Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-11-14

now ne muttercd, speak out Why was il that vou
left! That at least you shall tell me"
She painted, fighting to release herself "Becau,s-
because of baby" she gasped.
He let her go and his face fell vacant staseerinr
away from her, he sank into the chair She watched
him with mingled pity and repulsion So that "a,
the reason" he whispered gnawing at lis hands and
nodding his head, because of baby"
Slowly intelligence back to his eves and he
glanced up at her. But why because a tabyr he
faltered and it like little child asking qusst;oo.
Lucy. I've never her-and I wouldn't hnrt her"
There was silence for minute The woman vas
stcadyng herself that she might tell the truth at last
Whie G were only two in the world could Bear II"
she SAID and if the baby had been boy It wouldn't
nave 'nattered so much. boy can fight for himself
ana is judged by his worth; no one will avoid a
BOY because of his father But somehow when N.
Daoy was girl it seemed different A ciri can't A,b,
one isn't big and rough She's so dependent on her
"e'' ana II one of her men is the cause Of her m
SUMS lou know what mean, Badenr Il isn't TIA,
" cruel I'm just saying what must be said Who
"old love or marry girl if he knew that her father
hao Deen-had been where you have lust come fronv
But you know that I was innocent7"
Oh, yes l know; but what about the world W.,
cant make the world believe that You've served .
TWO years sentence and the world will never FORGET IN
linen L not only to be legally punished bu,
CANNED eternaly for deed which you know h.v.
not done: Is that it7' "-''
L
could have been brave and would have s,ood h. 49,
II oaoy hadn't come I'm coward I know: and VET
'Sn LOT myself-its for her. can't bear TO th;r
o "hat she would have to suffer if we lived topether
ne staggered to his feet and had his hand on N.
ooof knob when thought stayed him His lin.
tw'tcned and last squirt of anger blazed into HI.
eyes as he turned upon her And why the devil d,d
you tell me all this before" he blurted Off w.
must nave known a good twelve months ago that vo,
intended to desert What kind of an Iseario+ 49,.
you. to sit down and write me long loving I.t.r,
all pretence-with this hidden in your heart? Is ia
INV" year ago. l might have got used to your can't
and been able to bear it."
She crouched at his feet for she feared ,,-d. -.
even brought herself kiss his hands T1e drew. +h,
away from her so roughly that her lips spurted bIood
uood God! he sneered, what kind of creatu,. do
you think ann You needn't Aater me- D'vo, ,un
pose Id stoop to kill your" Then he saw the btood
ana MS fury died out He bent toward her MI their
faces nearly touched Lucy" he whispered, pointne.
at her lips, did do that"
She did not answer him. for her throat was o.rched
with terror OF death He caught her in his AIMS and
did not notice how she .hrank. Holding her tightly
to his breast, he said: "Oh. Lucy, tell me, why did
you write those letters? It was cruel"
Because was fraid to tell you"
$50 you went away instead?"
Her lips moved. and the word they framed va,
YES"
Poor little woman" he nlurmured; poor little
woman! Then he kissed her the mouth and left
When he got back to Seaford it nearing twelve.
The houses were in darkness and the saloons all shut
The air had grown cooler and it had commenced ia
drzzle- He limped painfully; his feet were badly
swollen and he felt out He oitercd in his steps
and sometimes he halted by dizziness, cutch-
ing at whatever nearest. Once. when he had
halted, he caught policeman cycling him suspciously
Strengthening himself up, he tottered
He had just desire in the world, and that was
to ind Billy: lie would understand
At the entry to the station he stumbled across him
was beating his hands together to keep up circulation
IT required but one glance to tell that this was not
all yer gave me: Yer'vc KEEP me waitin moran four
hours. Had nothnk ter do, sho gor drunk"
ors the aer he asked S Woudn F shave Ss,':g yes
Poor old pal! Wors we goin' ter do nex!'
h., In h, looking at him knshy felt nothing but PITY
they'll force me to come tor was the thought which
kept running through his head Then, answering the
old mans question as to what they going to do
next Get back he said. shortly
Billy stared in amazement. 'Sho yervc found that
out Already have YER? he suffered
Knightly paid him attention He intent
scheme for obtaining rest. When he had completed
his plan he outlined it to Billy after which they
parted
Going to the ticket Office he asked for lower berth
on the midnight express which was due in half an
vanced to the window, retaining the ticket and await
ing the payment of the money before passing it
to the purchaser knightly engaged nm
ton speaking so hoarscly that it difficult to make
what he said The clerk bent farther and farther
forward in order that he might catch his words.
Watching his opportunity, Knghty grabbed him by
the hand Juggling his arm through beneath the IRON
grating till he held him firmly
Billy. who had been lowering about the ladies'
the other side of the ticket Office, hearing tho
camor. dashed his foot through the pane of glass in
the door which entered at the back The momene
Knghy. pcerng through the grating caught sight 81
him, he called to him to slip his hand through the
broken pane. unlock the door. and clear out all the
cash Meanwhile the clerk, gripped fast by the arm,
bawlng Justify for help
Knghty saw the cropped head of Billy appear
through the shattered glass then his shoulder. and
at last his hand, CROPPING drunkenly for the key. He
had found it and about to turn it. when club
descended his neck The club raised and again
descended: then followed shower of blows. scken-
ing in their brutality The old ex-convict was beaten
down till dcsisting from struggle his body hung Imply
through the door-fram and ceased to stir,
Kniehtly released the clerk he had accomplished
his purpose Making effort to escape he seated him<
10. T,,<e doc. ~