Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-04-30

inc rlSnt sldc To lind the place
whence came that lieartbreaking drip.
Disappointed in their desire to get in
men crowded before the window.
Louise stepped softly forward and
drew the blind between him and the
mass of curious faces without. She
was very pale, but quiet and self
possessed. She had rallied when
Langford had whispered to her that
Gordon's heart was still beating The
doctor raped loudly, calling to Lang
ford to open. Paul admitted him and
then stepped out in full sight of all.
his hand still on She knob. The late
moon was just rising A faint light
spread out before him.
Boys" he cried, a great grief In his
stern voice, cts murder Dick Cor
dons murdered. Now get--you know
what for-and be quick about it,"
They laid him gently on the floor,
took off his coat and cut away the
blood-soaked Shirt. Louise assisted
with def, tender hands. Presently
the heavy lids lifted, the gray eyes
stared vacantly for moment-then
smiled. Paul bent over him.
What happened, cd man." the
wounded man whispered gropingly. It
required much effort to say this little,
and a shadow of pain fell over his
face.
Flush, Dick dear boy" said Lang
ford, with n catch in his voice. You're
all right now, but you mustn't talk.
You're too weak. We are going to
move you across to the hotel"
But what happened" he insisted.
"You were shot, you know, Dick.
Keep quiet now! I'm going for a
stretcher."
Am | done for?" the weak voice
kept on. But there was 70 fear in it.
YOU will be If you keep on talking
like that"
Obeylng sign from the doctor he
slipped away and out Gordon closed
his eyes and was still for a long time
His face was white and drawn with
suffering.
Has he fainted?' VIII pcred Louise.
The eyes opened quickly. They fell
upon Louise, who had not time to
draw away. The shadow Of the old
sweet smile came and lowered around
his lips.
Louise" he whisperca
Eyes. it is l." she sad, laying heI
hand lightly on his forahead you
must be good until Pau gets back"
I'm done for, so Tho rest OF the
criminal calendar will have to go over
You can go back to-Goj's country
sooner than you thought
Il am not going back to-God''
country" SAID Louise, Unexpectedly
She had not meant to Gag It, but she
meant It when she said j..
Come here, close to me. Louise
said Gordon, in low v3ice. He hat
forgotten the doctor. - ~ had better
Ill get up il you dom Closer still
I want you to--kiss NE before Pau
gets back"
Louise grew white. Sho glanced hea
itatingly at the doctor, timidly at tn
new lover in the old nan. Then sh
bent over him where he lay stretche
on the floor and kissed him on tn
| lips. A great light cane into mis- eye
before he closed them cOntentedly an
slipped into unconsciousnsss again.
Lnngford roendaj ~ liz Munso
and sent MIN across with a stretchcl
and then ran upstairs for an extr
| HIM kat of his h.I II hilton
ly cold. and Dick must be we
wrapped. On the upper landing he ell
countered Mary alone. Something i
her desolate attitude stopped him.
whats the matter. Mary?" he Dc
manded. Selling her hands.
Nothing she answered, dull!
How Is he?"
"All right, trust and pray. but hu'
terribly, wickedly"
He did not quite understand D.
she love Gordon? Was that why ST.
looked so heart broken? Taking he
face in his two hands, lie compelle
her to look at him straight
Now tell me- he said
Did l kill him." she asked.
Kill whom?'
why, him-Tesse Black
Then he understood
Mary, my gin, was It you. Wer
those last shots yours?" All the +
otOus love in him trembled on hi
tongue.
Did II" she persisted.
God grant You did, he said, SC
EMMY. There is blood outside tn
window, but he is gone"
Il don't like to kill people" she SAT-
brokenly. Why do | always have ,
do it,"
He drew her to him strongly an
held her close against his breast.
You are the brayest and best gi
on earth he said My girl--you al
my girl, you know-hereafter / wi
do all necessary killing for--my wife
He kissed the sweet, quivering LIZ
as he said it.
why, JIM" cried Langford in su
prise. Il thought you had gone wit
the stretcher."
Il did co." said jim, swallowir
hard He shifted nervously from or
spurred foot to the other. But
came back"