Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-01-06

given plain proofs of her attachment to t.,
country and of her preference for himself:
Besides, he was considered rathcra kct IL
with the farmers daughters round about.
There was "Mariar" Black, who would give
her eyes to he mistress of the Dodd farn.
But "Morar's' charms paled immeasurably
before those of his brilliant companion
$50 this is my last evening at Pcnnyvillo, "
Miss Nernor's dulcct tones were saying Il
know you must be glad, Phil, we have been
such bother to YOU
Here was his opportunity.
81 didn't know-I-I-thought may be
you'd conclude to stay with us altogether, y
he stammcred
80, that would he impossible she said,
with an irrepressiblc giggle.
The bare thought of spending the rest of
her gayety- loving life with busting "Marm''
Dodd so appealed to her sense of the ludicrous
that she sank back in her scat shaking with
suppressed laughter.
80, when ! axcd you to stay, 1 meant, of
course, for you and me TO get hitchcd,' said
Phil, eagerly, plunging boldly into the mat
ter "Nou must have seen that like YOU a
heap better than any of the gals round here, 50
tendcrly, attempting to embrace her
But Miss Nclnor's self possession had re-
turned. and thinking her dupe had gone far
enough, she said Jelly:
Dojd. ,vbot ri,,bt bo,.c I.,,, t,,to1i. -, tla+
WAY to mo-"
Phil storcd ot bo,.. ,ar,.t
.Ubot ri,,bt,. he c,ieI +, , ,,oysio,, 81 IL.
appointment and pain; "why hain't YOU
pit.p mo reason .nnr.,I t,,Ijnl, 'r,,+ I.,,,,
sot sonotbino L,-u mo, C,,,Il,,., l,,.,,,t ~
lil,oIv ,o1. ms +Lo,. ,,.,, T., ,l,a ,,.li
side. only tn r,,bo,. TAXA ,,, ~ ,.,., ia
been a bprrar than my ono ,l.c t,.i+h tho
best farm i'm fine state"
The awkward boy was ,,ono mud % maj,
with passionate. wounded boort ,,t Thorn il,
hi, stead
IL am surprised that YOU ever thou~ht il
possible | could care for YOU" she returned
coldly. ~ never dreamed that Won womb so
msconstrue my friendship"
Truth to tell. the pettcd Miss Vernon Calt
just a little embarrassed at his inst wrath.
and the rest of the drive was performed in
uncomfortable silence
She said nothing to May of this episode.
feeling in no mood for reproachos besides
something in Pills face made her conscience
give a few unusual twinres; so. with n fcol
ing of relief that she was SO soon to leave the
farm and its inmates. she fell a,lccp
How long She slept She knew not, but she
awoke with sufrocating feeling and a sense
of impending danger. She groped her way
to the door and opened it. when a volume Of
smoke and flame rolling up the stairway
drove her back, half faintinr with terror
At the same time the sound of excited voices
and cries of Fire from below told hertbat
the household had also discovered their dan
ger.
They called wildly TO her to come down.
but when she again tried the stairway, again
the flames drove her back She sunk down
with moan of despair, but some one dashed
up the burning stairs. wrapped her hastily in
blanket and bore her ont of the room.
Down the blazing stairway. rs tbrourb q
furnace they passed. They had reached tbo
hall; a few steps more and they yyould roir
the door: but. overpowered by tba do7dIv
heat, her preservcr sank on one knee with hi.
almost helpless burden.
80 God!" cried Pills voice. sswe shall
deln And then Nell lost consciousness
When she again openod her ovos ,bo v.oe,