Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-08-19

dunes, hankei Doe, cdrrcnt broadly On
either side. Late IN the afternoon ri
the day that Dicksie Wi'h Marion
sought McCloud, storm driftcd down
the Topaz Topaz hills, and heavy
showers broke across the valley.
At nightfal the rain had passed and
the mist lifted from the river. Above
the bluffs rolling patches of cloud OBJ
scured the face of the moon, but the
distant thunder had ceased and at
midnight the valley near the bridge
lay In a stiffness broken only by the
hoarsc calls of the patrols and far.of
megaphones. From the bridge camp,
which lay on high ground near the
grade, the distant lamps of the track
walkers could be seen moving dmly.
Before the campfire in front of Nc
Clouds tent a group of men, smc. nS
and talking. sat or lay srrawlcd on
tarpaulins, drying themselves after the
long day. Among them were tho
woather.bcatcn remnants Of the old
guard of the mountain workers, men
who had fought the Spider Water
bering, awkward as bear ana as
shifty. was talking. because with no
apparent effort he could talk all night
and was n valuable man AT keeping
the camp awake. Eli Dancing talked
and. after Sinclair's name had been
dropped from the roll, ate and drank
more than any two men on the Iii
J.;- frf
on leather caboose cushion trying to
get nap.
The man sent 10 the bridge had
turned back, and behind his lantern
Dancing heard the tread Of horses. He
stood at one side of the campfire
while the visitors rode Zip; they We're
women. Dancing stood dumb as they
advanced into the freight. The one
ahead spoke. Mr. Dancing, don't
you know me?' AS she stopped her
horse the light OF the fire struck her
face Why, Mis- Sinclair"
Yes. and Miss Dunning is with
me- returned Marion. Bill staggered
This Is an awful place to got to- We
have been nearly drowned. and We
want to see Mr.. McCloud.'
McCloud, reused by Marion's voice
came forward. You were asleep
said she as ne greeted her. 81 am sc
sorry we have disturbed you!" She
looked careworn and little forlorn
yet but little considering the strug
gle she and Diclisie had made to reach
the camp.
Light hazcd from the campfire
where Dicksio stood talking with Dan
cling about horses.
They are in desperate straits up a
the ranch" Marion went on. when Nc
Cloud had assured her Of her welcome
Il don't see how they can save it. The
river Is starting TO flow into the oil,
channel and there's a big pond RICH
In the alfalfa fields"
1T will play the deuce with thing
II 1t gets through there" unused Nc
Cloud. Il wonder how the river is
I've been asleep. Bill" he Gale,
to Dancing. what water have 20,
got?"
Twenty eight six just now, sil
She's arising very, very slow, Mr.. Nc
Cloud"
80 am responsible for this in
vasion," continued Marion calmly
i've been mp with DicEsie at the
ranch; she sent for me. Just think o
it-no woman but Ola Puss within ter
miles of the poor child And they
have been trying everywhere TO ge
bags, and YOU have all the bags. 0nc
the mon have been buzzing arounC
over there for week like humble
bees and GCins just about as nucl
good. She and talked il all over thi
afternoon. and | told her | was com
ing over here to see you, and ~
started out together-ard mercifu
goodness, such time as we hay'
had
But you started out together
where did you leave here"
There she stands The other side o
the fire. o Dicksie.'
Why did you not tell nc she wa
here" exclaimed McCloul.
Dicksie came into the light a h
FASTENED over. If she was uncertai
In manner. he was not. He met hcl
laughing just enough to relieve II
tension OF which both for an iustan
were conscious. She gave him he
hand when he put his out. though h
felt that it tremhled little. such
ride as You have had, Why did 70
not send me word would hay
come to you!" he exclaimed. THROWN