Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-05-05

But still delayed my return. How
we'll recall one Saturday afternoon in
June, when as by a common instinct
business men seemed to close their doors
earlier than usual, and Mr.. Prime and |
set off to enjoy half holiday in our
usual fashion. lie was at the height Of
rood spirits, for the affair in which he
was interested jointly with Roger Dale
was doing wonderfully well, and the
profits promised To be enormous Alb
sorbed in conversation, we failed to no.
tice the close proximity OF a rapidly
driven horse. from under the hoofs of
which | escaped by n mere hairs breath,
1t was trivial incident in itself, but
the exclamation which my companion
made and the eager, impetuous way in
which he expressed himself regarding
my safety served TO opon my eyes to the
real condition of affairs b,twceu rs.
There was no use in my seeking longer
to conceal from myself the reason for
my remaining in New York. It was Mr..
Primes society that held me there, and
decency babe me 10 put an end to our
relations at once, but on his account
far more than on my own; for while |
fiattcred myself that my heart was I'M
touched sayo by the emotion of warm
friendship. ! could not dismiss the con-
vction that his feeling for me was rapid
ly approaching the point at which iri"nd-
ship becomes an ilnpOssbility. Unjust 20,
and Immediately. 1t was foolish and
culpable of me to have staid so LONG. \
girl in the first blush of maidcuhOol
might excuse herself on the score Of not
recognizing the signs of more than
platouic interest, but for me such IN
apology could not be other than sub
terfuge. Mr.. Prime had worry enough
already, and why add 10 it tie pain Of an
unrequiCed attachment: | would 20 on
Monday. Tomorrow we were to walk
once more and would frame some eX-
cuse. which he would never suspect, for
severing our connections.
But parallel with these reflections was
a certain element Of curiosity in my
mind as to whether Francis Prime would
be ever SO far carried away 10y his liking
for me as to ask me - become his wife
Inc, Alice Bailey, his poor, hired clerk
] wondered that [ should be especially
t,
side was at once apparent; that is to say,
the situations portrayed IN cheap con-
temporancOU- fiction. of beautiful work
ing girls lei 20 tn" alt''r by tine sons Of
rich bankers Immediately suggested
themselves. But nevertheless the thought
haunted me, and did not feel altogether
the degree Of contrition at the idea Of
having captivated him that [ perhaps
should have done. If it was not for my
self alone that lie loved me-. wh1t was
his love worth? If the lowlincss of my
position deferred him from asking me
to marry him, | was wasting sympathy
upon him and taking needless precau-
tons.
The idea reused mo strangely. and I
found myself taking edes against myself
in an imaginary debat" a. 80 the prOba-
bllities Of his conduct 1t made every
vein in my body Jingle to think that
birth or fortune might be able to affect
his decision; and it seemed to me. as
sought my pillow that night, that l al
most hated him.
In the morning | decided that | had
probably overcstimatsd his feelings to-
ward me, and that although had better
go home on the following day. there WAS
no reason why | should treat Mr.. Prime
other than Us usual HI WAS not in love
with me; or if he We're, ne was not man
enough to acknowledge H..
| shoUld refuse him if h" ia, hIt
hated to feel that had ben expanding
So much fl'en iship on man whose soul
Il Il. ! T., .