Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-05-04

latin you've got all the kcerds in yoUr
own hand, what you'll take to step out
and leave the boardY"
The dazed look of de Ferrcrcs might
have forced itself even upon Notts one
idead faulty, had it not been part Of
that gentleman's system delicately to look
another way at that moment so as not to
embarrass his adversary's calculation
"pardon,n stammcrcd de Ferricres, 'but
1 do not comprehendr' He raised his
hand 20 his head. Il am not Welt am
stupid. All, mon Dieun'
81 amt sayin',n added Mott more
gently, "cz You don't feel bad. It's
nat'ral. But it amt business. I'm ask
ing YOU" he continued, taking from his
breast pocket large wallet, chow much
you'll take in cash now, and the rest next
steamer day, to give up Roscy and leave
the ship"
De Ferricres staggered to his feet de
spite Motifs restraining hand. 10 leave
mademoisclle and leave the ship?' he said
huskily, sis it not?'
''ln course. Yer can leave things yer
just cz you found 'cm when you came,
You know" continued Mott, for the first
time looking around the miserable apart
mcnt. "It's a business job. I'll take the
bales back ag'in, and you kin reckon up
what you're out, countm' Rosey and loss
o. time"
'lIe wishes me to go-he has said, " re-
peatcd de Ferricrcs to himself thiclly.
"Ef you mean me when you say him,
and cz there amt any other man around,
| reckon you do-'yesn"
"And lie asks me-he-this man OF the
feet and the daughter-asks me--dc Fer
ricres-what | will take continued de
Ferreres, buttoning his coat. "No. it is
II dreamm He walked stitlly to the cor.
ner where his portmanteau lay, lifted it,
and going to the outer door, u cut through
the ships side that communicated with
the alley, unlocked it and flung it open to
the night, a thick mist like the breath
of the ocean flowed into the room.
"Iou ask me what shall take to go, t"
he said as he stood on the threshold. Il
shall take what you cannot give, mon
sieur, but what | would not keep if
stood here another moment. / take my
honor, monsieur, and-I take my leavem
For moment his grotesque figure was
outlined in the opening, and then disap-
peared as if he had dropped into an invs-
IDLE ocean below. Stupeied and discon-
certed at this complete success of his over
lures, Abner Mott remained specchless
gazing at the vacant space until cold in
iluX of the mist recalled him. Then he
rose and shuflled quickly to the door.
eli, Ferrers Look yer-say, Wot'e
your hurry, pardner"
But there was no response The thick
mist, which hid the surrounding Objects
seemed to deaden all sound also. After a
moments pause he closed the door, but
did not lock it, and retreating to the CEN
ter of the room remained blinking at the
two candles and plucbing some perpleXing
problem from his beard Suddenly an
idea seized him. Roseyl Where was She.
Perhaps it had been preconccrted plan
and she had fled with him. Putting out
the lights he stumbled hurriedly through
the passage to the gangway above. The
cabin door was open; there was the sound
Of voices-Renshaw' and Rosey's MI
i.
He would have avoided his daughters
presence that evening. But even while
making this resolution with characteristic
iufclicity he blundered into the room.
toscy looked up with u slight start; Rem
;haW's animated face was changed to its
'ormcr expression Of inward discomfort.
"GOu came in SO like u ghost, fathcr,n
said liosey with slight peevishncss that
was new to her. And | thought YOU
we're in town, Don't 90, Mr.. Renshaw."
But Mr.. Renshaw intimated that he
had already trespassed upon Miss Motifs
time, and that no doubt her father want
I'd to talk with her. TO his surprise ana
annoyance, however. Nh Mott insisted on
accompanying him to his room, and with
out needing Renshaw's cold Good
night" entered and closed the door be-
Aind him.
"P'raps,' said Mr.. Mott with a troubled
air, 'you disremember that when You
first KEN here you asked me if you could
hev that 'er loft that the Frcnchman had
down stars.'
ono, / don't remember it," said Rem
shaw, almost rudely. "But," he added,
after Il pause, with the air of Il man
obliged TO revive II stale and unpleasant
meno4y, If Idid-what about it,"
"Nuthin', only that you kin hey it to-
morrow, cz that ere Frenchman is movin
out" responded Mott. II thought you
was sorter keen about it when you first
kem."
"Cmph! we'll talk about IL to-mor-