Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-03-19
CHAPTER VIII.
The County Attorney.

!
The County Attorney.
II too am going TO Wind City" said
n pleasant voice at her side "You will
let me help you with your things, will
you not
The slender girl standing before the
ticket window, stuffing change into
her coin purse, turned quickly.
Why, Mr.. Gordon she said, hold
Ing out small hand with frank pleas
ure. How very nice. Thank you, will
you take my ran.coat? 1t has been
such bother. I would bring it right
In the face Of Uncle Hammond's OBJ
1ections. He said it never rained out
this way. But l surely have suffered a
plenty for my waywardness. Don't You
think so?"
1T behooves tenderfoot like you
to sit and diligently learn of such ex-
perienced and toughened old-timers as
we are. rather than faunt your I'M
tried ideas in our faces, responded
Gordon, with smile that transformed
the keen gray eyes of this man of
much labor, much lofty ambition, and
much sorrow, so that they seemed
for the moment strangely young.
| laughing, untroubled; as clear Of faint
of evil knowledge as the source of a
stream leaping joyously into the sun
light from some mountain solitude. 1t
was revelation to Louise.
II will try to be good and dill
gent seeker after knowledge of this
strange land Of yours she answered.
with a little laugh, half of embarass-
ment, half of enjoyment of this play
of nonsense, and leading the way to
her suitcase and Mary outside when
I make mistakes. will you tell me
about them? Down east you know,
our feet travel in the ancient. pro
scribed circles of our fOrefathers. and
they are apt to go somewhat uncer-
tainly II thrust into new paths"
And this laughing, clever girl had
cried with inconsistencies! Well, no
wonder. The worst Of 1t was, she
could never hope to be acclimated
She was MOTHER kind. Sooner or
later she must 60 back to Gods coun-
try.
To her surprise, Gordon, though he
laughed softly for moment, answer
ed rather gravely.
IF my somewhat niggardly fate
should grant me that good fortune,
that may do something for you, l
ask that you be not afraid to trust to
my help. 1t would not be half-hearted
i assure you"
She looked up at him gratefully
His shoulders, slightly stopped, betok-
ening the grind at college and the bur-
den-bearing in later years, instead Of
suggesting any inherent weakness in
the man, rather inspired her with an
intuitive faith in their quiet, unswerv-
ing. utter trusthworthiness.
Thank YOU" she said, simply. 81
am SO glad they did not hurt you
much that day in the courtroom. We
worried--Mary and t.
Thank you. There was not the
least danger. They were merely vent
ing their spite on me. They would not
have dared more"
There's my brakeman said Louise,
when she and Gordon had found a
seat near the rear. Mary had gone and
a brakeman had swung onto the last
car as 1t glided past the platform, and
came down the aisle with a grin of
recognition for his little white lamb"
How nice 1t all seems. just as II
had been gone months instead of
days and was coming home again. 1t
would be funny II ! should be home
sick for the range when | get to
Wind City, wouldn't IT."
Let US pray assiduously that il
may be So" answered Gordon, With
one of his rare smiles. He busted
himself moment In slowing away
her belongings to the best advantage
1T gets in ones blood-how or when
one never knows"
They rode In silence for while
Tell me about your big fight" said
Louise, presently. The roadbed was
fairly good, and they were spinning
along on down grade. He must needs
bend closer to hear her.
She was good to look at. fair and
sweet, and 1t had been weary years
since women had come close to Cor
don's life. In the old college days, be
fore this hard. disappointing. unequal
hght against the dominant forces oil