Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-27

way he neiu lcr ON BuckSkin"' lie
caught her hand
There's one thing that hurts" she
answered. ''rhat it kept YOU out there
watching, and l didn't even 90 to you
but II
you were doing the white thing by
that little sister. That makes it all the
sweeter."
"She was afraid I'd scold." still
through tears.
you scold!'
81 would. | felt different about sol.
diers-thcn."
lie took a deep breath. They're
handy to have around" he said.
shes afraid Mr.. Fraser III find out
what she said about you"
"IIe won't. lie might yet notion
she didn't know her own mind yet.
He might-well. as Kippis says. les
bloomin' 'ot 'eaded.' the little bcggar.'
"Shc don't know ! told you. It'd
bother her r.
That's between you and nc, Dial
las" lie drew her near.
Eyes"
Eyes, John" promptingiy.
Eyes, John"
The morning glory vines on the lat
tice reached up and out Brushed by
the wind they made sheltcring veil.
He drew her closer. He lifted her face
to his by a smoothing carcss of her
hair. He kissed her.
MY dearest. My splendid girl"'
lie shook his head roguishly at her.
$50 wild, she was, with the bit in her
teeth. And she eats right out of
my hand"
Then. roguish no longer, he lifted
her two hands, turned them, palms up,
and touched them with his lips.
"Ah, dear, there must he no more
going it alone. l want to take care Of
you after this. We won't wait, will
weT'
"No.r
"Just the minute a minister can be
reached"
Yes"
"Ive mind to bride Mike into TAX
ing us TO bismarck after breakfast"
You're too sick" Her face was
grave; her eyes watched him anxious
ly. "All night I thought about you.
How I went running off when | heard
that shot oh, suppose, suppose
"I'll be over this In day. And !
know you went because you had to.
Don't | know you weren't afraid7
Don't I know why You left Marylyn
11rl, it,6 Of M ',n
a wife for man out here-'
She colored under bis praise
After a time they walked to the top
Of the steps.
Across the river at the center Of the
yellow bend it stood-the squat shack.
Dear little home" she said.
You wouldn't like to leave it, You
can go to Bismarck, you know, or east
or anywhere"
I'D rather stay
"We'll stay-risht over there. Then
when the town comes and it gets too
populous-if you like and if Marylyn
S not at this post-we'll go farther up
to open country again"
"We1l take your share Of the Clark
herd" she said.
I've got fine little saddle mare for
you" he said.
Somebody entered the parlor behind
them-two sOmebodies, hand in hand.
Dallas" called Que meekly.
"Lounsbury hailed the other.
The storekceper went in, Dallas with
him. Bless your sweet hearts" he
said when he faced the couple. Mary
Ign, you rested? Fraser, you look idi-
otically happy"
I'm not alone" retortcd the licuten
ant I'D hate to describe you this
minute, your face bcamlng through all
that lint"
Save yourself the trouble hero be-
fore my future wife"
Fraser turned 10 Marylyn. "Phew,
Eut we're important. Listen to him."
"Dallas wants to 20 back to the
shack. Can a ordinsry everyday
trooper look after the Euest two-year-
old and the finest team in Dakota?
Not by a long shot! ArI I'm not 60
Ing to let her go alone" soberly, after
what's happened. Cant take any more
chances"
Fraser sobered too. Nothing to fear
any more" he said "Whcn Mikes
men were getting the boat OF down
below they found-hlm."
a moments silence.
"They think he tried To cross and
couldn't. There he was, tangled up in
vvifloU'c IoviI