Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-03-19
hat cannot be overdone."

Dust and cinders drifted in between
the Stats of the closed blind. Putting
her handkerchief to her lips, Louise
looked at the dark streaks on 1t with
reproach.
Your South Dakota dirt is So
black" she said, whmsically.
Better black than yellow" he re-
torted. ut looks cleaner, now. doesn't
it?
Maybe you think my home Mt
dwelling place for John Chinaman,"
pouted Louise.
"Yes-if that will persuade you that
South Dakota is infinitely better. Are
you open to conviction"
Never! should die II / had to
stay here"
you will be going back-soon?'
Some day, sure, Soon? Maybe.
Oh. | wish I could That part Of me
which Is like Uncle Hammond says,
Stay But that other part OF me
which is like the rest OF us, says,
What's the use? Go back to your
kind. You're happier there. Why
should you want TO be different?
What does 1t all amount to- I am
afraid l shall be weak enough and
foolish enough to go back and--stay."
There was a stir in the forward
part Of the car. A man, hitherto sit
ting quietly by the side of an alert
wiry little follow who sat next the
aisle, had attempted to bolt the car
by springing over the empty seat In
front of him and making a dash for
the door. 1t was daring, but in vain.
His companion, as agile as he, had
his place before the rest Of the pas
sengers fully understood that the at
tempt had really been made.
rs he crazy? Are they taking him
to Yankton?' asked Louise, the pretty
color all gone from her face. Did he
think to jump off the train?"
That's John Yellow Wolf, a young
half-breed. He's wanted up in the
Hills for cattle-rustling- States
court case. That's Johnson with him,
deputy United States marshal"
Poor fellow said Louise, pityingly.
Don't waste your sympathy on such
as he. They are degene ratcs-many
of these halfbreeds. They will swear
to anything They inherit all the
evils Of the two races. Good never
mixes. Yellow Wolf would swear him,
self into everlasting torment for pint
of whiskey. You sec my cause of
complaint? But never think, Miss
Dale, that these poor chaps of half
breeds, who are hardly responsible,
are the only ones who are willing to
swear to damnable lies" There was
a tang of bitterness in his voice. Per
jury, Miss Dale, perjury through fear
of bribery or selfinterest. God knows
what, it is there | must break, sup.
pose, until the day Of Judgment, I'M
less-I run away
Louise, through all the working of
his smart and sting, felt the quiet re-
serve strength OF this man beside her
and, with quick rush Of longing to
do her part, her womans part of com.
forting and healing she put her hand.
small, ungloved, on his rough coat
sleeve.
rs that what YOU meant while
ago? But you don't mean it, do you ?
1t is bitter and you do not mean It.
Tell me that You do not mean it, Mr.
Gordon. please she said, impulsively
SmOthering wild impulse to keep
the hand where II had lain such a
brief, palpitating while, Gordon re.
NAMED silent. God only knows what
human longing he crushed down. what
intense discouracement. what sick de
sire to lay down hi, thankless task
and fee to the uttermost parts OF the
world to be away from the crying
need he yet could not still. Then he
answered simply, Il did rot mean It,
Miss Dale"
And then there did not seem to be
anything to say between them for q
long while. The half.breed had set
tied down with stolld Indifference.
People had resumed their newspapers
and magazines and day dreams after
the fleeting excitement 1t was very
warm. Louise tried to create a little
breeze by flicking her somewhat be
grimed handkerchief in front of hel
face. Gordon took 4 newspaper from
his pocket, folded il and famed hol
gently. He was not used to the little
graces OF life, perhaps, but he did this
well. An honest man and a kindly
never goes far wrong In any direction
you must not think, Miss Dale" he
said, seriously. that it Is all bad VI
here. I am only selfish. have beer
harping on my own little corner OF
wickedness all the while. 1t is a good
land 1t will be better before long"
"When:' asked Louise.
when we convict Jesse Black and
when our Indian neighbcrs get over
their mania for divorce" he answered
! laughing softly.
Louise laughed merrily, and so the
Journey ended as it had begun, with q
laugh and Jest.
In the judges runabout, Louise held
out her hand.
I'm almost homesick," she cried
smiling
| CHAPTER TX.