Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-12-24
Fly HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD ~

And even we're she wng for the sakG Of the chill;
accept it. He felt flush OF guilt.
There had been gay dolngs at Thanksgiving; he
back w 10 b ana 'f sna oGq hn
in blue flames and he had taken out his collection
of gems, among them ring Of wonderful workman
ship, The marriage ring OF some old princess gone
to dust he said.
at could have been Paula's marriage ring, if we
n nsa wsa 1' my p sq co. To
their folks, and couldn't spare Paula.
Nanny Rose asked us how We would like it. And
said at all. And that settled it," lust then
the tray OF jewels slipped, and in the scramble after
the runaway treasures no one but the Doctor
the Doctors purple and, the jewels being recovered,
the children were hustled honeward out Of hand
faqa was g mad with gs Mo4 b tod the D9eo
ii She wanted YOU to marry her. We told her that
married people loved each other and asked
il she loved you. OF course, we knew that you
loved Paula, because every one loves Paula But
she grew so angry she ran right out OF the room.
Ne love you; but that's different. You can't marry
III Of And you know couldn't lose Paula.
We couldn't do without her" The Doctor
helping Benson fit their skates just. then; he was
without snow having made the river. broadening
below sheet OF ice By Christmas time they
too absorbed in the Joy of their winged feet to care
even for Christmas tree. Nanny Rose and Paula,
however, had their own plans.
1t vas vas before the sunset Of cloudy d. Christmas
bring the children to a fcstivty Marina and Benson
lad prepared "Huccotm den, ar chllpns ain
in an done hab der faces wash;' NANNY, Rose
saying "Deys dess natuly gone wild ober
dem skates Pears Ike ain yeered EN- rae keith
dis yer long time Niarse Monty Marse Johnny!
bell, back like echo, other sound reply
oh, Nanny Rose" cried Paula, aingng down
"My gracious. Missy Paula, you don't reckon dcys
in dc ribber? Sho. chile de rbber5 done froze stiff
TO- de groun'! Dem limbs is more bodder to me dan
NIare OH A-J hor ,-r.tcr
concert pitch.
Bit. 10 Morse Johnny replied; nor were any chill
dren in sight when catching up coaks and hoo3s.
they ran outdoors. where it already twilight
They have probably gone down the river" said
;he Doctor. or could they have gone up And lie
looked about him anXiously, for up-rivcr the
pond with, its air cles, and GownTiver the Big
stream where at the junction. there sure e De
said the Doctor 1T will be pitch dark in hall an
hour. Benson shall 60 up stream, and will go
down. in the meantime let have torch that viii
throw light as far as light flies! And when he
came back with his skates. two Of the farm hands
they made pile at the base OF he dead pine tee.
AS it is fred he said brcklng his last
strap. take burning brands and FIRE the branches"
And then he was off ono way and Benson the other
calling they went And Paula and Nanny Rose
stood shuddering and snvering on the bank, calling
"Yo come in. chile" said The old Nanny
Lain no use ; adm = ::onbc an reskn' y9sel
Nanny"
Dr. I.lovd had not skatcd Ear down the bends ano
reaches OF the little stream before he saw how be-
wdered children might become Suddenly. through
the stiffness following one OF his stcntorian cries
from far OF, round the bend of the shore beyond
the Long Wood, came irai pipe like that OF bird
fallen from me''' and then another AID another
The Doctor never stoned 10 listen; he uut fresh
icrce TO his strokes ana sped on to find the little
people at last huddled ,oget,. in nlo,;al terror
"Oh, knew you'd e 1;ped ore as he ap-
preached. hearing, if not seeing, him. "Only we
al ed ard Cd
about We ddn't kc,. Wine w; tc so!' And
very truly. the Doct,. fc' a. he re Sc f;om com
forting them inoa,tnt He h7le!f didn't know
whic y to go. He haC gwen hi, la match too
80 Maria with the farm-iands and lie could not
The lace OF the compass on his watch-chain
lie waited. seeking something that might seem
liar But all -; So and blank Out here
with these chdrs.., all night in a storm His heart
t9iled rim and then a great glow shore in the
sky Come" he cried cu;, ky That is the way
hon,cl" And as thcv rounded the bend \ nilIar 81