News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-10-01

conversation. 10 make SCeho, y
discuss my affairs with strangers, t.
seek public sympathy, were things I'm
possible Yet | heard enough. Tn
mattresses were gone from Spit
House, the constable was dismissed
from his position; the business OF tn
post-office and stage-lne were trans
ferred to Mr.. Eures stopping-place a
the falls Brooke and Polly were LEI
alone, with no power, it seemed then
for any further mischief.
Until it actually happened, I never
expected that Brooke would visit me
but perhaps from his point of view the
event was piquant.
No, / was not frightened, but as
daughter of Eve a little curious te
know what brought him, and not quite
fool enough to run the risk of show
ing any temper.
When l asked him to state his bust
ness, with large gesture he claimed
the visitors drink. 1t is an old Gus
tom, which I broke.
you think I'm villain?"
I made no comment.
"pve come to thank you, ma'am. Ii
you'd pressed that girls case it might
have been well-awkward."
| l told him that had | known the
| law, should have done my best to get
him penal servitude for life.
That's straight" he answered in
diligently, you always were clear
grit, and that's why I want-well,
ma'am," he lowered his eyes, I'm 60
ing to confess. You don't mind?" he
added.
My eyes betrayed my one desire, es-
cape, but he stood in the doorway
leading to the house.
"Your presence l said, "is distaste-
full. Please will you let me pass?"
"Not till I've set things straight"
There was no bell with which to
summon help, and I should have been
ashamed to make a scene.
GO on" said.
Il dunno how you feel, mum, about
life. I've been disappointed, starting
in with ideals, and there're gone. I'm
as straight as the world will let me,
without my going hungry"
YES" Brooke sighed, I'm a disil-
lusioned, disappointed man"
I had a curious sense that this actor
of life was trying to be real. and in
the attempt he posed.
mot that I claim" he went on,
chat Spite House is anyways holy.
It's not. OF course, a sporting and
gambling joint meets demand, re-
grettable demand, thing we both
abhor and would like to be shut. of.
But since demand creates the supply,
let's have it in heightened style, not
run by thugs. That's what I say"
His spacious benevolence seemed to
confer partnership, yet to be shocked
at my immoral tendencies.
However" he sighed, cts over. It's
done with, showed aside. There was
money in it, but small money, and
we pass on. Old Taylor may have
told you that as far back as Novem-
Der we decided, Mrs. Smith and me,
to run the house as first-class resort
for tourists. We bought the Star
Pack-train from Taylor, and the old
cargador is making our new riggings.'
This was news indeed!
"Of course pack-trains as such are
out of date as Noah's ark, and we've
got to march with the procession.
You'll see in this prospectus" he held
out a paper "well, I'll read it. Let's
see-yes-Forest Lodge, long under
the able management of Mrs. Jesse
Smith, with great experience in
no. it's further on-'Forest Lodge
is the natural center for parties view
ing the wondrous wilds.' That should
grip them, Ell? Experienced guides
with pack and saddle animals from
the famous Star atajo,' we can't call
them mules, of course, will escort par
ties visiting the sceneries and hunt.
ing grounds of the Coast Range, the
Cariboo, the Omenica, the Babine, and
the Cassiar' That ought to splash"
Billy had warned me of bad char
acters settled on the lands toward
Jesse's ranch. Were these Brookes
experienced guides?"
Naturally" Brooke folded his pros
pectus, "the sporting trade had to be
closed right down before the tourist
connection took a hold. Millionaire
sportsmen out to spend their dollars,
expect to find things just so. They
want recherche meals, and unique dec
orations, real champagne wine, and
everything imported even when it's
made on the spot. They don't make
no hurroar over losing a few thou
sand at cards, but they just amt going
to stand seeing Polly laying around
drunk on the barroom floor. l tell
you when they comes 1 amt going to
have Polly around my place. That's
straight. She'll get her marching or
ders P. D. O."
Sc Polly was next for betrayal.
eyes" Brooke became very con-
fidential. what 1 require at Forest
Lodge is a real society hostess, lady.
Yes that's what's the matter-a lady.
Now that's what I come about. Ever
since / seen you, Mrs, mean madam,
1 mean"
lie became quite diffident, leaving
the doorway, leaning over the coun-
ter
Would you" he began, would