Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-08

aloud that she had loved him, and him
only. Every instinct in him shouted
that she loved him In spite Of her
cruel protestations.
A man came with his supper but he
called to him to begone. There are
those who believe that In passing from
daylight TO darkness a subtle transit
tlon occurs akin to the change from
positive to negative In an electrical
current and that this intangible, I'M
traceabe atmospheric influence cxerts
definite psychical effect upon men
and their modes of thought. Be this
as 1t may, It is certain that as the
night grew darker the lieutenant's
mood changed. He lost his fierce an
ger at the girl and reasoned that he
owed It to her to set himself right in
her eyes: that in all justice TO her he
ought to prove his own sincerity.
An up river steamboat was Just land
ing as ne neared the trading post--a
freighter. rs he noted by her lights.
In the glare at the river bank he saw
Poleon and the trader. who had EVIL
IDENTIFY returned from Lees creek. and
without accosting them he hurried on
to the store Peerng in from the dark,
ness, he saw Alluna No doubt Necia
was alone in the house behind. SO he
stumbled around to the back to find
the window Of her room aglow behind
it's curtain, and, receiving no answer
to his knock. he entered, for 1t was
customary ut Gales TO waive cere-
mony. Inside the big room he paused,
then stepped swiftly across and rap
ped at her door, falling back pace as
che came out
Instead of speaking at once. as he
had planned. to prevent her escaping.
he was struck speechless, for the
vision that met his eyes was that
which he had seen one bithc spring
morning three months before, but to.
night there was no shawl to conceal
her sweetly rounded neck and shout
iers. whose Wilderness was startling
against the black Of the ballroom
gown. The slim gold chain hung
around her neck. and her hair was
piled high, as before. He noted every
smallest detail as she stood there wait
ing for him to speak, forgetful Of ev-
erythlng else.
She had put on the gown again to
see If perchance there might be some
mark of her blood or breed that haG
escaped her previous scrutiny, and, ras
there was no one to observe her, she
had attired herself slowly, absorbed
in her whimsy. Her wistful beauty
dazed the young man and robbed him
of the words he had rehearsed. but as
she made to fee from him, with a
pitiful gesture. toward her room the
fear of losing her aroused him and
spurred his wit.
Don't go away! have something
I must tell you. I've thought It over.
and you've got to listen, Necia."
II am listening" she answered very
quietly.
understand me, I'm not whining,
and I'm willing to take my medicine.
I couldn't talk or think very straight
this afternoon, but you were wrong"
Eyes, know now was wrong 1t
was most unladylike. wasn't It? But,
you see, I am only little savage"
II don't mean that. I mean you were
wrong when you snid I had played
with you. In the sight of God, l swear
you were mistaken. You have made
me love you, Nccla. Can't you seer"
She made no sign.
IF you can't, owe It to you and to
myself to set you right. l am not
ashamed to acknowledge my love. and
even when you are married to Poleon
want you to know that I shall love
you always"
| Even yet she made no sign. Was he
not merely repeating the same empty
words with which he had so often be-
guiled her? There was no word Of
marriage. He still considered her IN
worthy. beneath him.
"You do love me, Necia-you do! l
see 1t in your eyes," And he started
toward her with open arms, but she
shrank away from him.
mo, no! Don't touch me.' she al
most screa med.
"My dear one" he breathed. you
must listen to me. You have nothing
to fear. for I love you-love you-love
you, You were made for me, You'll
be my wife. Yes: you'll be married
on Sunday, but to me, not to Poleon or
any other man"
Did she hear Alright? Was he, her
soldier lover asking her. the Indian
girl!
you do love me. don't you:" he
pleaded. But still she could not speak.
and he tried to read the answer in her
swimming eyes.
"You mean-you want to-marry
me:' she murmured at last. hesitating
shyly at the word that had come to
play so momentous a part in her little
world.
Indeed l do" he declared, with en-
phasis, "n spite of everything, any
thing! Nothing else matters, I'll quit
the army. I'll give up the service and
my people too. I'll put everything
back of me. and We'll start out anew
Just you and l."
wait moment" she said retreat
Ing little from his eager, outstretch-
ed arms. why do you need to do all
that"
Never mind why. It's as good as
done. You wouldn't understand"
But / think ! do understand now.
Do really mean all that to your"
yes, and more"
Listen to me-" said the girl quietly