Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-08-08

WNMAsaEBEEsla "
WITH A SINGLE CLUMSY LOOKING GLASS
ON A TRAY.
Then the guest cast another glance
at his Weller, who just at that
moment stirred and Froaned again, un-
easily. Weymouth bent toward him,
and shook him gently, holding the
glass to his lips. The tpowsy nan was
quick to know the welcome odor, and
drank the brandy down with eagerness,
opening his eyes wide and making a
queer face as he finished.
whats ths?" said he.
"'Tis brandy" said Weymouth,
laughing boyishly. 80 you've forgot
ten how it tastes since noont"
Twas not for him" exclaimed tho
woman coming back from her cupboard
angrily. you might have cholSed a
sleeping man. she rallied at Weymouth,
and clenchcd her fist like u fury.
"Slecp, then" she said to Rogers,
who laughed little and gazed at her
stupidity but much startled. Whats
the odds, Betsy?' he faltered, as if he
knew her well.
Betsy me none OF your Betsys, .
said the rouph-lnanncred mistress of
the house, sharply; then, controlling
herself she caught up the empty glass,
and her tone changed. Some other
drink would have done for him just as
we'll" she said. in wheedling whisper,
and, returning to hsr shelf, she filed a
second glass. Weymouth observed that
it was fuller than the first, and accepted
it aminb bly,. The cross grained creature
had meant to pay him Il pretty compli-
ment in pouring him her best grog. and
re thanked her civilly, with a proper
toast TO her good fortune, as he raised
tho glass to his lips
He was still stunding before the fire
something crossed his mind at tina,
moment. The woman was by hel
table where she could see him, and
with his hand covering the glass he
tossed his head back gayly and pre-
tended to drink. She turned away with
a queer sigh. Rogers had shut his eyes
again, and quick as a flash Weymouth
threw the brandy behind him into the
ashes.
CHAPTER IL
Weymouth did not leave his place by
the FIRE, but stood there innocently
drying his muddy clothes. The fire had
caught a fagot and was cracking anC
swapping bravely; suddenly it shot up d
strange CLEAN at the side which no
body appeared to notice, though il
shone full in the face of the landlady
and showed her to be moro serene
and less excited, and presently she be
came unexpectedly laxative.
81 do feel proper disgraced to bt
found so shiftless by you gentlemen,
she apologized to Weymouth, who's,
face was in shadow. "Custon is 81
poor that there was no counting OF
anybody from weeks end to week.
end We're giving up our lease to e
to America and said that on MondaJ
we'd harbor strangers no more, and
since then I've had five companies o
travelling folk lighting down, all cry
ing for the best, and being thank fll fol
the worst before they got away.
you'll wait an hour for your SUP
pers at best" she added "I'd 10 egg
by me, but I've sent up the road bit;
cooked the last had for the folks tina
was just before We. An l amt go
but the one room to show We; thu
chimney fell as belongs to the t'othe
side the house. He'd ought I,
get t. bod" nodding at the poo
croolled-neclSed figure on the settee. ="
make bold to say l want my kitchen t.
myself. There's fire in thur-there'
somebody in there already, but She
stone deaf and crippled; an old Welsl
body as was left wi me by her son an
darter. They'll be getting boat scros
'arly, and l promised to mind her whil
they stepped along the dixie to SET