Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-28

As for himself, he was a conservative
"A conservative without money. Money
was all he needed to build up the splen-
did estates Of Clyde, which had been
slowly deoayinS for this lack during two
generations His chief ambition was to
retouch and refurbish the broad domain
Of his inheritance, 80 that its lordly
manors, ivy mantled abbeys and green
meadows might know again the peace,
poetry and prosperity of an ideal En-
glish home. There would then for the
lord Of Clyde be happiness and romance
equaled by none on earth. For, eager
to benefit his fellow men, he would hayo
within the radius of his own estate
hundred cabins to call in play his invcn-
ton or humanity, and with ones con-
science at rest, he said, could there be
purer JOY than to wander with her of
ones choice under the ancestral elms of
old England, with the September moon
overhead?
This was the Honorable Ernests dream,
but to realize it he must make money.
He had come to the States, SO he told me
when we grew moro intimate, III order TO
seek it. There were great chances in the
far west for a shrewd man with little
capital, and to find some investment that
promised large returns was the rep1 OBJ
iect of his journey thither. Already
even since his arrival in New York, he
had done extremely well. There was p
smart so he had heard him called young
fellow who had put him into several
profitable speculations; very likely l
might know him-Roger Dale was his
name; every one said he had made p lot
of money, and was one of the coming men
of Wall street. was kindly to consider
this as confidence, for he did not care
to have it noised about that he was other
than al idler here.
The Honorable Ernest Ferroll's atten-
lions, rs have implied, grew apace FROM
the evening of our introduction, and soon
attracted remark. There was an instant
recognition of the fitness of the match
even from the most envious. and Aunt
Helen was the recipient of numerous
congratulatory inuendoes. The circum-
stance of his delaying the date of his
Journey q week confirmed the general
impression of his serious views, and even
| began to feel some pangs of conscience
on the score of allowing him to fancy
that if he did come to the point should
accept him eagerly. In contemplation
of this emergency felt that it was time
for me to 90 home. We both would
! then have six months in which to think
it over,
When he should return from the west
it would be time enough for me to come
to decision as to whether | desired to
regild the poetry of his English home. ]
was certain that if he insisted on an i'm
mediate answer my reply would be I'M
favorable. But | much preferred to de-
fer any definite proposal; and according
ly, with all the tact at my command,
tried to avoid giving him an opportunity
of being left alone with me for any
length of time, without making it notice
able to him. Finally, rs he seemed
likely to become unmanageable despite
my precautions, and as he put off again
and again his day of departure, re
solved to take refuge III flight.
When | communicated this to Aunt
Helen she said was crazy. The idea OF
returning home just on the eve of real
i2ation seemed to her preposterous; she
would not hear of it. But | was equally
firm, and announced my intention Of
leaving on the morrow.
But before went wished to have on,
more glimpse of tho condition of the bank
ing house of Francis Prime and Com
pany, and in order to make my scrutiny
as thorough as possible | planned not t(
return until dark. | was curious to &c
a close look at my hero, and this seemed
most feasible when he was leaving tn,
Office for the day. At that time Their
would be little likelihood Of any on
noticing me if | stood 10y the door as h,
came out.
The afternoon passed without Incl
dent, save that ! saw the Honorable
Ernest Ferroll go into Mr.. Dale's Office
where he remained some time. he hap
pened to meet me face to face on tn
street, but justly had acquired by thi
time complete faith in my disguise. IL
betrayed no sign of recognition, and tn
flush that rose to my cheeks was badg
of quite unnecessary alarm. The hour
slipped by and the street grew still. Th
gas was lighted in the inner offices, an
few but clerks, figuring up the profits o
losses of the day, were left down town
1t was getting dark, and | was growinj
impatient | sat down in the doorwa
of the building next adjoining to rest
. l had purposely made myself look a
, dilapidated as possible, and the natura
! presumption in the mind Of any on
would have been that ] was friendleS
/ and needy, for felt tired enough t
, make weary air very natural al til
moment.
AS it CHANGED, my old enemy the 20
t liceman came sauntering by, and HI
cold eye fell on me with chilling scrr
5 tiny. He stopped and said:
Didn't tell you to move on, youn
woman? We don't want the likes {
you loaing about here"
+ Il am tired and resting. am wait
, ing for some one" answered, too muc
alarmed to take much account Of NJ
words.
r Yes, dare say. He's forgotten t