Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-15

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"Whot are you doing here, Mr.. Run
! nion?"
rash resolve to wrench the oars out
of his hands and made quick motion
toward him, at which he shouted:
"Sit down. Do you want to upset
US"
The unstable craft lurched and dip
ped dangerously, and, realizing the fu.
tillty oc her mad impulse, she sank
back on her knees
stark told me to board the first boat
for st. Michael's," he said, but I've
made few plans Of my own the last
hour or so.''
"St. MichaePs. Mr.. Stark told YOU
why, that's impossible! You misun.
derstood him. He told you to row me
to the mission. I'm going to Father
Barnum's house"
mo, you're not, and l didn't misun-
derstand him. He wants to get you
outside. all right, but reckon you'd
rather go as Mrs. Runnion than as the
sweetheart Of Ben Stark"
Are you crazy" the girl cried. "Mr.
Stark kindly offered to help me reach
the father at his mission. I'm nothing
to him. and I'm certainly not going to
be anything to you. II I'd known you
were going to row the boat should
have stayed Mt home, because I detest
you"
He rested again on his oars and said,
with deliberations:
STARK kindly offered did he? Well,
whenever Ben Stark kindly offers
anything I'm in on the play. Fe's
had his eye on you for the last three
months, and he wants you, but he
slipped cog when he gave me the
oars. You needn't be afraid, though.
I'm going to do the square thing by
you. Well stop in at the mission and
be married. and then we'll see whether
we want to go to st. Michael's or not.
though personally I'm for going back
to Flambeau."
The girls beauty. her indifference.
the mistaken attitude Of Stark. urged
him, and, strongest of all, ne was
drawn by his cupidity, for she would
be very rich. so the knowing ones said.
Doubtless that was why Stark wanted
her, and, being q man who acknowl-
edged no fidelity to his kind or his
Creator. Runnion determined to outwit
his principal, Doret, Burrell and all the
rest.
NIB <rnt a'v.t
thing she was. Nothing about her was
great save her soul, and that was Inn
lneasurably vexed and worried. She
had just lived through grief that had
made her generous. and now she gain
ed her FIRST knowledge Of the man.
animals gross sefshness.
you are absolutely daft" she said
"You can't force me to marry you"
II amt going to force you. You'll do
1t willingly"
"I'll die first. I'll call the first man
we see. III tell Father Barnum. and
he'll have you run out of the country.
1t would only take word from me-"
"If you haven't changed your mind
when we get to his place III run
through without stopping, but there
isn't another priest between there and
st. Mikes, and by the time we get to
the mouth Of the river l guess you'll
say Yes to most anything. However
I'd rather marry you at Holy Cross
If you'll consent. and I'm pretty sure
you will when you think it over"
I'VE won't discuss It,"
hn
tinued slowly. what will people say
when they know you ran away with
me"
I'm tell them the truth"
Huh! I'm too we'll known. No man
on the river would ever have you after
that"
"You-you"- Hcl voice was a-quiv-
er with indignation and loathing but
her lips could not frame an epithet
fit for him. lie continued rowing for
some time. then said:
'Will you marry meY
mo. II this thing is ever known
Poleon will kill you-or father"
For third time he rested on his
oars.
Now that we've come to threats let
me talk l offered to marry you and
do the square thing, but II you don't
want to III pass up the formality and
take you for my squaw, the same as
your father took Alluna. Just re.
member you're alone with me In the
heart Of wilderness, and you've got
to make q choice quick. because I'm
going ashore and make some break.
fast as soon as it's light enough to
choose a landing place. II you agree
to come quietly and 60 through with
this thing like sensible girl I'll do
what's right. but II you don't then Ill
do what's wrong. and maybe you won't
be SO ID anxious to tell your friends
about this trip or spread your story
up and down the river"
She saw Runnion gazing over bis
shoulder In search Of q shelving beach
or bar. They rounded bend where
the left bank crumbled before the I'M.
firing teeth Of the river. forming q
Oristling cheval-de- frise Of leaning.
fallen hrs awash In the current. The
short side Of the curve protected Q
rat made downstream TO- .