Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-02-01

Lucas gladly. "There are half dozen
spare rooms, and the master has begged me
again and again to have my cousin, Nine
Leroy, down here. Who is to know you
arc not my cousin? Why, truly you may
stay. Mile. Judith will not be back before
Saturday afternoon. That gives you two
whole days.
mo more" I said, with a sinking heart.
"Why, my dear, you may stay longer If
You think it would be wise. But look you,
mademoiselle, Judith has sharp eyes, and
when one looks at you closely it is clear
you are not so old as your gray hair. And
mademoiselle has feelings like any other
woman, so you can't expect her to look
kindly Oh you, even If she consents TO stay
in the same house with YOU"
saw how unreasonable, how impractca
bic my idea was, but for all that it was not
easy to abandon it. My heart was wrung
! not with mere womanly jealousy, but with
, sense of my terrible loss. 1t was dread
| full to think that another had taken my
place in Taras' heart, and that | could do
! nothing for him, nothing whatever, at a
! time when a woman's love and sympathy
were needed to brighten his long days of
! darkness And my grief was not lessened
by the reflection that had lost all that was
dear to me in trying to save him. At such
u time one cannot feel that virtue is its own
reward.
This was Wednesday. promised that
would come again that evening or the next
day and then hurried of eager to see Mr.
Pelham and learn what chance there was
of sending the money to Siberia.
My heart misgavc me the moment en-
tered the solicitors Office. He was not
nearly so eager to get me into his inner
office as he had been the day before, nor so
smilingly confident as when we parted. and
there was II depressing absence of enthu-
sasm as he closed the door and slowly seat
ed himself at his writing table.
81 have seen Mr.. Lazarus" he began,
crossing his legs, clasping his hands on his
knee and gently twiddling one thumb
round the other, land regret to say that
he firmly declines TO move in this affair
until he receives the cash"
But did you tell him that the money
would certainly be paid
YES, madame | spared no pains to con
vince him on that point. | even went 50
far as TO assure him that the order WAS as
safe as government stock, and chat
would guarantee the payment of liberal
bonus in consideration of the advance
What did he say to that
well, madame, he very pertinenty
ked why, if were so sure of obtaining
this advantage for him, did not avail my
self of the chance and advance the 1900 OF
. my own account"
"Ah, we never thought of that"
1T certainly had not entered into my cal
culations." observed Mr.. Pelham, with
serious shake OF the head.
Cant YOU advance the money" I askeC
entreatingly.
Il could, OF course, but there are two o
three serious objections to that proceeding
:. One of these Mr.. Lazarus pointed ont il
y his particularly clear and businesslike way
He said he had very little doubt about tn
| genuineness Of the affair and knew tina
the money was TO be employed in ASSISTING
the escape of an exile from Siberia. But,
said he, the escape may not be pulled oil
and then where are youH Obviously,
i | Mir. Gordon does not return, he cannot pa
the sum advanced ON his behaf-ethe
. capital or interest.
l. I'VE must find some other means of raj,
ing the money
Exactly the words of Mr. Lazarus
J. most sensible MAJ Of business, and reall
k quite anxious TO do what he can. Here
II "A telegram form says he; / have only t
e write the address and one li'tle word on
1t and send il with three or folr shillings I
c. the nearest postof1cc and in less than a
1t hour perhaps this exile may be on his wa
e to London. That one littl" word shall /
q written and sent the moment L see til
y necessary Indispensable $500.
re Cannot you help me- exclaimed
III desperation.
ir you mentioned another name in OF
lie last interview. If you would authorize n
II to apply 10 any one-any friend who mi9t