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

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| good Nlie were seated IN earnest talk.
1t was just after sunset when Mr.. Hayne
dropped in TO pay his first visit after tho
few days in which he had been confined
to his quarters. He was looking thin.
paler thaH usual, and far more restless
| and eager in manner than of old. The
| Waldrons welcomed him with more than
usual warmth, and the major speedily
led the conversation up TO the topic which
was 80 near to his heart.
| You and | must see the doctor and
have triangular council over this thing.
| Hayne. Three heads are better than
none; and if, as he suspects, old Clancy
really knows anything when he's drunk
that he cannot tell when he's sober. I
shall depart from Mrs. Waldron's prin-
ciples and join the doctor in his pet
scheme Of getting him drunk again. In
VINO veritas, you know. And we ought
to be about it, too, for it wort be long
before his discharge comes, and once
away we should be in the lurch."
"There seems SO little hope there, ma
| jor. Even the colonel has called him
| up and questioned him."
cay, very true, but always when tho
old sergeant was sober. 1t is when
drunk that Clancy's conscience bricks
him to tell what he either knows or sus-
poets"
a light, quick footstep was heard on
the piazza, the hall door opened, and
without knock or ring, bursting impet,i-
ousiy in upon them, there suddenly ap-
peared Miss Travers, her eyes dilated
with excitement. AT sight of the group
sho stopped short, and colored to the
very roots Of her shining hair.
Glow glad l am to see Won. Nellieln
exclaimed Mrs. Waldron, as all rose Ia
greet der. An embarrassed, half dis
traught reply was her only answer. She
had extended both hands to the elder
lady; but now, startled almost stunned,
at finding herself in the presence of tbs
very man she most wanted to see, she
stood with downcast eyes, irresolute,
He, too, had not stepped forward-had
not offered his hand. She raised her
blue eyes for one quick glance, and saw
his pale, pain thinned face, read anew
the story of his patience, his suffering,
his heroism, and realized how she too
had wronged him and that her very
awkwardness and silence might tell him
that shameful fact. 1t was more than
she could stand.
Il came-purposely. ! had hoped to
find you. Mr.. Hayne You-you re-
member that had something to tell you.
1t was about Clancy. You ought to see
him. I'm sure you ought, for he must
know-he or Mrs. Clancy-somethinx
about yOur-vOur trouble; and I've inst
this minute heard that thev-that he'e
going away tomorrow, and YOU must
find him tonight, Mr.. Hayne; indeed
you must"
Who can paint her as she stood there,
blushing, pleading, eager, frightened,
yet determined? Who can picture the
wild emotion in his heart, reflected in his
face; He stepped quickly TO her side
with the light leaping to his eyes, his
hands extended as though to grasp hers;
but it was Waldron that spoke first:
"Whero is he going: How"
ooh, with us, maiOr We go to-mor-
row, anlthey so with US. My sister has
some rcaHon-l cannot fathom it. She
'''''' Nl4'.H bNd N IIPLu ItIc, anu
'lanGH'5 discharge came today. He
must sec him first" She said, Indicating
Hr. iiayne by 4 nod Of her pretty heard.
They say Clancy has run off and got
away from bis wife. He doesn't want
o he discharged. They cannot find him
4ow; but perhaps Mr. Haync cen. Mr..
Jayne. try 10. Nou-you must
"indc,I We must, Nayuc, and quick
about it, said The major. Now is our
chance, verify believe. Let US get the
doctor first; then little Kate will best
know where to lou', for Clancy. Come,
man, get your oyercoat.' And he hast
encd To the hall.
Haync followed Is though in dream,
reached the Threshold, turned, looked
tack, made one quick step toward Miss
Trayers with out-tretched hand, then
checked himself Us suddenly. His yearn-
ms ewes seemed fastened on her burning
face his lips quivcred with the intensity
OF his emotion. She raised her eyes and
gave him one quick look, half entreaty,
half command; he seemed Intellectually
struggling to speak-to thank her. One
moment of irresolution, then, without q
word of any kind, he sprang to'the door.
She carried his parting glance in her
heart Of hearts all night long. There
was no mstaking what it told.
10 be concluded in July supplemental