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


with the sharp edge OF the window
casing. He was pale, but he had lost
none of the old faith in himself or in
his power TO dominate affairs in the
cattle country. Defeat was intolerahle
to him. He refused to bow his head
to 1t. Todays check only made him
the more determined. II that were
possible, to free the land Of its shame.
"I'll pull myself together again.
never fear" said Gordon. Just give
me tonight. You see that's not all.
I've something else to think about,
too, now that | have time. 1t takes
fellows nerve away to have every
thing that Is worth while drop out at
once. But I've rallied before. l know
tonight but"
Dick interrupted Langford, blunt
ly, did she turn you down.
Il never asked her. She is going
back-home-next week"
"If you let her"
you don't quite unerstand, Paul"
said Gordon. little YEARLY. She
said she could never live in this coun-
try-never. She would die here. Could
I ask her after that? Could I ask any.
way, and be a man? | know. She
would just pine away"
Girls don't pne--only In magma.
ton. They are tougher than you give
them credit for"
But somehow. Mary seems differ
ent." said Gordon. thoughtfully. He
surprised flush in his friends cheek
you deserve her, old man. you'll be
very happy. She is the right kind.
congratulate you with all my heart"
An odd lump came into Langfords
throat Despite Gordon's vigorous and
healthful manhood. there seemed al
ways a certain pathos of life surround
ing him.
Il haven't asked her, either" con.
fessed Paul. But you have made II
possible for me to do so--to-night--
to.morrow-whenever I can find a
chance. Take my advice, old man.
don't let your girl go. You'll find she
is the kind after all You don't know
her yet"
Paul left the room, and Gordon
paced the narrow confines Of his shah
by office-back and forth-many
times. Then he threw himself once
more into his chair. The hours were
long. He had all night to think about
| things. When morning came, all his
weakness would be over. No one
should ever again see him so un-
manned as Paul had seen him to-
night. And when Louise should Cog
/ his arms fell nervelessly to the table.
/ He remained thus a moment, his eyes
fixed and unseelng. and then his
head dropped heavily upon his arms.
Alone in the night Louise awoke
She found 1t impossible to fall asleep
again. She was nervous 1t must be
something In the atmosphere. She
tossed and tossed and flounced and
founced. She counted up to thou.
sands. She made her mind a blank
so otter that she flew to thinking TO
escape the emptiness OF IT, Still her
eyes were wide and her mind fairly
arsuiver with activity. She slipped
out Of bed She would tire herscii
into sleep. She even dressed She
would show herself II she must be d
midnigh. prowler, she would wear the
garments people affect when they
have their thoughts and energies on
matters mundane. Drawing the oil
stove close to the window fronting
the street, she sank into a chair. drew
q heavy shawl over her shoulders put
her feet on the tiny fender and pre-
pared to fatigue herself into oblivion
A light shone from the window
across the way. He was still at work
then. He ought not to sit up so late
No wonder he was looking so worr
out lately. He ought to have some
one to look after him. He never
thought of himself He never hsc
time. She would talk to him abou,
keeping such late hOurs-if she were
not going back to Gods country mex
week. Only next week. 1t was toe
good to be true-and yet she sighed
But there was no other way. She
ought never to have come. She was
not big enough. He, too, had told hel
she was not the kind. Doubtless, NJ
knew. And she didn't belong to any
body here. She was glad she was go
Ing back to where she belonged II
somebody. She would never go ava.
again.
Was that Gordon passing back ant
forth In front Of the window? Some
thing must be troubling him. Wa
1t because Jesse Black had escaped
But what a glorious vindication Of hi
belief in the mans guilt had tina
afternoon been given. Nothing lacke,
there. Why should he be sorry
Sometimes, she thought he might car
that day crossing the river for In
stance; but he was reserved-h
never said-and 1t was much, nue.
better that he did not care, now tina
she was going away and would neve
come back. There was nothing in al
, the world that could make her com
back to this big, bleak. lonesome Ian
/ where she belonged to nobody Blu
} she was sorry for him. He looked sa
and lonely. He didn't belong to any
I body here, either yet he wasn't goin
to run away as she was. Well. but h
| was a man, and men we're different.
} And now she noticed that his hea
2 had sunk down onto his arms. Ho,
still he sat! The minutes passe
away. Still he sat motionless. his fac
! huriad