Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-07-09

markabs solicitude and depression, so much,
that Sophia asked after n little casual talk,
if anything had disturbed her
disturbed mel" the widow exclaimed 20,
Sophia my heart is bleeding this morningp
"For WHAT" Sophia asked. "For cnybody
know
"For yourself, dear girl. Now will not
keep you in suspense Is it not true--I know
it is true-that you are still in your heart
keeping up with the clergyman's son, Percival
Brentr'
Sophia turned MS white rs death Two or
three strange whispers about Percival had
reached her ears from different quarters in
the last three weeks.
Have you any news of him. Is he ILL"
she asked, and yet illness was not what she
feared
Sophia, dear girl" the widow said, re-
garding her with eyes that absolutely moist
ened-by what art or emotion | know not,
nor could the widow have told herself
"Percival Brent is a bad young man-un-
worthy of you-unworthy of your love"
what do you mean" Sophia asked, draw
ing herself up with kind of proud rebuke,
which yet had a threatening of tears in its
very indignation. Nothing bad can be true
of him"
Nothing good, Sophia" the widow re-
piled, shaking her head relgiousy. at is
sad for me to tell it to you, but it is my duty,
dear-and my privilege, too; for who would
see you sacrificed to such fellow
"You must not talk So" Sophia said, in a
less resolute tone.
"1n the first place, dear, he has not been
successful in his trade-business, whatever
you call it. He has lost everythng-or the
person with whom he was in partnership has
lost everything or has died or something I'M
lucky anyhow-Brent is nowhere at all in
money matters"
"That he cannot help" Sophia said, and her
heart revived.
perhaps not, dear; but he could help being
idle being fond of fast company, being fond
of drink-or, at least, of being a places where
people do drnk-and all that sort of thing.
This has been his ruin, for ruined he is"
81 don't see much in what you say" Sophia
replied. Nv henever a young man fails in
life, people are ready to blame him, and ready
to say, WI hat could you expect and all that"
ayes; but smoking, dear-drnking-fas
society"
well, he always smoked, and he always
drank wine Sophia answered hotly. Il
suppose once he has taken a little too much,
and of course spiteful people say that he
Had she really spoken her whole mind she
would have said: "One offense he has never
committed-hc has never been false to me;
and therefore his peccadlloes shall be for
given"
"Sophia, Sopha.' the widow exclaimed,
"thcre is more than that. How Young you are
to think that such things ever 90 alone. Per-
cival is-well, my dear he is not over partic-
ular about his morals, and that's the long and
short of it,
Tell mo all you know" Sophia exclaimed,
turning on her visitor almost fiercely, and
with eyes that enforced an instantaneous re-
ply
Wei, then, my dear, he has rcon untrue
to YOU"
Married" Sophia gaspel, toto Bessie
Warren"
Never heard that name" replied the
widow And he is not married, hut great
deal worse. He is well known out there for
his liking for fast women, and he has made
quite a scandal of himself with an actress
a married woman, believe, only her husband
is in England, | am told
How do you know all this'' Sophia asked
Her voice was scarcely audible; for she was
now sure that her lover was false
zone of my little birds told me" the widow
Sophia Forget him. dear BE girl of
spirit. Treat him he deserves"
How do you know all this" Sophia re-
peated, putting her hand to her forehead and
speaking in n tone of genuine anguish. Tell
me how you know it,"
"Well dear, if you must hear everything
and perhaps it is better-look here
The widow drew from her huff news
paper, and opening it, pointed t. marked
paragraph The paper was an Australian
one, and the paragraph, as will be seen, was
composed with that engaging ease and light
ness of touch which are characteristic of GER
tain colonial journals.
CARRIAGE ACCIDENT IN THE SCBURBS.-
Yesterday evening as Percival Brent was
driving Mrs Lanigan to the theatre after
pleasant lunch in the country, the horses ran
away, probably having had too much Moet
q Chandon-a beverage which, though it
never affects the driver is sometimes known
to have an exciting effect on the steeds-
After a wild career through the streets the
vehicle was turned over close by the theatre
and the occupants thrown into the street,
after which, lightened of their load, the inc
briated animals proceeded to drag the vehicle
to smash with amazing celebrity. Young Per
cival got a heavy cut on the left temple, but
MIS-. lanlSan, marvellous 10 tell, came OH
wholly unnjured. In spite of his bleeding
brow Percival was on his feet again in a mo-
ment and, mindful of the poets advice, he
went to Mrs Lanigan's side, ito take her up
tenderly' and lift her with care" The news
of the accident and its happy termination
soon spread in the theatre and when Mrs.
LaniGan appeared on the stage the house rang
with rauditS. Nobody thought of poor Per-
cival, his countenance being of value to him
self only, while Mrs. Lanigan's is dear to the
public"
"A word in your ear, dear cried the
widow, when Sophia had finished
And she whispered something at which the
poor girls cheek broke into flame.
"Now, Sophia, she said aloud, have not
convinced yout'
81 feel little tired" Sophia answered ~
don't know what to think just yet If you
will excuse me, and look in another morning,
| shall be glad.
Certainly, love- the good humored widow
replied, not sorry to be free now that hor