Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-04-03
Copyrighted 1911 by Harper & Bros,

was when l dubbed four niggers who was firm from
all four corners of joint"
The doctor glanced up admirngy, and the sheriff
launched into description of the four-handed quarrel
As the wagon pulled up before the Jail ranger dashed
in a lathered pony
Murderer from Fresno got in here on freight last
night" he painted Hes trying to get to Mexico. I've
got to put these posters up all the Territory. He
killed and her brother The State OF Cali
fornia offers FIVE thousand dollars reward He I'M
rolled of the posters and threw it to the sheriff.
Like to you get him, Bob"
The sheriff read the poster by his flash IF he's
tryn to get to Mexico he's bout down at the Tues by
He'll probable camp there tonight. The Tule
Laguna is fourteen miles, crow-yn'. Yes he bout hit
for that
When the crowd had thnned Julio said suddenly
Bob you stay here and keep eye on the town to-
night. I'm going down to the Tules II get the
split the money"
The sheriff gave him keen look az didn't appoint
you to fight. I needed somebody who could sdbe Span
ish; that's how you to be deputy"
Julio WINGED ITS time made good"
We'll you can come with me to the Lagoon. I was
goin to take somebody else Be here in two hours
Julio turned his heel The sheriff called him back
81 seen the young 'un ride around the just
then You'd better ride out home with her"
Julio back to the corral for his pony. He caught
tip with Marie the foot of the sopng hill that swept
up to the orchards She had dropped her rens over the
saddle horn, and her pony trudged along, munching
some greenery he had snatched from low-hanging
branch Swaying lightly to the rhythmic movement OF
the ponys stride, the girl rode lax in her saddle
Julio caught his breath with ecstasy the proud grace
of her bearing, the supple beauty OF the long free lines
of her body She drew her pony to the side so that
the approaching rider might pass her. Julio rode close
tO her and caught the drawing the horses bac-
into the road. Marie looked up at him, startled. He
bending her, his face her own that she
could feel his quick breath against her cheek She
drew back and gathered up the reins swiftly,
mo" he said sharpy-"no" He caught her hands
1--WE will not race tonight You must listen to me.
I've tried tell you for years. but you've always
from me-
'T have not run away from YOU she said, with
startled coquetry
He did not hear her Marie he said-and there
was something in the way he said her name that sent
the blood dizziy to her head-"Marie, you care-you
care-I know that you for me than you
know He forced her meet his eyes and she stared
at him. fascinated. Her pouting red lips were parted
and her breath quickly, brokenly. "And you've
got to tell me-o- night. You cannot lie to me again
you've lied to long enough"
The COOL moist sweetness of the orange flowers was
about them. To Julio the tumut of the world seemed
very distant and unmeanng. The life at Yuma all the
long years of his existence seemed suddenly but some
fantastic caprice OF his imagination trivial dream
The girl snatched her hands from his grasp and draw
ing the two horses to standstill slipped down from
her saddle As she stood looking up at Julio she was
smiling slightly her head thrown back and the moon
light like silver her face and white rounded throat
Julio flung himself to the ground beside her You're
crue-cruel," he whispercd--"you love to hurt me-"
But when she would have answered him he silenced
her His face pale and his eyes burned like pools
of fame He put his hands on her shoulders Say
it-say it, Marie he pleaded.
Say WHAT" she whispered, with a ptfu attempt
at railery.
Say you-you love me!' he commanded brokenly
Her eyes fell.
81 don't if you love me--if you hate me-" he
cred-"l don't care" He seized her in his arms and
pressed her against him. For one glorious second he
knew that he was god of the world then he put her
away quickly. I'm fool-a fool!' he muttered 81
wouldn't have you-kc that, I wouldn't force you to
kiss me-
She buried her face in her hands
Don't cry, dear he whispered, hunby Tim
sorry-but the thought of the Tues-of leaving you-"
She put out a cropping hand. He took it wonder
ingly.
1T may mean death down there tonight" he said,
steadily and had to know before-thafs all"
She raised frightened, tearstaned face. Death"
she whispered.
He laughed unseadily NO don't want to buy you
with pity either Whether it means death or nothing
does not count in this
She crept to him, her frightened eyes searching his
face "You cannot CO. she commanded
why not?'
Because" she whispered, H. She stopped and
stood looking up him The proud defiance had faded
from her face, and there wstfulness in he
waverng smile that tremble dabout her mouth--a visit
fulness that made him feel strangely helpless
81 can't bear it, dear" she said and, unasked put
her hands up on either side of his face and drew him
down to her
"Are YOU sure-sure you love me-" he asked
'I am sure" she answered, softly "T want you to
kiss me-
And he took her in his arms and kissed her mouth
and tear-wet face.
But you must let me go to the Tules' he said 81
wart TO be worth you
"Im not worried about that" she answered quantity