Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-16

-. IL b
sling. half turn
mo lo' ''"'" ""' cd and. leaving
.u"Iu' 49,. w" Il trail Of sparks
like the tail Of
rocket behind 1t. plunged heavily
over the rim of the bluff into the river
A moment later the deep black wa
ters Of "thc hole" had closed above
the mass of sentient steel. The swift
current had smoothcd away every
trace Of the strange monster 1t had en-
quilted, and there by the side Of the
track, huddled against the broken sig
nal post, his clothing pastcred with
mud and CRIME, mot!onless and with
a nasty cut on TIE temple. lay Harry
Sandcrson.
long, saturat,g peace, deep and
drenching darkness. had folded him.
Duly at first. at length more insistent-
ly and sharply, rhythmic pulsing
sound began to annoy the quietude.
K-track. k-track, k-track-it grew loud
err; 1t grew more momentous and ma.
terial; it irritated the calm that had
wrapped the animate universe. AS
though from an Unreasonable distance
he heard n low, continuous roar and
now and again through the roar nearer
voices.
Harry awoke. His mind awoke, but
his eyes did not open at once. for the
gentle swaying that Graded him was
pleasant. and the mufiled clack and
hum soothed him like opium. He open
ed his eyes. 1t was daylight. He was
lying on dusty boards that ratified and
vibrated beneath him, the floor of an
empty freight car In motion. A small
brown dog. an abject, muddied and
shivering morsel, was snuggled close to
his side. 1t whned as If with joy to
see his eyes opened and Its stubby tail
beat the floor.
Harry turned his head. Two men in
dingy garments were seated on the
floor little distance away thumbing
decrepit pack Of cards over an empty
box. He could see both side faces. one
weather beaten and good humored. the
other crafty-knights of the road
The sudden movement had sent IL
momcntary twinge to his temple. lie
put up his hand. 1t touched n coarse
handk erchef that had been bound
tightly about 1t. The corner hung down.
1t was soiled and stiff with blood.
What was he doing there! Where was
he? Who was he:
1t came to him with start that he
actually fDr the moment did not know
who he was-that he had ridiculousy
slipped the leash Of his identity. He
smiled at his predicament. He would
lie quietly for few moments, and 1t
would come. OF course it would come!
Yet 1t did pot come though be lay
many moments. the fingers OF his mind
fumbling for the latch of the closed
door. He lad walked perfectly well.
all save the slight cut on his temple.
and that was clearly superficial, IL
mere scratch. Not trouble or ankle
ty married his soul His mind was as
clear and light as a larks Body and
brain together felt as If they had never
had a serious ache In the world. Hut
all that had preceded his awakening
was gone from him as completely as
though 1t had had no existence.
Stealthily he rose to sitting posture
and, with frown Of humorous per-
plexity. took a swift and silent in
veutory. lie scanned his clothing. His
coat was threadbare and, with mud
oil and coal dust, was in a more dis
reputable state. His wristbands were
grlmy. and one cufTlnk had been torn
away. he had no hat.
He bethought himself OF his pockets
| and went through them methodically
ore by one. They yielded several dol
+ lars In coin. penknife and tiny gold
gross, but not letter. not scrap Of
paper. nothing TO serve him. The
CLEAN Of ring on his finger caught
his eye. He rubbed away the dirt and
+ carefully examined It, wondering "
, the stone was real His hand was
slightly cut and swollen and the circlet
would not come off. but by shifting It
slightly he could see the white depres-
, sion made by long wear. The setting
. was an odd one, formed Of the twisted
a letters n. s. Those naturally should
+ DO his initials, but there he stopped.
< He repeated to himself all the names
he could think of. beginning with S,
p but they told him nothing.
:. He looked himself over again care
!. fully. reHcctively. lie put out his hand
s ana laid 1t on the spaniel's head.
d Its rough tongue licked his fingers
1t held up ono fore paw mutcly and
lamoly. He drew tho feverish. dirty
little creature into his lap ana exam
lned the limp member 1t was broken
Poor little bcggarl' said he undol
his breath. 80 you've boon knocked
out tool" With his knife he cut piOcs
from the lining Of his coat and with Z
splinter of wood from the floor he se
the fractured bone and wrapped thu
% leg tightly. Tho dog submitted with
.. out q whimper, and when he set
q. down It lay quietly beside him watch
"A Ing him with affectionate canine solici
:. tude.
Il wonder who we are, You and !!
- nuttcred Harry eandersau whimsical