Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-29


she could remain unseen and yet warn
the girl that u stranger was coming.
Elnora was under the bridge, one
knee planted In the embankment and
foot braced to support her Her hair
was tousled by wind and bushes, her
face flushed. and she lifted her arms
above her head. working to loosen n
cocoon she had found. The call Mrs.
Comstock had intended to utter never
found voice. Possibly could get that
for YOU" suggested the man.
"Oh. Do hope you CAM" answered
Elnora. ITS quite find. It's one of
those lovely pale red cocoons described
in the books. I suspect 1t comes from
having been in dark place and
screened from the weather"
is that so?' cried the man. wait
a minute. Are you making u collec-
tion"'
He reeled in his line, laid his rod
across q bush and climbed the en-
bankment to Elnora's side, produced a
knife and began the work of whiting
n deep groove around the cocoon.
Yes. paid my way through the
high school In Onabasna with them.
Now ! am starting collection which
means college,"
"Onabasha! said the man. THAT
Is where | am visiting" He paused
to rest, for the bridge flooring was
hard lumber. and the task he had set
himself not easy. Possibly you know
my people-Dr. Ammons? The doctor
is my uncle. My home is in Chicago.
I've been having typhoid fever. some
thing fierce. In the hospital six weeks.
| Didn't gain strength right, so Uncle
| Doc sent for me- | am to live out Of
doors all summer. and exercise until l
get in condition again. My name is
Philip Ammon. Don't you want help?'
Elnora parted the question.
Have you ever hunted moths, Mr.
Ammon"
Enough to know the ropes in taking
them and to distinguish the common
est ones. l know enough to help you
all right"
Aren't you going north?"
Cali depends on how this fever leaves
me. Uncle says the nights are too cold
and the days too hot there for me.
He thinks I had better stay in an
even temperature until I am strong
again. I'll have this cut out in min
ute. You better say yes. he persist
ed. ut would be real Kindness. 1t
| would keep me out doors all day and
give an incentive to work. I'm good
at 1t. I'll show you If ! am not in q
week or so. | can sugar. manipulate
lights and mirrors and am familiar
with all the expert methods. I'll wager
moths are thick in the old swamp over
there"
They are" said Elnora. Most /
have l took there. A few nights ago
my mother caught a good many. but
we don't Dare go alone
"All the more reason why you need
me. Where do you live? I can't get
an answer from you. I'll just go tell
your mother who am and ask her If
may help YOU"
The cocoon came loose. Philip Am
mon stepped down the embankment.
turning to offer his hand to Elnora.
They went to Mrs. Comstock.
Mother. this Is Mr.. Philip Ammon
Of Chicago" said Elnora. HE has
been i'll. and he Is staying with DR..
Ammon In Onabasha. He came fish
ing down the creek and cut this cocoon
from under the bridge for me. He
feels that 1t would be better to hunt
moths than to fish until he gets we'll.
What do you think about it,"
Philip Ammon extended his hand.
II am glad to know YOU" he said.
"You may take the handshaking for
granted" replied Mrs. Comstock. Dan
delions have way Of making the fin
gers sticky, and like to know man
before l take his hand. anyway. That
introduction seems mighty comprehen-
sive on your part. but 1t still leaves me
unclassitied My name Is Comstock."
At last Mrs. Comstock finished the
green's
"You are three miles from the city
and less than mile from where we
live" she said. IF you Will tell me
what you dare eat, I suspect you had
best 90 home with us and rest until
the cool Of the day before you start
back. Probably some one that you
can ride in with will be passing before
evening"
philip Ammon was on his feet. Pick
ing ND the pail Of greens and his fish
ing rod he stood waiting Einora led
the way. Mrs. Comstock motioned
Philip to follow and she walked in the
rear.
Elnora proceeded slowly. chattering
about everything along the trail. Philip
wps interested in all the objects she
nointed out. noticing several things
which escaped her. When Elnora turn
cd toward the gate Of her home Philip
Ammon stopped. took long look at
the biz hewed log cabin. the vines
which clambered over 1t. the flower
on rden ablaze with beds ct bright
bloom interspersed with stra wberries
and tomatoes. the trees Of the forest
rising north and west like a green wall
and exclaimed. "IIow beautiful
Philip Ammon was ravenous for the
buttermllk. and when he stretched on
the bench In the arbor the tickering
patches Of sunlight so tantalized his
tired eyes, while the bees made such
splendid music. he was soon sound
asleep.
When Elnora and her mother came
out with a table they stood a short
time looking at him. 1t Is probable