Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-16
CHAPTER XXX.
A mic:niui1t Visit,


Cloud and Whispering Smith had gone,
and Marion was locking Zip the house
for the night, when she was halted by
knock at the shop door. 1t was
summons that she thought she knew,
but the last in the world that she wanted
10 hear or to answer. Dicksie had
gone to the bedroom. and standing
between the portieres mat curtained
the worliroom from the shop, Marion
In the half-light listened, hesitating
whether to ignore or to answer the
midnight intruder. But experience,
and bitter experience, had taught her
There vas only one way to meet that
particular summons, and that was to
act, whether at noon or ct midnight,
without fear. She waited until the
knocking had been twice repeated.
turned up the light, and going to tho
door drew the bolt; Sinclair stood be-
fore her, and she drew back for him
to enter "Dicksie Dunning Is with
me tonight" said Marion, with her
hand on the latch, and we shall have
to talk here
Sinclair took off his hat Il knew
you had company" he returned in the
low, gentle tone that Marion knew
very well, so | came late. And
heard tonight, for the first time. that
this railroad crowd is after me-God
knows why; but they have to earn
their salary somehow. want 70 keep
out Of trouble If can. won't kill
anybody II they don't force me to It.
They've scared nearly all my men
away from the ranch already; one
crippled-up cowboy is ali have got
TO help me look after the cattle. But
l won't quarrel with them. Marion, il
] can get away from here peaceably,
so I've come to talk it over once more
with you I'm going away and | want
you to go with me: I've got enough to
keep us as well as the best of them
and as long as we live. You've given
me good lesson, needed IL,
grille"
Don't call me that"
He laughed kindly why, that's
what 1t used to be; that's what
want 1t TO he again. don't blame
you. You're worth all the women
ever knew, Marion. I've learned to
appreciate some few things In the
lonely months I've spent up on the
Frenchman but I've felt while ! was
there as II were working for both OF
US. I've got buyer in sight now fol-
The cattle and the land. I'm ready tc
clean up and say good,by to trouble
all want is for you to give me the
one chance I've asked for and &C
along"
They stood facing each other under
the dim light. She listened intently
to every word, though in her terror
She might not have heard or under
stood all of them. One thing she die
very clearly understand, and that wal
why he had come and what he wanted
To that she held her mind tenaciousiy
and for that she shaped her answer
u cannot go with you-now or ever.
He waited a moment. I'VE Away
got along, Marion, when behaved my
self"
Il hope you always will behave
yourself; but | could no more go witt
you than | could make myself agail
what ! was years ago. Murray. ! wis
you nothing but good; but our way
parted long ago"
"Stop and think minute, Marion
offer you more and offer 1t NOR
honestly than | ever offered it before
because l know myself better. ! an
alone In the wOrld-strong, and bette
able to care for you than l was whe
| undertook to-"
~ have never complained"
That's what makes me more ana
lous to show you now that can an
will do what's right"
ooh, you multiply words! 1t Is to
late for you to be here. You are 1
danger. you say; for the love c
heaven, leave me and go away"
You know me. Marion, when m
mind is made up, won't leave Will
ont you" He leaned with one han
against the ribbon showcase, ~ 20
don't want to go will stay right her
end pay off the scores | owe. Tw
men here have stirred this country u
too long, anyway. | don't care niue
h>v soon anybody gets me after