Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-09-21

done up wild the hard ride? Here,
honey, sit down in the rocker till OF
get We a wee drink. tn bring the
roses back to the cheeks av ye." She
was gone, busting down the dark
stairs. and the two were alone in the
room, the girl looking up into his face.
her head resting against the cushion.
ed back OF the chair. He thought he
saw n glimmer of tears in the depths
OF her lash.shaded eyes, and her
round white throat seemed to choke.
you will be perfectly secure here"
he said, soothingly, and can remain
as long as you please. Mrs. Murphy
will guard you as though you were her
own daughter She Is bit rough,
maybe. but a big-hearted woman. and
despises Hawley. She nursed me
once through a touch Of typhod-yes,
by Jove," glancing about in sudden
recognition, land In this very ROOM
too"
The girls glance wandered over the
plain, neat furnishings, and the rather
pathetic attempts at decoration, yet
with apparently no thought for them
"You-you have not told me where
you were going"
He laughed, little uneasily, as
though he preferred to make light Of
the whole matter.
Really, have hardly decided, the
world is so wide. and I had no reason
to suppose you interested"
But am interested" resenting his
tone Of assumed indifference. Il
would not want to feel that our &C.
ouaintance was to wholly end now"
DO you really mean that?"
why should not? You have been
a real friend to me; shall remember
you always with q gratitude beyond
words. want you to know this, and
that-that shall ever wish to retain
that friendship"
Keith struggled with himself, doubt
full of what he had best say, swayed
by unfamiliar emotions.
You may be sure shall never for
get" he blurted forth. desperately.
and, II you really wish it, III certain
ly see you again"
Il do" earnestly.
Then. III surely find a way. don't
know now which direction we will
ride. but I'm not going very far until
l clear up that murder out yonder on
the trail; that is my particular job
just now"
Before she could answer, Mrs. Muir
ply re-entered and forced her to drink
the connection prepared, the girl &C.
cepting with smiling protest The land.
lady, empty glass In hand, swept her
eyes about the room.
"Bedad, but the place looks betther
than liver Ord behaved, wild the gyurl
Owe got tindin' to 1t. She's that
lazy she goes ter Shape swapin the
fure. Jack, would We moind hilpin'
me move the bid; shure, it's rale ma
hogany, an SO heavy 1t breaks me
back intoirely to push 1t round"
He took hold willingly enough. and
the two together ran the heavy con.
trivance across the room to the posi-.
ton selected, Once leg caught in
the rag carpet and Keith lifted it out,
bending low to get flrmer grip. Then
: he held out his hand to the girl.
1T is not going to be good bye then,
Miss Hope; I'll find you"
She smiled up into his eyes, much
OF the WEAKNESS gone from her face.
Il am going to believe that" she au-
swered. gladly, because want to-"
Mrs. Murphy fingered until his steps
sounded on the stairs as he slowly
felt his way down through the dark.
ness.
He do be a moighty foine bye Jack
Keith" she said, apparently address,
ing the side wall. "Oi wish Ord a
knowed him whin OF was gyurl;
shure, it's not Murphy me noimed be
now, Dim t'inkin'"
Left alone. the girl bowed her head
on her hands, hot tear stealing down
through her fingers AS she glanced
up again. something that glittered on
the floor beside the bed caught her
eyes. She stopped and picked it up
holding the trnket to the light. star
ing at 1t as though fascinated, 1t was
the locket Keith had taken from the
neck of tho dead man at Cimmaron
Crossing. Her nerveless fingers press
cd the spring. and the painted face
within looked up into her own, and
still clasDing 1t within her hand, She
sank upon her knees. burying her face
on the bed
Where did he get that" her ljps
kept repeating. Where did he eveI
get that"