Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-01

her that he had been approached by
he held for her. 1t would prove an III
expensive way to develop her holdings
he said. and she would run no risks.
Moreover, it would he rapid and insure
quick return, for q lease so near to
proved territory was III great demand.
After some discussion this was ar
ranged, and Meade as trustee allotted
her ground In tracts, rs Lee had done.
poleon followed suit, but the trader
chose to prospect his own claims and
to that end called in a train Of stir
backed Indian packers, moved a sub
etcItial outfit to the creek and there
nttcr spent much Of his time In the
hills, leaving the store to Doret. He
seemed anxious 10 get away from the
camp and hide himself in the woods.
Stark was almost constantly occupied
at his saloon, fer 1t was Il mint and
ran day and night. Runnion was busy
with The erection of substantial
structure Of squared logs, larger than
the trading post, destined as dance
hall, theater and gambling house.
Burrcll entered into a season of pen
eucc and 1agellation OF spirit. lisAt-
ened only by the moments when lie
was with Necia and when she made
him forget all else. This damnablc in
decision goaded him to self contsmpt.
He despised himself for hi weakness.
His social Instincts and training bis
sense OF duty and the amenities Of life
that proud men hold dear turgod
steadily, untiringly at his reason,
while the little imp OF impulse sat
grinning wickedly, ready to pop cut
and upset all his high resolutions.
1t was on q heavenly day, spiccd
with the faintegt hint Of autu.an, that
Necia received the news Of her good
fortune. one CT her luasers came into
the post to show her and Poleon bag
of dust lie and his partner had
found The pay streak finally, and he
had come to notify her that # gave
promise OF being very rich, and now
that IT'S location was demonstrated no
doubt the other "laymen" would have
| It within n fortnight. AS I'll or them
We're ready to begin slCiC!ng a3 soon
as the grourd could be stripped, un-
dcuhledly they would he able 10 take
out a substantial stake before winter
settled and the first frost closed them
down.
She took the news quietly, but with
fhlnipS eyes, though her pleasure was
no greater or more genuine than Po-
! Icons, who Graspcd both her hands in
his and shouted glccfuly:
"Pieu, Pm glad! You'll be richie
gal for sure now an wear plaintec fine
dress la; ! fetch you, Jus fink, YOU
fin ger On your place moro quoecker
dan your faler, an he's good miner
too, Ha, OATS bully"
"Oh, well, they will find it on your
claims very soon,' she replied.
He shook his head. You better
knock wood wen you say dat. Mebbc
7 draw de blank again. Nobody can't
tell I've do dc sam ting before, an
dose mon wat been workin my groun
deyrc gettin' purity blue"
"When you do become a Flambcau
king" she continued, what will 70,
do with Yourself? Surely you wont
continue that search for your far coun
try. 1t could never be so beautiful a,
this" she pointed to the river tina
never changed and yet was never Tho
same and to the forests, SLIGHTLY tlngct
with the signs of the coming season.
cts very fine" agreed the Canadian
81 don see wy anybody would car
for lvln' on dem cities wen deres S,
much nice place outside"
YES" said Necia, I've no doubt on
would get tired of it soon and long 70
something to do and something reall
worth while. but ! should like 60 tr,
II once and ! shall ms soon as I'm gscl
enough. Won't you come along?"
~ dom know" he said thouRhtfully
"Mebbc SO ! stay here, mebbe SO ! taxi
= my canoe an 90 away. Tor long tan