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

that I see in my dreams. They never
have my visions Of the beautiful snow
white mother with the tender moutV
and The sad eyes that always smile at
me-"
you have visions Of such things,
ehY
Eyes, but I came generation late.
that's oil. and I've got that other wo-
mans soul. I'm not half breed. Tn
not me at all. I'm Merridy-Merridy!
That's who am"
Her face was turned away from him,
SO that she did not notice the frightful
effect her words had upon Stark.
"Where did you get-that name"
His voice was pitched in a different
key now. Then after moment he
added. From the story told you at
the mine that night. suppose?"
"Oh, no." she answered. 1--WE NJ
ways had 1t, though they call me Ne
cia Merridy was my fathers mother.
guess I'm like her in many ways. for
I often Imagine she is part Of me,
that her spirit is mine. It's the only
way l can account for the sights !
soc,"
"Your fathers motherr' ne said me-.
chanically. That's queer" He seem.
cd to be trying to shake himself free
from something. TITS heredity, l sup
pose. You have visions Of white wo-
man. woman named Merridy, eh?"
Suddenly his manner changed. and he
, spoke so roughly that she looked at
him in vague alarm.
How do you know? How do you
know she was his mother;"
"IIe told me So"
Stark snarled "Hc liedw
II can show you her wedding ring.
| I've always worn it, She fumbled for
| the chain about her neck, bat it eluded
| her trembling fingers. ut has her
name in it-'From Dan to Merridy.'"
Stark's hand darted forward and tore
the thing from her shoulders. Then he
| thrust It under the lamp and glared at
the inscription, willie his fingers shook
SO that he could barely distinguish the
words. His eyes were blazing and his
face livid.
Necia cried out, but he dropped the
ornament and seized her fiercely, lift
ing her from the chair to her feet
Then with one swift. downward clutch
he laid hold Of her dress at the left
shoulder and ripped it half to her
waist. A hoarse sound came from his
throat. cry half Of Amusement, half
Of triumph
| LET me 60. Let me co. She strug-
gled TO free herself, but he held her In
a viselike grip. while he peered closely
at blemish well down upon her back
Then he let her slip from his grasp
and, seized with terror, she staggered
AWAY from him. He was leaning heav
lily with both hands upon the table. his
thin lips grinning his whole manner
30 terrifying that she shrank back
She turned and made for the door
whereupon he Strengthened up and said
In a queer, commanding voice:
wait. Don't 60. I--1-you"- n,
licked his lips as if they were dus
dry, passed an uncertain hand across
his beaded brow and. raising the va
ter pail beside the door to his mouth
drank heavily in great, noisy gups.
Let me out Of here" the girl de
manded imperiousy.
Don't be scared" he said. more
quietly now. you must excuse me
You-you gave me an awful fright
Yes, that was II. Don't worry
didn't mean any harm"
you hurt my shoulder" she said
almost ready to cry. And you tore
my dress" she added angrily-"my fine
dress. Are you crazy"
"You see, It's like this-that name o
Merr:dy and that ring-well, the whole
thing was so startling IL went OF
my head. 1t came sudden. and
thought-it don't matter what
thought, but I'm sorry. III apologize
and III get you whole lot Of dresse
If you like"
His first impulse had been to tell he
everything, but his amazement hn
rendered him speechless. and now h
was thankful for it. Care must be eS
ercised. She must not learn too much
for If she suspected the truth sh
would go to her soldier lover at once
and no power on earth could hold he
back. That would block the vengt
ance that he saw shaping in the dan
recesses Of his distorted brain.
First, and above all he must get tn
girl away from Flambeau.
These last few moments had drive
Necia's own worries from her mind
but he was bent on recalling them mn
SO continued cautiously:
"You were saying that you though
you'd go away. l think that's goo'
plan, and you'd be wise to do It 70