United States or Saint Martin ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
At the summit of the rise he clicked again and the dogs went on faster, the man running behind with the tireless, flat-footed gait of the trained traveler of the wilderness. In the meanwhile old McGurn was busy in the store and Sophy put on her woollen tuque and her mitts. "I'm going over to the depot and see about that box of Dutch socks," she announced. "'T ain't due yet," observed her father.
From Box 17 she took the letters and handed them over without a word, and the doctor carefully placed them in his pocket with the others. "I think you've been very wise in taking my advice, Miss McGurn," he told her. "It was the only way out of trouble. Isn't that the freight's whistle? I'll hurry off. Good-day to you." He stepped quickly across the space that separated him from the station.
Two or three weeks went by very fast and one day Sophy McGurn, from behind the shop-window, saw Hugo Ennis standing on the platform of the little station at Carcajou. With him was big Stefan, clad in his best, and the entire Papineau family. Most of the children were about to take the very first railway journey of their lives and the excitement was intense and prolonged.
I've talked over the matter with some of the people who went with you to Roaring River, and I gather that you are the only one who can enlighten us a little." "I I don't know anything!" she stammered. "You're probably too modest, Miss McGurn, or you may perhaps be trying to shield some one. That shows your kind heart, of course, but it won't quite do for the law.
Stefan, returning, was hailed at the door of the store by Sophy McGurn. "Who's the strange lady, Stefan?" she asked, most innocently. "It's a leddy vhat is expectin' Hugo Ennis," he answered. "How queer!" said the girl, airily. "Ay dunno," answered the Swede. "Vhen Hugo he do a thing it ain't nefer qveer, Ay tank." She turned away and Stefan stepped over to the depot and opened the door.
The doctor nodded, admiring the drummer's diplomacy, and walked over to the other counter behind which Miss Sophy was standing. "How do you do, Miss McGurn?" he said, amiably. "How d'ye do? How's Hugo Hugo Ennis?" she asked, eagerly. "He may perhaps pull through, though he's still hanging on to a pretty thin chance. I suppose you know that you're soon going to be called as a witness?"
The old gentleman awoke with a start and the mother, looking over her glasses, bade her good-night and sweet dreams, according to a long-established formula. "Don't know what's the matter with Sophy, she's that restless an' nervous," said her mother. "She always was, fur's I know," answered McGurn. "If she's gettin' the complaint worse she must be sickenin' for something."
Striking a bit of flat bare rock, the runners spat out fire and squealed, after which the heavy sled slithered and slipped over the crackling snow, so that presently the outfit disappeared around the first bend in the tote-road. Miss Sophy McGurn looked particularly down-hearted. None of the interesting events she expected had taken place.
Vhen he go in de post-office she alvays smile awful sveet at Hugo, and dere's dem as say she vere pretty mad because he don't never pay no attention. Vhat he care for de red-headed t'ing?" "She looks after all the mail, doesn't she?" asked the doctor. "Yes, McGurn he too busy vid oder t'ings. De gal tends to all de letters an' papers." This seemed an indication worth following.
A newcomer he was, and something of a tenderfoot, but he made no pretence of knowing it all. A gigantic Swede he addressed gave him valued advice, and Sophy McGurn, daughter of the proprietor, joined in, smilingly. She was a rather striking girl, of fiery locks and, it was commonly reported, of no less flaming temper. To Hugo Ennis, however, she showed the most engaging traits she possessed.
Word Of The Day