Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-11-09


not been with them. He had offered his
ARM he bent toward her as they walked;
he looked into her face with look she
dared not meet. His eyes said Il love
you," just as jacks eyes had once told
the tale. Suddenly, to her amazement,
she discovered III her own heart an an
swcring thrill, knew that the emotions
that she fanred long since dead were
strong within her, knew that she was
capable of love more ardent than that
which sine had felt i'll the glad past.
This man loved her, she loved him.
and it had all happened as a stroke of
lightning might have fallen-''ere yet
she was aware
How veal; she was, she thought
Qknowing that this happiness within her
grasp might not be hers), to daily with
it-yet she could not forbid herself. To-
day she would be gay, what ere the NOR
row brought, and so she walked amid
the roses, and chaperoned by Miss Pencil
ope lunchcd afterward in the fine old
dining room, Phil rejoicing in the dam
ties.
The twilight was falling when they
entered their own abode.
Miss Penelope fdgetcd about, wish
ing that Winsome would say something,
not daring 10 touch upon the subject,
But Winsome was mute.
In the night silence the elder woman
arose, and putting back her curtain
looked ont across the Randolph place.
IL wonder whether it is right to pray
about such things:" she thought. Even
if she was married to that rascal she
can't be bound TO him. There are laws.
If she wasn't married. Bat here Miss
Penelope paused. aifrightcd. Oh, for
counsel!
The moon. bright in the heavens when
she drew back her curtain. seemed 10
send through the clouds and hide behind
the darkest lest she should question il.
There is something awcsome in watch
ing nature, alone with night, when one
is sad especially.
Miss Penelope shuddered. went bacl; to
her bed and dreamed bad dreams until
morning. She awakened late. Winso,ne
had prepared their breakfast. From he
pocAo; Of her apron Miss Penelope saw
an envelope protruding. Her eyes asked
a question.
Mr. Randolph has written to me-"
Winsome said. Will you read his lot
ter: 1t is your right, for | am Going to
! put you to more trouble and anxiety Oh
! my account" There was no JOY in her
face, 10 hope. It, calm had given way
to unrest; that was all.
Miss Penelope carried the missiyc to a
window and opened il.
He call, you Mrs Philip" she cried.
YES, homade some mistake when Phil
1 gave him his name" 'Ninsomo said. Miss
/ Penelope read on:
"Oh Win4o!ne" aho cried, "what II
letter, what ii beautiful lettor Oh, Win
some"
Yes. it is worthy Of the man who
wrote it," Winscmo replied.
And what are you going TO say TO
| him." Penelope asked, with ba,ed breath.
Nothing" replied Wiuso:ao. "Noth-
ing
why don't You come TO breakfast"
/ cried Phil. I've most donc.'
go ard play then, said Miss Pencil
opc ncrVously, anxious to be rid of the
child that she might talk freely.
Can | take my fairy tales to show
Blacl; Sam" asked Pill.
"Oh, ycs. Anything" cried Miss Pc
nclope
Phil scampered away over to the Ram
Golph mansion, Of course. The two wom-
en- We're loft alone.
"Nothing!' repeated Miss Penelope
~ ON Will give no answer to such let
ter as this. The man loves you as You
ought 10 be loved, Winsoue; he would
make you "A happy wile.'
Cousin Penelope" Winsome said, Il
know that he could make me happy. |
know lie loves me truly and that those
feelings Thought dead within ITO have
only slumhared | love him as well as
ho loves nc, dear Penelope, and that i,
why | cannot answer him. ! cannot
uttcr Il falsehood. / must fly from him
+ You must take us away again. Yot
must hide me from him, for / know not
what am. If Jack lives, / am still hi,
wife. If you are right my shame shall
never fail upon this noble man, even il
his love could make him overlook il. Fol
me there remains only the comfort o.
knowing have done my duty"
AS she ceased speaking a shadow dark
ened the door, She looked up. Mr.
Randolph stood there. In his hand he
held the book Phil had carried away tC
show the little negro. n volume of fairy
tales that had been his mothers in her
childhood. He held it open at the fly
leaf, aCroGs which was written: "TC
Winsome Douglass. From her CousiI
Penelope"
His face WAS pale; his eyes Were glow
ing like diamonds. He advanced towarl
Winsome, seized her by the arms, helt
her from him for moment, then cried:
Have been mad that did not know
you, even though l thought you dead?'
and Winsome, looking into his face
screamed:
Jack" And Penelope-why she never
lncW-ran away and hid herself.
An hourlRter Winsome sought for hel
mud foumd'her.