Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-08-26
Copyright. 1900. by Ghas. Sc-ibners
CHAPTER XXI.

uoet him. lOur cousin insisted
Should come up to the house for some
supper" said McClond, dryly. Il
could have taken camp fare with
the men. Gordon stayed there with
him"
Dioksie held his hat In her hand.
and her eyes were bright in the fire
light. Puss must have thought the
two made handsome couple, for she
fingered. as she started for the kitch-
en-. to look back
"Puss," exclaimed her mistress. FRY
q chicken right away. A big one.
Puss! Mr.. McCloud is very hungry,
know And be quick. do. Oh, how Is
the river. Mr.. McCloud?"
Behaving like a lamb. It hasn't
fallen much, but the pressure seems
to be of the bank. II you know what
that mcans?"
You must be n magician. Things
changed the minute you cau,c."
Tho last doctor usually gets credit
for the cure, you know
"Oh. I know all about that. Don't
you want to frcshch up Should You
mind coming right to my room Mari
on Is in hers" explained Dicksie and
! am never sure Of Cousin Lanco's--
he has so many boots"
When she had disposed of McCloud
she flew to the kitchen. Puss was
starting after n chicken Take n
lantern. Pnss whispered Dicks;c. We
hemently.
NO, indeed dis Niger don need
no lantern TO- chickens, Miss Dicksie"
But get a good one. Puss, and make
haste, do! Mr. McCloud must be
starved! Where is the baking pow
der? III get the biscuits started"
Puss turned fiercely. Now look a
heah, yo' can't make biscuits. Yo'
3es' 90 Sc down wifi dat young
genm'n! Jes' femme lone. Of yo'
please! Dis amt de frs time |
killed chickens. Miss Dicksie, an
made biscuits. Jes' clair out an Sc
down! Place f'r young ladies' is in de
parlor! or Puss can cook supper
f'r one man yet-ef she has to-
"Oh. yes. Puss, certainly, I know. OF
course; only, get nice chicken" and
with the parting admonition Diclssie
smoothing her hair wildly, FASTENED
back to the living ROOM
But the harm was done Puss. more
excited than her mistress, lost her
head when she got to the chicken-yard
and With sufficiently bad results. When
Dlcksie ran out few moments after
ward for glass of water for Nc
Cloud, Puss was calmly wiping her
hands, and In the sink lay the culver
Ing form Of young Caesar. Dicksie
caught her favorite up by the legs ant
suppressed cry. There could be nc
mistake. She cast a burning look or
Puss. II would do no good to storm
now. Dicksie only wrung her hands
and returned TO McCloud.
He rose In the happiest mood. He
could not see what a torment Dicksie
vas in. and took the water withuul
asking himself why 1t trelnblod in hci
hand Her restrained manrcr did not
worry him, for he felt that his fight al
the river was won, and tho prospect
Of fried chicken composed him. Ever
the long hour before Puss. calm and
inviting In white cap and apron, ap
peAred to announce supper passed
ike dream When Dicksic rose ia
lead the way to the dining room. Nc
Cloud walked on air; the high color
about her eyes Intoxicated him. Not
till half the fried chicken. with n.anv
compliments from McCloud. had disap,
peared and the plate had gone ont for
UANnnd
Otcksie's abstraction.
I'm sure you need worry no longer
about the water" he observed, reas.
surinsly. Il think the worst of the
sanger is past"
Dicksie looked at the tahlccloth
with vide'open eyes. Il feel sure that
II Is. am no longer worrying about
that"
TITS nothing can do or leave IN
done, is IT." asked McCloud. laughing
little as he implied in his tone that
she must be worrying about some
thing.
Dicksic made a gesture OF alarm
sOh. no. no; nothing."
IT'S a pretty good plan not to
worry about anything"
10 you think so!"
why. We oil thought so last night
Hesvens!" McCloud drew back In hi
chair. II never offered you q piece o
chicken! What have been think
ing OF"
"oh, wouldn't eat It anyway.
cried Dicksie.
You wouldn't? It Is delicious D
have a plate and wing at least"
Really. could not bear to think @
t." she said. pathetically
He spoke lower. Something I
troubling you. I have no right to
confidence. know" no added, takin
. biscuit.
Her eyes fell to the floor. 1T
nothing. Pray. don't mind me. Ma
oil your cup!" she asked, lookin
sp. Il am afraid worry too niue
over what has happened and can't b
helped. Do you never do that"
MoCloud. laughing wretchedly. tor
Caesars last leg from his body. "N'
indeed. mover worry over what can
b helped"
They left the dining room. Mario
came down. But they had hardl
seated themselves before the livin
room hre when 4 messenger arrive
With word that McCloud was wante
q the river. His chagrin At bein
. ~