Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20

by Mrs. Rayner's determined snubs that
she hardly knew how to treat the mat
ter. She would no longer visit Mrs.
Rayner informally, as had been her Gus
tom, yet she wanted the girl to como to
her.
If she went, Miss Travers well knew
that on her return TO the house she
would be received by volley of sar-
casms about her preference for the
society Of people who were the avowed
enemies of her benefactors. If she re-
manned in the house, it was to become in
person the target for her sisters undo
served sneers and censure. The situa-
ton was becoming simply unbearable.
Twice she began and twice she tore to
fragments the letter for which Mr.. Van
Antwerp was daily imploring, and this
evening she once more turned and
slowly sought her room, threw off her
wraps, and took up her writing desk. 1t
was not yet dark. There was still lieht
enough for her purpose, if she went
close to the window. Every nerve was
tingling with the sense of wrong and
lgnoniny; every tLrob of her heart but
intensified the longing for relief from
the tTalidom of her position. She saw
only one path to lead her from such
crushing dependence. There was his
last letter, received only that day, urg-
ing, imploring her to leave Warrener
forthwith Mrs. Rayncr had declared to
him her readiness to bring her east pro-
vided she would fix an early date for the
wedding. Was it not future many a
girl might envy? Was lie not tender,
faithful, patient, devoted as man could be?
Had he not social position and compe-
tence: Was he not high bred, courteous,
refined, gentleman in all his acts and
words? Why could she not love him and
be content:
There on the desk lay little scrap Of
note paper; there lay her pen; dozen
words only were necessary. One mo-
ment she gazed longinglv, wistfully, as
the far away, darkening heights of the
Rockies, watching the last rose tinted
Leans on the snowy peaks then with
sudden impulse she seized her pcn and
lrew the portfolio to the window seat.
Us she did so, a soldierly figure came
brlskly down the walk; u pale, clear cut
lace glanced up at her easement;
luick light Of recognition and pleasure
dashed in his eyes; the little forage cap
was rai:ed with courteous grace. though
le step never slackcned, and Miss Trav-
rs felt that her cheek. too, was flushing
gain, as Mr.. Hayne strobe rapidly By.
nc stood there another mOmen-, and
hen-it had grown too dark to write.
When Mrs. Rayner, after calling twice
rom the bottom of the stairs, finally
vent up into her room and impatiently
pushed open the door, all was darkness
Except the gljmmer from the hearth:
Nellie, where are vou?'
Here answered Miss Travcrs, start
ing up from the sofa. Il think / must
ave been asleep"
Your head is hot as fire." said her
lister, laying her firm white hand upon
he burning forehead. Il suppose you
are going to be downright i'll, by way of
diversion. Just understand one thing.
Nellie, that doctor does not come into
my house"
"What doctor?-not that | want one,"
asked Miss Travers, wearilv.
DIR. Pease, the post surgeon, l mean.
Of course YOU have heard how he is mix
ing himself in my husbands affairs and
making trouble with various people"
Il have heard nothing, Kate"
Il don't wonder your friends are
Ashamad to tell you. Things ha come
o pretty pass, when officers are going
around holding private meetings with
Unlisted mon"
Il hardly know the doctor at all. Kate,
md can't imagine what affairs of your
husbands he can interfere with"
SIT was he that put up Clancy to max
ing the disturbance at Haynes last night
and getting into the guard house, and
,ried TO prove that he had a right TO go
there and that the captain had no right
10 arcs. him"
Twas Clancy trying to see Mr.. Hayney'
asked Miss Travers, quickly.
GLOW should | know" said her sis
ter. pcttishly. Gle was drunk. and prob
ably didn't know what he was doing"
"And Capt. Rayner arrested him for
for trying TO see Mr.. Hayne?"
Capt. Rayner arrested him for being
drunk and creating n disturbance, as it
was his duty to arrest any soldier under
such circumstances, replied her sister,
with maje,tic wrath, land | will not toll
crate it that you should criticise his con-
duct
g.. have made no criticism. h..c.
have simply made inquiry; hat | Ina,
learned what no one else could hay
made me believe
"Ncllie Travcrs, be careful what vor
say, or what you insinuate. What d.
You mean"
81 mean, Kate, that il is my belief thai |
here is something at the bottom of those
stories Of Clancy's strange talk when in
he hospital. | believe he thinks H. |
knows something which would turn all |
suspicion from Mr.. IIayne TO a totallv |
liilerent man, ! believe that, for Reasons |
which | cannot fathom, YOU are deter |
nined Mr.. Hayne shall not see him or |
iear Of it, 1t was you that sent Capt. |
tayncr over there last night. Mrs. |