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

pineSS naO driven out or her Eden.
All Mt once she saw the wrong that
had been done her and realized from
this brute's Insult that those early
fears had been we'll grounded. It sud.
denly occurred to her that in all the
hours she had spent with her lover.
IN all those unspeaksbly sweet and
intimate hours, there had never been
one word Of marriage. He had looked
into her eyes and vowed he could not
live without her, and yet he had never
said the words he should have said,
the words that would bind hor to him.
His arms and his lips had comforted
her and stilled her fears; but, after all,
he had merely made love. A cold fear
crept over the girl. She recalled tho
old corporal's words Of few weeks
ago. and hes conversation with Stark
came back to her What If It were
true-that which Runnlon implied?
What II he did not intend to ask her,
after all? What If he had only been
amusing himself? She cried out sharp.
~ at this, and when Doret staggered
IN beneath q great load Of skins he
found her IN strange excitement
When he had finished his accounting
with the Indian and dismissed him
she turned an agitatcd face to the
Frenchlnan.
"Polcon," she said, I'm In trouble.
oh, I'm In such awful troube!'
cts dat Eunnion. I seen i'm pass
on de store vile I'm down below"
IIis brows knit in Il black scowl, and
his voice slid of a pitch in tone.
"N'at he say, CHI"
"No, no; its rot that. lie paid me
great compliment" She laughed
harshly "Why. he asked me to marry
him" The man beside her cursed at
this, but she continued: Don't blame
him for liking me. I'm the only wo-
man for 800 miles nround-or I was
until this crowd came-so how could
he help himself? No; he merely
showed me what fool I've been"
II guess you better tell me all bout
dis ting said Poleon gravely. You
know I'm oil tam ready for help you,
Necia. Wen you was little teller an
got bust your finger You run to me
| queeck. an feex It,"
Eyes, know. dear Poleon," she as
scented gratefully. You've been a
brother TO me, and l need you now
more than I ever needed you before.
can't 20 to father. Ec wouldn't I'M
derstand, or else he would understand
too much and spoil it all, his temper is
-. IL. Nt,,
| Poleon, for Tn not. | may be foolish
and faithful and too trusting, but I'm
not-unmaidcnly. You see, I've never
been Ike other girls. and he WAS so
fine so different he made me love
| him. It's part OF soldiers training,
! suppose. II was so sweet TO be near
! him and TO hear him tell Of himself
and al! the world he knows. Just let
myself drift. I'm afrGid-Pm AFRAID l
listened too well and my ears heard
more than no said Ny head ia so full
of books. you know
He should have know dat. too -
said Poleon.
yes she tiared up. "He knew l
was only an Indian girl"
The only color In Dorets face lay
now In his cheeks. where the sun had
put It, but he smiled at her-his warm,
engaging smile-and laid his great
brown hand upon her shoulder softly.
1--WE look in bees eye an I'm al
ways tirk he's good man. ! don
never t'ink he'll MAX fun Of poor little
gal"
But he has, Poleon, That's just
what he hns done" She came near To
breaking down and finished pathetical-
ly. They're telling the story on the
street, SO l,unnion says"
bats easy ting for fecx,' he said
"Runulon she don spread no more
story lax dat"
Il don't care what they say. l want
the truth. | want to know what he
rleans, what his intentions are. He
t:wears he loves me, and yet he has
sever asked MO to marry him. He has
gone too far. He has made FOOL OF
Ge to amuse himself. and-and
couldn't see 1t until today. He's laugh
ing at me, Poleon: he's laughing at
me now! oh. l can't bear lt!'
The Frenchman took UP his wide hat
from tho counter and placed It care
fully upon his head. but she stopped
him ~ he moved toward the door, FOR
she read the meaning of tine glare in
his eyes.
wait till you understand-wait
say He hasn't done anything yet"
Oats dc trouble. I'm gOin' mali
i'm do somet'in"
mo, no. 1t isn't that. It's these
doubts that are killing me. I'm not
sure
II hear p.aintec," be said. "Dere'
no tam for monkey rour'."
II tell You he may be honest" sh
declared. "Hc may mean to MARI.
ne, but I've got to know. That's VIII.
came to You. That's what You mus
find cut for me"
I'm good tra1ar, Necia." said til
Canadian after a moment. "I'll max
bargain wit' you now. If he say We
he1l marry you ! don ask no more
but If he say no you geeve In to ne
Is 1t go?"
She hesitated, while he continue,
musingly, II dom see how no man OF
Ill dis worl' could lef' you co." the
: to her, "Waal, is it bargain?"
YES" she snid. the Indian bloo'
speaking now, 'but you must learn th
truth. There must be no mistake