Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-28

DuI tUeTe is u ROOU UPBl more TO No.
than that. 1t has risen to point
where it Yields great social and political
importance. Candidates for Office like
to call No. As men their friends. 1t is
far from being Sunday school, and the
common run of the clergy would probably
not feel much at ease In the society Of
its members.
But this story does not deal with No.
As affairs 80 much as with one of its
members.
His companions noticed that Tim was
unusually silent this evening.
Billy Newcomb, who had happened to
be rabbit shooting upon Coatue when
Tim had taken on his cargo, had been
keenly interested in the adventure.
While others were seeking solicitously
for the cause of Tins silence he was
biding his time. All they had got out of
Tim had expressed about a. much as a
crows croak, but Billy got rise.
"l'll tell you what's the matter with
Tim. He's in love-"
Never" one declared. "Tim's the last
one"'
well. I'll bet you It is so, for seen
him with that Hayward girl. scallopn.
today. So now!"
Now, | jest want to know" said an
other. well, well, if it's so. I'm glad O.
1t. It's high time. Tim, an l wish you
we'll"
Others wished Tim well, too, so thor
oughly and increasingly that he had no
time to explain, if he had had words to
explain himself, which may well be
doubted
He returned home to his mother early
that night, and the next thing he went
to see Persis instead of going to No. 4.
He was received with n warmth that
brought the blood tn his face and kept it
there for the rest OF the evening.
The conversation was mainly devoted
to the past season and the prospects Of
the next and the probable market quo
tations on scallops when Lent came.
1t was only when Tim started to go
that he approached the subject Of his Wis
it with trepidation that was plainly Wis
ible to Persis, as it might have been to
any one.
Il wonder" he began-that is, I was
thinkin sorter-that is, whether you'd
ever danced. Don't want to seem inquis-
tive. you know, only kinder thought I'd
like to know"
Nv by. yes, Tim, can dance, an like
to, what's more"
WELL I'm glad-that is, might be il
only Tins arms, in series Of ges-
lures not modelled after the Delsarte sys-
TEN, were vainly trying to help him ex-
press himself. you see," he continued,
I'VE No. boys have a series o dances
every winter-that is, assemblies, we call
'em-an | kinder thought you might sort
er like to GOT"
When he had at /: st saik-l through his
difficulties of speech, Tim was standing
on one leg, and there was perspiration on
his brow.
why, ya; certGnly I'd like to CO.
You're real kind"
Tim quickly turned, opened the kitchen
door and departed without even saying
good night.
Tim was himself again when he went
to No. the next evening. He showed no
resentment at the gbes which were aimed
at MIN, and they finally ceased. He only
said. you jest wait till the dances be-
GIN
This they did, and there was not q sol.
cum face in the hall when he entered it
the following week with Perss hy the
hand.
1t was happy winter for Tim. almost
the happiest he had ever known, and it
was not until summer came that he found
expressed understanding between the
pair. but then understandings are not al
ways put in words. 1t was only when
Tim and Persis misunderstood each other
that they approached the subject Of their
relations with each other.
1t happened when the summer season
had begun. Tim had appeared in new,
trim surrey, and business was good, and
the world looked sweet and lovely to him.
But, however the extremely virtuous
may feel about it, jealousy is no respecter
of persons. When Tim passed the Sea
View House. he always stretched his
neck and looked for Persis. Persis gen
orally saw him and waved and smiled.
The city people smiled, too. aud thought
it was so pleasant to see happy pair Of
lovers even in humble life"
But there were times when Persis did
not see Tim They were not many, to
be sure, but enough to crush the life out
of him. That Persis could ever be seen
laughing and joking with a stranger and
not see him when he passed killed his
heart, summoned all the baseness in his
soul to the surface and at last made
him the sepulcher Of a once happy ma
ture.
1t was all done in a minute. He did
not often see Persis, but once in the mid
die Of the summer he met her when his
resentment was hot within him.
See here Persis," he began--and
speech came easy and without hesitation
seems to me you're sometimes pretty
close to them city felers. An what do
they care for you anyway"
He couldn't have done worse. She had
stopped suddenly.