Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-08-11

rr t,c1E, ,--, the low doorway of the cabin
'ss) frs, saw the man as Ne topped the rise;
straight down the trail he came, eaping
bounding and swayiug unsteadly from
side to side Size dropped the pan of potatoes she
had been pairing; stood to her feet and watched
bewlderedly
It was wondrous, sun-flled afternoon. The
soft tumbling clouds went slipping away the
rhc-tippcd peaks; the noisy stream, below the
cabin fretted and dashed itself against tho rocks in
its path.
The came nearer and She saw now
that his face was no: unkindy; covered with thick.
siutby beard, and very thin His clothing was torn
lbs ha gone, ana his hair ragged and untempt, hung
about his Hester was afraid at first; somehow
nc never grew to be fearless IN the mountains al
though having lived here two years
She stepped back into the house and changed her
position from the door to the little. curtaincd win
dow She hoped he had not observed her. ,ta, he
would coni1rc his stumbling, headlong pace and
stop.
Bu' the had seen and when he finally reached
inc yard bounded by the neatly heaped rocks he
gasped heavil, and then like BIZ Of cloth crumped
abruptly to- the ground.
STE did not CRY ou:, although her little fingers
wenf hard ana cold to the back of the chair She
d'dn' seem to hear anything save the nonstrous
beating and humping Of her own heart; even
thouHH She shat her eyes tight, the silent crun,ped
henr' wa before her. hudded to the ground After
long space, when the made no effort to move.
she gathered what courage she could and stole fur
lively toward the door Such a grim. sinister silence
brooded everywhere
9h' stumbled softly over the step, and, as if a
s'N"a' "ld Dccn given, the recumbcnt figure before
ne eroaned and came stifly to elbow. She looked
at him dumbly, conscious that the color pounded
hereby to her checks and that her heart choked her
From the blank ncredulous expression, the mans
features relaxed and broke into long grim
WELL he said shortly, sitting up straight and
passing big brown hand across his face well
little woman-did--l brighten you eh'
She shook her head slowly. no. no--that is, yes
at first she stammcrcd, breathless The man
chuckIed and came unsteadily to his feet
81 don't wonder at it, he resumed, advancing to-
ward the cabin "You hcrc-alone:"
Again Hester shook her head "Yes-all alone
Dads down at camp" The stranger sighed easier
Il just come from there I don't know how eve
got here. Can | get somet1in' to eat? Awful hun
CRY; and I've got to go back there fore mornn'
Without word Hester turned into the cabin an
the mar followed behind. She set the table wit
white, nervous hands, while the intruder, huddc
n the corner. watched eagerly
When the table ready she fried him som
bacon and potatoes which she had saved again
her fathers lie drew up his chair and al
ravenosy. She poured him some coffee He LITE
he brinm'ng cup witt trembling fingers A shar
clattrr came drifting through the door The man
grip upoc the handle weakened and he cup crasht
to the floor. spilling the contents over the viii
cloth an6 hi; pants
"What. was that he burs, out lcapns from II
table, his face blanching, his fingers fumbling lie
vously at his revolver that swung easily at his hi
"What-was that noise, eh'
Hcst1: backed against the cabin wall, hands TO h
;ace-the mans actions frightened her When S
pokc her voice strangely of pitch.
"That's-hat's Flip-he's my pet chipn,unk.
ninks its dnner-t;me. II suppose always fe
lin at meal time
The man sank slowly to his chair, his lips S
Drawn and white. "I'm pretty shaky,' he vouch
"And-and I'm awful sorry | spilled the stuff
your clean spread His voice not unpleasi
she reasoned subconsciously
He ate for time in silence Hester came ay
from the wall and sat down stool before
doorway
"Got any horses?' the stranger began abruptly
"Yes-we got two here now. Dads got one
He looked vaguely out the door.
"Got to get back to camp tonight" he began, /
anconsciously, so it seemed. "Got to get back