Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-23

his hurry 10 assist me. MY taleHuel
nephew, young HopctounP "a really
brilliant young fellow. Arnold Hope
tounl' You will be serving me, me per-
sonally!' l can hear him! thousand
IL year? In no time at all l shall DC
drawing two, three thousand n yearl
Well have bays in the carriage, Bella,
and brougham for night work."
They both laughed.
"Go and see what Miss Drillingham
says" advised Bella. go and put it TO
her; and jf, like Barkis, she is willing,
we'll play the farce out. When shall l
see you AGAIN."
"lill ask leave tomorrow. If she con-
sents, I'll write you at once; If she re-
fuses. I'll come and tell you so. wish
she knew you, Bella; it would make her
the more anxious to help us. Your
illnesses don't do you anything ike
Justice, darling, upon my word!'
He applied for leave, and got it, al
two mornings later he was steaminS
out of Euston prepared to put his idea
into execution. He had announced his
impending arrival by telegram, 1hd
when he reached the Deercourt plat
form, he saw the dog-cart was waiting
in the lane behind the gate to meet him.
Ten minutes drive brought him to
the house. Drillingham and his cousin
were in the morning-room.
"Glad to see you, Arnold" said mis-
uncle. IL have been thinking of you
good deal of late"
How are you, Arnold?" said Kate.
1--WE were very glad to get your wire
Then they had lunch, and afterwards
Drillingham, who was nervous of being
brought to bay in tete-a-tete, pleaded
letters to write, and retired to have u
nap in the library, and Arnold and the
girl were alone.
They went out into the grounds.
whats the news ?" said Kitty. How
is sho?"
"She is very well, thank you, but l
am n wreck. Kate, this state of things
is awful"
IL saw your letter to papa" she said,
"and | spoke to him about it,
"And he said-2"
Gle said he would certainly bear you
in mind. / am awfully sorry for you
Arnold. remind him as often as i can
but,-well you know papa! can't say
I've done any good, though I've done
my best"
"You could do much MORE" said Ar
mold, ncrvously, "if you would"
"I?" she stared at him in surprise
"You are not blaming me, too?'
"Oh, no, no! l mean you can dc
much more in future if you will. Yor
and l were always good friends, Kate
weren't we? If asked big thing
of you-if-if you agreed with me thai
it would have the dcsi,ed effect, yo'
wouldn't refuse, I'm sure"
What are you talking about?" sh
said rather coldly. "Yes, we are quit
good frends--we always shall be,
hope. What does the preamble lead to?
what | mean is" he stammered
that you have always been very sym
pathetic, and all that. In plain Eng
fish, you alone can help me to Wi
Bella. I've come to-day to find on
whether you'll do it,"
Under a cedar close by there wcr
two rden chairs. Miss Drillinghar
sat down, her white hands folded in he
lap, little quicker of wondcrmcn
gathering on her brow. Yes it was in
tinitely more awkward than lie picture
it.
However, he had gone too far TO re
treat. His cousin was waiting pa
tiently for him to proceed, and his $
! hence after so elaborate prelude WA
becoming absurd.
"Will you please tell me what yo
: have to say?' she said, quietly.
Yes" he declared, "it is neck or notl
ing-I Will"
Then he sat down on the other cha
and told her.