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

/ ant fYobly. but as his glance
E fell on his daughter he stopped
| stock still on the threshold.
II toM you never to wear that dress
again" he said In dry. harsh voice.
The girl made no answer, for her
heart was breaking but turned and
went into her room. Burrell had an
irresistible desire to tell Gale that he
wanted bis daughter for his wife. 1t
would be an unwonted pleasure to
startle this iron gray old man and the
shawled and stumbling mummy OF
, red. with the unwini:ins eyes that al
ways reminded him Of two oXheart
cherries, but he had given Necia his
promise. So he descended TO the ex-
| change Of ordinary topics and inquired
for the news of the creek.
"Necia's ground is getting better ev-
cry hour" the trader said. Yesterday
they found a sixty dollar pam"
Have you struck pay on yours?'
| mo: Poleon and seem to hold bad
hands. Some OF his laymen are quit
ting work. They've cross cut In half
dozen places and can't find color"
Gale went to Necia's door and called
her, but when she appeared he was un-
prepared for the tragic face with which
she greeted him.
Daughter" he said, don't feel bad
over what l said. didn't mean to be
cross with you. butt don't like that
dress"
Were you cross with me, daddy"
she said duly. ~ didn't hear. What
did you say"
He looked at her in Amusement. "Ne
cha, little girl. what is the trouble?"
She was staring past him, and her
fingers were rumblng helpessly with
the lace Of her gown. but she began to
show signs Of collapse.
II sent him away-I-gave him up.
when he wanted me-wan,cd ne Oh
daddy. he wants to marry me-and
sent him away"
"He asked you to marry him in-in-
in spite Of who you are and what
am?"
Yes; he is ready to give up his am
bition, his army. his future. his family
everything. for me-to sacrifice 1t ALL
and so. of course. I couldn't let him"
She spoke simply, as If her father
would surely understand and approve
her action, while in her voice wns a
note Of inevitable resignation. You
see. never understood what my blood
would mean to him until tonight. I've
been selfish and thoughtless. guess.
just wanted him. and wanted him to
take me, but now that he is mine
love him more than l though: He is
so dear to me that / can't drag him
DOWN. can't--I can't" She went to
the open door and stood leaning
against the casing, facing the cool out
or darkness. her face hidden from
them, her form sagging YEARLY. as If
The struggle had Slapped her whole
strength.
Aliuna crept to the trader and look
I'd up at him eagerly. whispering:
This will end in little while, John
She IS young. She can go back to the
mission tomorrow. She will soon for
get"
Forget! Do you think she can for
gety"
ANY woman can forget. Only men
remember"
ut is the red blood in you-lying
You know you lie"
1T is to save your life" she said.
y know, but it's no use" To Nicola
he said, you needn't worry. little
daughter" But her ears were deaf
You needn't give him up, I say. This
Will end all right"
Seeing that she gave no sign Of heed
ing, he stepped closer and swung her
about till she faced him.
Cant you trust me this one time?
You always have before, Necia. l say
he'll marry you, and 1t will come on
right"
She raised her hopeless eyes ant
strove ga,nely to meet him, then, fail
ing, broke away and turned back L
the door II knew you couldn't under
stand. LILO God, love him SOL
With a cry like that Of wounded AM
NAL she led out into the night. where
she could give vent to her anguish I'm
seen, for she had never wept before
her father, but always crept away ant
hid herself until her grief was spent
Gale would have started after her. bu'
Alluna dragged him back Hercely.
mo. no! 1t means your life. John
Let the secret die, and she will for
get She is so young. Time will cur'
her. Time cures everything Don
tell her. don't tell any one. and. abov'
Ill, don't tell that soldier. He woult
not believe. nor would she. Even
have doubted"
"Youw
"Yes, John. And. II l don't believe
what Is stranger to say? No mai
moving you would believe the tall
without proof. Suppose she d0atxed
Have you ever thought OF that? Woui'
you not rather have her die still Low