Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-08-22

4
my distaste for his society so far as to
remain portion OF the evening. In
consequence of the avoidance l have
mentioned, | had never seen him and
Robert together. Now I could not fail
to observe that the lawyers presence
was like an incubus to my brothers
hghtsome buoyancy.
Madeline treated the visitor with grave
courtesy but two or three times | saw
her SILVER and set her lips firmly to-
gcther when he came near her. Once,
when her hand lay upon the table near
which she sat, julius Stone covered it
with his own i'll shapen palm and held it
thus for a moment. have never seen
the expression of endurance more posi-
lively marked than it was in her face at
that time.
The conversation was chiefly about
the picnic. They gave a delighted de-
ecription OF the house and grounds, and
Beatrice quoted the opinions of at least
half dozen people as to the undoubted
elegance of their decoration for the occa-
sion.
Il did not know you lawyers had such
good taste, Mr., Stone she declared.
Everybody said the arrangements were
perfect"
That's way have Of doing things.
Yes, miss; l have generally found that
half way measures don't pay"
at is a very agreeable way, at all
events"
"Much obliged, I'm sure. Yes, miss;
and, as / was saying, half way measures
don't pay, Madeline, what do you
Think"
81 dare say you are right" was the
careless answer.
"Doyoui That's the good Of a w omau's
having sense. Now, half the women I'm
acquainted with would have wanted to
know what ] mean by half way meas
ures, and why they don't pay, and all
that sort of thing. Mr.. Mannering" adj
dressing himself to Robert, ga sensible
woman, our Number Two here, sir. Yes,
sir"
"She has need to be-" muttered Rob
ert, in en- undertone.
"Robert," said, starting suddenly to
my feet, twill you walk down to my
lodgings with me? believe l have never
shown you the collection of insects
made in South America. ] think you
will find 1T rather interesting"
"Oh, may go too" cried Beatrice,
'Not tonight" / returned. ~ want
your fathers advice about arranging my
specimens When get the collection in
proper order you shall see it,"
Robert had eagerly assented to my
proposal, his spirits seeming to recover
their elasticity at q bound. But just as
we were starting out julius Stone inter
posed with:
Just wait minute, won't you? We
are all Mannerings together here, SO
there is no use in making any bones of
it. Madeline and l have concluded to
be married In a week from now. That's
all, sir. Yes, sir. Hope the arrange
ment will suit all around. What do you
think, Mr., Manneringi'
IF you and Madeline have arranged
1t so, suppose it viii do" said Robert
feebly, with the old, careworn look in
fun force upon his face.
That's all right, then-all right, sir.
Yes, sir"
II glanced at Madeline, Her face was
absolutely colorless, She had started UP
y if the announcement had taken her by
urprise, and stood grasping the back of
chair. Beatrice had stolen TO her side,
7nkiug almost as pale as her sister,
round whom she had thrown one arm,
IS if for protection. Thus they were
tandinS when we left the room. As
soon as we were fairly out of doors Rob
ert took my arm, saying lightly that lit
would make our walk seem more like
those of the old Robbie-and- Raffy times. 81
Robbie" l said, laying my hand upon
his, I'VE used to have no secrets from
each other in those old times. Don't
YOU remember"