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

leo. There are always a certain num-


Der of people who do not hear one is in
town until after one has left. 1t was
against such that l needed 10 take pre-
cautions; and after the impression was
duly established that was really gone
I breathed freely once more, and gave
myself up to my business with little con-
FERN as to the discovery of my innocent
deceit. l had to frame such replies to
Aunt Helen's letters and questions as the
sensitiveness of my conscience would
permit.
Mr.. Prime, in his efforts to build up
his business, was evidently most diligent
and painstalung, and, as | had observed
during my early investigations, usually
staid at the office until late. OF course
never left before him, and perhaps it
was not unnatural that after time we
got into the way of walking up town to-
gether One day he happened to come
back for something just as was setting
out, and he walked along by my side.
Our ways lay in the same direction, and
it was the habit of each of us to walk
home for the exercise. 1t seemed to me
in no way dangerous or uAfitting that [
should be otherwise than at ease in my
conversation with Mr.. Prime; indeed.
was soon conscious of desire to mystify
him by giving him glimpse of my ac
Quirements. | branched off from the
current events of the day to poetry and
art, and to my qualification found that
l had touched sympathetic chord in
my companion which not even wonder
could restrain from responding. After
this it became Mr. Primes wont to wait
for Inc occasionally, and by the time
had been in his employ six weeks this
became his daily practice.
Our intimacy was curious one, for of
course we avoided all personal and social
topics i from necessity, and he doubt
less because Of the difference in our posi-
tions which he supposed to exist. But
on this very account ! got truer inn
preston of his real self, for he did not
feel the hamper of conventions in our
talk, and hence WAS not affected. He
said freely what he thought and be-
lieved; and underneath the tendency to
regard everything in a mezzo-cynical,
mezzo-humorous light there cropped out
from time to time evidences of his ear
nestness and enthusiasm, which as our
friendship strengthened were less and
less sub0rdinatel to raillcry and chalf
Not whit inferior in cultivation TO my
self ba rnsea.sad bo.ilas -, la., ,u,I,.tic
sAnse which I anvied esuaciolIv - felt
THAT il did not steel him aooinst ideal
considerations
hraor,rhila r,,, ,,of,,1,oss Of +,,a oaioa
,,,os Consistently, i,croosi,,,, Gov ,,,,, avn,
,,1o,,a, ,,o,,, 1,,.r,t, NV, -,
i,a,;e>,,,. s,,+e - G,,.,,,.;,l 49,, :
could s.e MAINLY. +l,ot bo ,,.o,. ,,,yzlod ~
nv, a,,+nosi ,,,,.,,s.ad ,I,a ia1;.f ttnt
,,,1.+ lava b.1 ev,,o,.inn,.o' aI.n,rbora
fo, acted ba .@il -! If b,d hoo,, oc'
,,l.+nmed ~ L,rlln 1,roa sn,ns oil NV,
Fr.. Tie offered nres.nt1v to raise NV
saIorv hrt declared tL.t v,bat no.
c..i,...i ,ya,,. sufficient for NV needs Much
Of tbe time | could see thot MIR Prime
wa, worried. for business. ,hourb active
WAS in AN unsettled state. and I knew
from the books that alrendv his ca,itaI
was somewhat i,ppaired. As have men.
toned. he was studionslv devoted to hi.
work. and the only recreation he allowed
himself was his daily walk with me
! often heard Mr.. Slavbac5. orr hootl1enn.
er. into whose good graces | managed tc
ingratiate myself at the end Of a fort.
night siyh over the rurenittiup in1us.
/ try Of our employer. and declare that he
would break down in health before p
twflyemonth WAS past.
/ He will succeed first. and then he
can afford 70 he AN invalid ." answered.
In, acting on the old mans sojicit,da
| did all | could TO tighten the load
One afternoon rs we were WALKING
home | noticed that Mr.. Prime seemed
especially grave and moody. and [ vent.
ured to inquire if anything seriou, had
happened.
ooh. no; q mere triAinr loss that !,
unin,uorton. IN itself but sarvas IN i'm.
press uunn mo still mora daorlv how
easy if is 10 immune and djtiirult n ner.
form " he answered "ifspr,ns tI, Sim.
nle,t thin0 IN tba world IN n,1,a g.
/ FORUM. honestly mill oua ,,rc,rnt, il .
"Rnt why arn Won, 81 ,nyiops ta ,o.l,,
. ..,I -, t.