Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-25
CHAPTER VII.
Wherein Elnora Receives a Warning
and Billy Appears on the Scene.

cabin and began the days
work, but mingled with the
. brOoding bitterness Of her soul
was the vision of sweet young face,
glad with gladness never before seen
on 1t. and over and over she repeated,
81 wonder what he'll say to her?'
What he said was that she looked as
fresh and sweet as posy and to be
careful not to step in the mud or
scratch her shoe when she went to the
case.
Elnora found her key and opened
the door. Not where she had placed
it. but conspicuously in front lay her
little heap Of bills and crude scrawl
of writing beside 1t. Elnora picked
up the note in establishment.
dere Emory, the lord Almighty Is hiding
you all right done you ever dout 1t this
money Of yourn was took for some time
las mite but 1t is returned with intres for
god sake done ever come to the swamp at
mite or late evnin or mornin or far in any
t.;ne sompin worse an you know could
git you A FRIEND.
Elnora began TO tremble. She has
tily glanced about The damp earth
before the case had been trodden by
large. roughly shod feet. She caugh:
up the money and the note. thrust them
into her guimpe. locked the case and
ran for the road.
She was SO GREATNESS and her face
so white Sinton noticed it.
What in the worlds the matter, FL.
nora p he asked as he helped her into
the carriage.
81 am half afraid" she painted.
Tut. tut. child.' said Wesley Sinton.
Nothing in the world to be afraid Of.
What happened?"
Uncle Wesley" said Elnora. II had
more money than ] brought home last
night. and put it in my case. Some
one has been there. The ground is all
trampled. and they left this note
And took your money. I'll wager"
said SintOn angriy.
NO." answered Elnora. Read the
note and. oh. Uncle Wesley, tell me
what 1t means!'
Sinton's face was study. II don't
hhOW nav ~ ihCulS, LIZ oulu why
one thing is clear. 1t means some
beast who doesn't really want to harm
you has got his eye Oh you and he is
telling you plain as he can not to give
him a chance. You got to keep along
the roads. in the open. and not let the
biggest moth that ever few toll you out
Of hearing Of us or your mother. 1t
means that. plain and distinct"
"Just when l can sell them; just
when everything is so lovely on ac-
count of them. | can't can't stay
away from the swamp. The Timber
lost is going to buy the books, the
clothes, pay the tuition and even start
college fund. just can't"
you've got to-" said Sinton. This
is plain enough. You go far in the
swamp at your own risk. even in day
time"
"UncIe Wesley" said the girl in a
whisper. last night before went to
bed / was so happy tried to pray.
and 1 thanked God for hiding me I'M
der the shadow of his wing But
how in the world could any one know
IT."
Wesley Sntons heart gave one
great leap in his breast. His face was
whittier than the girls now.
was you praying out loud. honeyT'
he almost whispered.
, II might have said words" answer
ed Elnora. II know do sometimes.
| I've never had any one to talk to. and
I've played with and talked to my.
! self all my life. You've caught me nj
1t often, but it always makes mother
angry when she does. She says it's
silly. ! forget and do 1t when I'm
alone. But. Uncle Wesley. If said
anything last night you know it was
the merest whisper, because I'D have
been so afraid Of waking mother. DOM
you see? l sat up late and did two
lessons"
Sinton was steadying himself. "Il
stop and examine the case as l come
back" he said. maybe l can fine
some clew. That other-that was JUS
accidental. It's a common expression
All the preachers use it. If ! was go
ing to pray that would be the very
first thing I'd say"
The color came back to Elnora'!
face.
Did you tell your mother about this
money. Elnora?" he asked.
mo, didn't" said ElnOra. "1t''
dreadful not to, but was afraid. 70,
see, they are clearing the swamp 81
fast. Every year 1t grows harder t.
find things. and Indian stuff get
scarcer. l want to graduate. and that
four years unless I can double on tn
course. That means 500 tuition eacl
year and new books and clothes
There won't ever be SO much Mt on
time again-that know. just got t
hang to my money. I was afraid t
tell her for fear she would want 1t 10
taxes. and she really must sell ire
or some cattle for that. mustn't She
Uncle Weslcy?"
ION your life. she must!" said Yves
ley. "You put your little wad in tn
bank all safe and never mention 1t t
living soul. 1t don't seem right, bu
your case is peculiar. Every word 20
say is n true word. Each year you wi
get less from the swamp, and thing
everywhere will be scarcer. II 20
ever get few dollars ahead, that ca
start your college fund. You know 20
are going to college. Elnora!"
"Of course l am" said Elnora.
She jumped from the carriage an
soon found that with her books. hi