Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-05

hotel, and requested an interview with
Hope. Although still comparatively
early, some premonition Of evil had
awakened the girl, and in a very few
moments she was prepared TO receive
her visitor. A questioning glance into
his face was sufflcien to assure her OF
unpleasant news, but. with one quick
breath, she grasped his arm as though
his very presence afforded her
strength.
How tired you look! Something
has occurred to keep you out all night
--and-and know you have brou :
me bad news. Don't be afraid to Ceil
me; can bear anything better than
suspense. Is 1t about father?"
mo, Hope" and he took her hand.
and led her to chair. bending above
her he gave her the whole story of the
night, and she scarcely Interrupted
with a question, sitting there dry-eyed,
with only an occasional sob shaking
her slender form. AS he ended. she
looked up into his face, and now he
could see a mist of unshed tears in
her eyes.
What shall do. Captain Keith? I
am all alone with this, except for
you"
Il have considered that. Hope" he
answered gravely, land 1t seems to
me your present duty is more to tho
living than the dead. You should ro-
main here until we learn something
definite regarding your father. and
discover the truth Of this conspiracy
formed against him. If Fred could
know the trouble his chance words
have caused, he would wish you to DO
this. With him gone. We are going 10
find the unravelling harder than ever.
1t Is my judgment, Hope. your broth.
err should be buried here"
She shudderod, her hands pressed
to her eyes.
ooh, on that horrible Boots HIP"
only temporarily, little girl" his
voice full of deepest sympathy. in
& few weeks, perhaps, it could be re.
moved East"
She was silent for what seemed to
him long while; then she looked up
into his face. clinging to his arm.
Yes" she said, that will be best"
That same afternoon, the sun low
in the west, they placed the dead boy
in his shallow grave on Boots Hill
1t was a strange funeral. il strange
environment-all about the barren. de.
serted plains far away to the e25;
and west, the darker line marking tire
railroad grade. and just below. nestled
close In against the foot of the hill
/ the squalid town OF tents and shacks,
There were not many to stand beside
! the olen grave. for few in Sheridan
knew the lad, and funerals were not
uncommcn-some cronies, half-drunk
and maudlin, awed somewhat by the
presence of the marshal, Doctor Fair
balm, Keith and Hope. That was all
excepting the post chaplain from Fort
Hays, who. inspired by glimpse Of
the girls unveiled face, spoke simple
words of comfort 1t was all over
with quickly. and with the red sun
still lingering on the horizon, the little
party slowly wendell their way back
down the steep trail into the one long
street Of Sheridan.
! At the hotel Neb was waiting, the
whites Of his eyes shining with eX-
element, his patomime indicating i'm
portant news. AS soon as he could
leave Hope. Keith hurried down 10
interview his dusky satellite. who ap'
peared about to burst with restrained
"a
: that individual began to flow volubly:
81 sho' done seed EN-, Massa Jack;
I done seed EN- both"
Both? Both who?"
! "Massa Waite, sab an dat black
debble dat we was hunun' for. II
was mos surprisin' circumstance,
saba mos surprisin' circumstance.
We'll, go on where did you see
then? Do you mean they were to-
gether?"
The negro took a long breath, evil
IDENTITY overcome by the Importance Of
his message, ard unable TO coniure
UP words wholly satisfactory 70 his
ideas.
/ 1T sho am de strangest ting,
/ Massa Jack, ebber | prognoSticated,
+ was Jest comm roun' de corner Oh
Sheeny Joe's shebang, back dar by DO
blacksmith shop. when-de Lawd
save me.-yere come oil Massa Waite,
a ridin' long on a cream colo'd pinto
irst as much alibe as cNber he was.
cussin' he boss, when he done shy ut
4 man what got up sudden like fron
a cart wheel he was settin' on. &c
took one look at dat secon' fellar, and
seed 1t was dat black debble from
Gown Carson way. Den | ducked inta
de blacksmith chop out 'er sight |
eho didn't want Mister I1awley to git
NO chance at dis niger shO didn't"
Did they speak TO one another"
Keith asked, anxiously. Did you hear
what was said?"
"Sho dey talked, Massa Jack, ]
sorter reckon dey was dar for dat
special purpose. Sutt'nly, sab, dey
went right at talliin like dey had
som'ting on dey minds. or Massa
Waite was a sittin' straight up on do
boss, an dat black debble was a
Standin' dar in front OBJ him. or
Massa Waite he was mad from de
! first jump of. an | could heah most
eberyting he said. but MIR, Hawley
he grin de same way he do when he
deal faro. an speaks kinder low. De
Of man he swear fine at him, he call
him eberyt'ing-a damn liar damn