Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-23
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II pa>z1''>''' ~ 60

The ,ewcicr ue,ghed the dust u,th a dts
truStfui trOUn.
hydraulic company had been robbed
again Some two months previously
there had occurred series of depre-
dations by which the company had
suffered. The boxes were not swept
nj their golden harvest each day. and
III spite OF all precautions coarse gold
lad disappeared mysteriousy from
the rifles. this. although armed men
had watched all night. There had
been much guess work The cabin on
the hillside was the nearest ha bitation
the company's hume disgorsed its
food in the gulch beneath it-and sus-
picion had eventually pointed its way.
The sudden ceasing Of the robberies
with the disappearance Of Hugh Stires
had given focus to this suspicion.
Now. almost coincident with his re-
turn. the thievery had recommended.
1t had been red letter day for Dew.
I'm and his ilk, who caviled at the
more ch.esitAble OF all this. however.
the object OF their 81 told you so"
was serenely ignorant.
Entering the town, there were few
stirring on the sunny streets, but he
could not but be aware that those he
met stopped to gaze after him Some
indeed followed His first objective
point was a jewelers., where he could
turn his gold dust into reader coin
for needful purchases. He saw a
sign next the Mountain Valley House
and entered.
The jeweler weighed the dust. with
a distrustful frOwn. but Harrys head
was turned away. He was reading a
freshly printed placard tackled on the
wall. an offer Of reward for the detec.
ton of the s!uice thief. He read 1t
through mechanically, for as he read
there came from the street outside a
sound that touched mufiled chord in
his brain. It WAS the exhaust of q
motor car.
He thrust the money the goldsmith
grudgingly handed him into his pocket
and turned to the door 4 long red
automobile had stopped at the curb
Two men whom 1t carried were jus,
entering the hotel Something in the
sight of the long low racer" reminded
Harry-of what? His eye traced its
polished lines, noting It's cunning mech
anism. its build for silent speed. with
took step toward it. oblivious to all
about him
He did not note that men were gath
ering. that the nearest saloon was
emptying Of its occupants. Nor did he
see girl on horseback. with tiny
child before her on the saddle. who
refined up sharply opposite.
The rider was Jessica. the child ar
ecstatic fve-year-old she had picked uI
on the fringe Of the town to canter IT
with her hands gripping the pommel OF
the saddle. She saw Harrys position
instantly and guessed It perilous VIVA
did the men mean to do? She leaned
forward, swift apprehension in he
face
Harry came back suddenly TO real
fzation OF his surroundings He looked
about him, startled, his cheek darken
ing Its red. every muscle instlnctivel.
tightening He saw danger In the low
sring faces, and the old lust OF DARN.
leaped up instantly to grapple with til,
rejuvenated character.
Devlin's voice came over the head
of the crowd as, burly and shirt sleeved
he strobe across the street:
Hand over the dust you've gtolel
before you are tarred and feathered
Hugh Stires!"
Harry looked at him. surprised. hi
mind Instantly recurring to the placar,
he had seen. Here was a tangible ac
rusation.
II have stolen nothing" he respond
I'd quietly.
where did he get what he just sol
me?" The jewelers. sour query ros
behind him from the doorway.
Wen find that out" was the roug
'ejoinder.
In face of his threatening peril les
sica forgot all else-the FESTIVE horse
the child. She sprang to the groun(
her face panied and indignant, an
started to run across the street. Bp
with cry of dismay. she turned bacl
The horse had caught sight of the re-
automobile and, sn0rting and vii
eyed. had swung Into the roadway.
ITS Devlin's kid" some one erie
but, and Devln. turning went sudden
" ashen. The baby was the one sol
spot IN his rufianly heart. He spran
toward the animal but the movemci
and the hands clutching ut the brid
cent 1t to leaping terror. In nnotl,
instant II had broken through the riIl