Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-25

been the previous night when he heard
that prayer? Was that the first time
he had been in such proximity? Sinton
drove fast, for he wished to reach the
swamp before Elnora and the Bird
Woman would go there for more
moths.
At almost 4 he came to the case.
and dropping on his knees studied the
ground, every sense alert. He found
two or three little heel prints. Those
were made by Elnora or the Bird
Woman. What Sinton wanted to learn
was whether all the rest were the
footprints of one man. It was easily
seen they were not. There were deep,
even tracks made by fairly new shoes,
and others where a well worn heel
cut deeper on the inside of the print
than Mt the outer edge. Undoubtedly
some Of Corson's old gang were watch
ing the case and the visits Of the
women to 1t. There was no danger that
anyone would attack the Bird Woman.
She never went to the swamp at night,
and on her trips In the daytime every
one knew that she carried revolver,
understood how to use 1t and pursued
her work in fearless manner.
Sinton was afraid for Elnora. yet he
did not want to add the burden of fear
to katharine Comstock's trouble or to
disturb the JOY of Elnora in her work.
He stopped Mt the cabin and slowly
went up the walk. Mrs Comstock was
eli f,,.r 1,n
sewing. She dropped her work on her
lap, laid her hands on it and looked
into his face with snccr.
you didn't let any grass grow under
your feet" she said.
Sinton saw her white. drawn face
and comprchended.
IL went to pay n debt and sec about
this opening of the ditch, Kate
You said you were going to prose-
cute me"
Good gracious, Kate" cried Sinton
us that what YOU have been thinking
all day? l told you before | left yes
terday that would not need do that
! want TO ask you If you ever see any
thing about the swamp that makes
you think the old Corson gang is still
alive:'
Cant say that do" said Mrs. Com
stock. There's kind of dancing lights
there sometimes. but supposed it was
just people passing along the road
with lanterns"
Kate. | have got to tell you some
/ thing. Elnora STOPPED AZ the case this
morning. and somebody had been into
1t IN the night"
"Brokc the lock-"
"No. Used a duplicate key. To-day I
heard there was a man here last night
! want to nose around a little"
Sinton went to the east end of the
cabin and looked up ut the window.
There was no way any one could have
reached 1t without ladder. for the
/ logs were hewed ard mortar filed the
/ cracks even. Then he went to the
west end. The willow faced him as he
! turned the corner. He examined the
trunk carefully. There was no mistake
| about small particles of black swamp
muck adhering to the sizes of the
tree. He reached the low branches and
climbed the willow. There was earth
OH the large limb crossing Elnora' 8
window. He stood on it, holding the
branch as had been done the night be-
fore. and looked into the room. He
could see very little, but lie knew that
if it had been darl, outside and sufii-
GENTLY light for Elnora to study inside
he could have seen wildly. He brought
his face close to the netting. and he
could see the bed with It's head to the
east, at its foot the table with the
candles and the chair before it. and
then he knew where the man had been
who had heard Elnorn ) prayer.
Mrs. Comstock had followed around
the corner and stood watching him.
do you think some sinking hulk was
up there reekin' in at Elnora?" she
demanded Indignantly.
"There is muck on the trunk and
plenty on the limb" said Sinton
Hadn't you better get saw and lei
me take this branch off,"
mo, l hadn't" said Mrs Comstock
First place. Elnoras climbed from
that window on that limb all her life
and it's hers; second place. no one gets
ahead of me after I've had warning
ANY crow that pcrches on that roost
again will get its feathers somewhat
scattered. Look along the fence there
and see if You can find where he came
in"
The place was easy to find as was {
trail leading for some distance west o
the cabin.
"You just go home and don't fire.
yourself" said Mrs Comstock. "I'l
take care Of this. If you should hea
the dinner bell Mt any time in the nigh
you come down. But ! wouldn't sa,
anything to Elnorn. She best keep he
mind on her studies if she's going T.
school,"
When the work was finished tina
night Elnora took her books and wen
to her room to prepare some lessons
but every few minutes she looked to
ward the swamp to see II there wer
lights near the case. Mrs. Comstoc
raked together the Goals in the cookin
stove, got out the lunch box, and, sit
ting down. she studied 1t grimly. A
, last she arose.
wonder how It would do to sho,
} Mag SlntOn a frill or two" she mul
INJURED.
Mrs. Comstock was up early an
without word handed Elnora tn
| Ivvnn oh