Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-08

OF THE NECK.
that doesn't succeed then III take pos.
session again"
\ mile further on they drew up be-
for2 white pile surrounded By dim
~ discerned Greek cross. but their sig.
nails awakened no response.
Gone"
They wasted no WORDS when, for the
fourth time their eyes caught the wei.
come sight of Il shining radiance in
tn gloom.
"Unhitch," ordered Emerson logged
IL u.s. he began to unite the ropes ~
tho sled. He shouldered the sleeping
bags and made toward The light that
filtered through the crustcd windows.
followed by Fraser similarly burdcnpd.
But a thay approached they saw NJ
once that this was no cannnry; 1t look.
cd moro like a roadhousF or trading
post Hchiud and connected with it
by Il covered hall or paa>agcway
crouchcl another squat building of the
SAN" character. its roof piled thick
, with a mass of snow, its windows
glowing.
They mounted the steps Of the nigh
building and without knocking flung
the door open. "nicring. With sharp
exclamation at Indian woman regard
ed them round eyed.
Were all right This time" observed
Emerson. IT'S n store" Then to the
woman he said briefly. I'VE want Il
bed and something to cat"
On every sid" the vaN we're shelved
with merchandise Willie the counter
carried Il supply of clothing and skins.
"Whnt you WANT demanded the
sqliaw.
Boyd and Fraser. divesting them
selves of their furs. noticed that she
was little more than a girl-a native
undoubtedly.
Food. Sleep" Boyd replied
You can't stop here" the girl as
serted firmly.
'Oh. yes. we can" said Emerson
The sQuaw called. "Constanlinew
The tall figure of n man emerged. ad-
vancing swiftly.
1t was the copper huod native who
had rescued them from the river ear.
lier in the day. The Indian girl broke
into a torrent of excited volubility.
You no stop here" said Constan-
tine. Making toward the outer door.
he flung il open.
"We've come long way and we're
tired" Emerson argued I!c faced the
Indian with his back to the stove, his
voice taking on a determined NOTE
I'VE won't leave here until we are
ready Now tell your 'hiootch to get
us some supper Quick"
A soft voice from the rear Of the
room halted the advancing Indian.
constantine" it said,
The travellers whired to see. stand
ing out in relief against the darkness
of the passage whence the Indian had
just come = few seconds before. the
golden haired girl OF the storm to
whom they had been indebted for their
rescue. She advanced. smiling pleas
antly.
"Thcse lnen no stop here" cried Con
stantiue violently.
"I-l-beg pardon" began Emerson.
I'VE didn't intend to take forcible pos
session. bnt we're played out-wc've
leen denied shelter every here--wc
f+lt ucsperate"-
She addressed the Indian girl In
Aleut aud signalcd 10 Constantine. at
which the two natives retired
Were glad OF an opportunity to
thank you for your tir1e'y service this
afternoon" said Emerson
"Oh. thar was nothing. I've been ex-
| pecting yon hourly. You see. COnstan-
/ tines lntle bother has the iuea-! a,
and hHd 10 get to hiu before the na-
tives could give the poor little fellow
n Russian bath and then stand him out
In the snow. They have only enc
treatment for all Diseases
IF our--er-fa;hcr"-- The girl
shook her head.
Then your husband-I should like to
arrange with him to hire lodgings for
& few days. The matter Of meney"-
Again she came to his rescue.
Il am the man of the house. I'm
boss here. You are quite welcome to
stay as long as you wish. Constantine
objects to my hospitality and treats all
strangers alike. fearing they may bo
company men"
/ "Wc throwed Swcdc out on his
neck" declared Fraser, swelling with
conscious importance, ''nnd ! guess
he's Grabbed us with the other square
heads"
"Oh. no! They have instructions not
TO hnrbor any travellers IT'S as much
rs his Job IS worth for any OF them to
entertain you. Now. won't you mako
yourselves at home while Constantine
attends to your dogs? Dinner will
soon he ready"
He murmured "GiaGly" aud then
lost himself IN wonder at this we'll
gowned gi;, living amid such surround
ings. Undcriably pretty, graceful in
her movement. bearing herself with
certainty and poise, who was she?
Where did she come from? And what
in the world was she doing here?
lie became aware TINT "Flpgerless"
Fraser was making tho introductions.
This Is Mr.. Emerson. My name Is
French. I'm one OF the Virginia
Trenches. you know. Perhaps you
have heard Of them. No? Well. they're
the real thing"
Emerson forcstallod her ncl:nowl-
edgemcnt by breaking In roughly:
Ills name isn't French at all.