Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-22
'You couldn't find no trace Of himi

"No trace whatever" Father Bar
nun replied. "but he will surely reach
some place Of refuge where we can
pick him up, for the days are still mild
and the woods full Of berries"
"I'll be on the lookout for him." said
the lieutenant grlmly.
When the voluble old priest had at
last exhausted his narrative he re-
qucsted of Burrell the privilege Of n
few words and drew him apart from
the others. His face was warm with
understanding.
II had Il long conversation with my
little girl. for she IS like daughter to
me. and I discovered the depth Of her
love for you. DO you love her rs much
as you should?'
"As much as can. They don't make
words or numbers big enough to tell
you how dear she Is to me-"
'Then why delay? Tomorrow leave
again. and one never knows what
day may bring forth"
"But Stark?' the young man cried.
Hes her father. you know. He's like
mailman, and she's still under age"
II know very little of law outside of
the church," the father observed; but,
as l understand it, If she marries be-
fore he forbids her the law will hold
him powerless. Now, he has never
made himself known to her. he has
never forbidden her anything, and, al
though my conclusion may not be cor
rect, believe 1t is, and you have n
chance II you make haste. At your
age, my boy, never needed spur"
"A spur? Good Lord! I'm from
kentucky"
"Once size is yours before God your
hold will be stronger in the eyes Of
men. If l I'm wrong and he takes her
from you-well. may some other priest
rewed you two. 1 shan't."
Don't worry" laughed Burrell
ablaze at the thought. You're the
only preacher who'll kiss my bride,
for I'm jealous man. and all the
Starks and all the fathers in the world
won't get her away from me. Do you
think she'll do TT"
"a woman in love will do anything"
Burre!l seized the little man by the
hand IF had known more law you
needn't have given me this hint"
Together they went into the traders
house.
Back In the store there was silence
after the priest and the soldier went
out, which Gale broke at last:
This forgiveness talk is all right, l
suppose. but l want Runnion."
"We'll git him, too" growled Lee, at
which Poleon uttered curt excla ma.
ton:
MOI.
"Why not" said the miner.
"Waal." the Canadian dra wled slow.
~. then paused to light the cigarette
he had rolled in bit Of wrapping pa
per. inhaled the smoke deeply to the
bottom Of his lungs. held it there 4
moment and blew 1t out through mouth
and nostrils before adding, you'll JUS
be wastin' tam"
Gale looked up from beneath his
thntch Of brow and asked quietly:
"Why?"
"You member story tol' you wan
day two, tree mont ago" Poleon re.
marked, with apparent evasion, "'bout
Johnny Plat wat ketch on de Por-
cupine all ct up by skeeter bugs?"
81 do" answered Gale.
"Wna"-he met their eyes square.
ly. then drew another long breath
from his garctte-"I'm Jus hopin
nobody don pick it up dis Runnlon
Teller de same way. Mebbe dey fin
bees hans tie benin i'm wit piece OF
hees shirt"
Good Godw cried the trader. start
ing TO his feet. "You-you'-
"Of course I'm JUS s'posin'. He was
feel purity good wen l lef'. He was
feel SO good l TAX hees coat for keep
in off dem bugs from me. because
lef' 1t my own shirt on de canoe. ue'S
nice Teller dat way. He give up easy
Ba gosh, l never see worse place fol-
skeeters!"
Gale fell silent, and mo Creek" Let
began to swear in little, useless. inef
fective oaths. which were but two
ways of showing similar emotions
Then the former stepped up and lait
q big hand upon Poleon's shoulder.
THAT saves us quite trip" he said
Father Barnum found the three still
talking in the store when he had fin
lshed an hours counsel with Necia, 81
came straight to the poilA 1t wa!
work that delighted his soul, for HI
loved the girl and had formed stron:
admiration for Burrell.
The priest returned to Necia afte
giving directions about the wedding
leaving the trader and Poleon alone.
II s'pose It's best" said the former
eyes"
"Beats the deuce, though. how
things work out, don't IT."
I'm glad for see dis day." said tn
Frenchman. Hes good man. an b.
ain never goin' to hurt her none.
He paused. "Dere's JUS wan ting
want for ask 1t Of you. John. Yo1
member dat day we stop on de bircl
grove an you spik bout her an tol
me dose story bout her moder. Waa
l was dreamin' dat tam. so I'm goin
ask 1t you now don never tell he
: wat said"
doesn't she know, my boy?"
} mo. ! ain never spoke bout love
She thinks I'm broder wit her. an
OATS wat l am. ba gar" He coul
not hold his voice event. broke wit
him-but he avoided the old man