth.
Inc elder left the window and stood
beside her,
These are what he gave me-" went
On Marylyn, putting forward the
DOCKS. And this"-she showed the
oeao work-"hs asked me to make for