Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-12-20

iI'Hi view, Iutn lOr7t'l no pruning
shears into the bush, ard saying, Eve
heard all want t, know fled rapidly
in the opposite direction
Fountain did not find another chance
for confidential conversation with Flora
that night again.
Late in the evening he did find an OPP
portunity TO say to her:
"lf you will formulate your charges
against me, | will try to meet them to
your satisfaction. You have been mis-
Informed about something evidently"
"No,' she replied in a low tone,
placing great restraint upon herself,
'never shall | revert to the matter
again; [ have thought it over, and &C
cept the consequences. | love you too
deeply, though hate myself for it, but
I'm yours, and cast all consideration
to the winds. Let it pass"
"Shall be able to see you alone to-
morrow? l must go back to New York
tomorrow night
"To-morrow night she said in alarm.
eyes, l must. II is very important"
as it that enterprise we talked OFF,
"No--it is not that which calls me
back-some notes to meet-some money
TO raise
Promise me you will keep out of the
sight of lIolbrook. Promise me you will
avoid him in every way"
Owe have not been in the habit OF
meeting"
"But promise me faithfully you will
seek every way rather than meet him.
lie is dangerous to you"
81 do not understand you, neither do
I fear him, but will promise you"
Upon this they parted, she retiring for
the night.
Dick Witherspoon persuaded Fountain
to walk out for q smoke, and they shortly
found themselves at resort much fire.
qucntcd by the young men of that ex-
elusive watering place.
\ little play was going forward. In a
far corner of the room number were
sitting at a table.
"Hello!' said Dick Witherspoon, "there
is Tom Bryan; what under the sun brings
him here:"
"Who is Tom Bryant" asked Foun.
tain.
1.-The keenest newspaper man in New
York, and the best of fellows, as well as
one Of the most amusis5."
The two joined the party and were
warmly greeted, while Fountain was
presented to Tom.
Tom was telling a rafting story of adj
venture, in which figured persons known
to fame, and which was eliciting much
laughter.
During its recital Tom placed both ell
bows upon the table, holding his hands
| upright to illustrate some point in his
anecdote. He was telling the story at
Fountain, and did not fail to notice that
Fountain looked curiously at the buttons
Tom wore in his cuffs.
They were the ones Holbrook had given
him.
To draw his attention to them was
Toms purpose.
When the tale was ended and the talk
tagged for moment Fountain leaned
forward and said:
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Bryan, l am
not often guilty of the enOrmity of direct
| ing attention to the wear of gentlemen,
but the buttons you have are so curious
that l should like to make an inquiry"
Pardon is granted, for | am rather
fond of these buttons. They are rare,
and as poor devil of a newspap~ man
dosent often mount valuable jewelrv, l
am distinguished among my fellows for
/ them"
Il never saw but one pair like them, "
continued Fountain, land they We're in
the nature of an heirloom. Those but
tons were of Florentine manufacture
my friend having had a diamond insert
ed in them. They had belonged to his
grandfather, who received them as a
present from an Italian, SO he told me-"
"Yes:" said Tom, dumfOunded by the
GOODNESS displayed by Fountain. "These
buttons We're given me by gentleman
a friend for whom once it lay in my power
to do very great favor
1T was possibly the same person. said
Fountain.
POSSIBLY" replied Tom.
Tom had expected to discOncert Foun-
tain by displaying them, and was taken
aback by the fact that Fountain had di-
rected attention to them.
He thought that either Fountain was a
man of the coolest nerve, or that the but
tons did not belong to him. He was
loath to give it up 50, and consequently
he deXterously turned the conversation
to New York matters, and then watch
ing Fountain SO that he could observe
every shade of expression, he suddenly
said;
Il have been given hint from head
quarters that they are on the track of
TempletOn's murderer.
Fountains face never flinched, and an
expression of mild curiosity only arose
upon it.
Indeed, hope they may catch the
rascal, it was dastardly deed"
AS extraordinary as was the command
Tom exercised over his features at all
times, it is to be feared that astonish-
ment, if not disappointment, was visible
for a moment. However, Fountain had
turned to the others as he pronounced
these words, and did not notice the fleet
ing expression on Toms face.
How long do you stay, Fountain
inquired some one at the table.