Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-26


she wishes TO soften the heart of
man.
come. come! said Mr.. Mitchell put
ting one arm about her carcssingly.
Don't cry, little woman, I'm not an
ogre. | won't tell if you don't wish
me. There. there. stop crying"
She was easily calmcd and hastily
wiped away her tears with a tiny
handkerchief Whenever | see one of
those dimnutivc appcndagcs TO wo-
lnat's toilet the thought occurs 10 me
that they are more fitted for the eye
than the nose. They are soft and sheer
and do not rcddcn the eyes when used
for hopping up tears.
Lillian was so anxious To he rpas-
sured as to Mr. Mitchers promise that
she did not notice that she dropped
this handkerchief after wiping her
eyes nor that Mr.. Mitchell stopped and
picked it up. He held it mechanically
in his hand while she spoke
oh You won't tell him. she
cried Mind. that's promise. You
see, didn't know You knew him, or
] wouldn't have told you"
She pouted her lips and tossed her
head pertly. while her eyes. sparkling
through their moisture made her look
like pretty spoiled child. Yet she
ella mcd to be wife.
II promise not TO repeat what You
have told me. but only on condition
that YOU tell me more" said Mr.
Mitchell
Tell you more" exclaimed Lillian.
again alarmed.
Yes. You must toll mo why YOU do
not wish mo To speak of your mar
riagc 70 Matthew Crane"
"Oh. no. cant tell YOU that"
"NCry we'll. Then | cannot promise
10 keep ii a secret"
well. then" said Lillian in deSpera-
ton. "thC reason is because" She hung
her head aud lowered her voice as she
completed her sentence. and the hot
blood surged to her face manting il in
blush which extended to the tips nf
her cars because were not mar
ricd.' She paused for Just mo-
ment. Then. with uplifted eyes. light
ed mp with n beam Of hopefulness that
was piteous in it's trllstf,llness. She
added:
"But we are going 70 be-
Poor child, Poor stray lamb" said
Mr. Mitchell, laying his hand revcrcnt-
~ on the girls head and gazing into
her dark eyes. wherein he saw reflect
cd nauCht but Innocence.
III oyer sin was Cuiltlcss. it is here
in tho heart Of this child" he thought.
then added aloud.
II want Ia have u talk with Won. nv
girl, a long, lcng talk. Lot us ride on
III" elevated railroad and have our
chat"
"You don't mean me any HARM" she
asked douhtfuliy.
alarm. No. indeed. my girl, I
only wish to he n friend 10 YOU |
would not harm a hair of your head.
Will you come
He extended his hand and she look
ell at him full minute hesitatinClv.
Then, with a sudden impulse. she
placed her pretty soft hand in his and
exclaimed.
Yves. I'll risk il, I'll 90 with you"
They were soon comfortably seated
in Harlem train. in one of tho double
seats in the first car, which is usually
rho least crowded
"Now. then" began Mr. Mitchell,
tell me all about it,
"All about wlNtr" asked Lillian.
"About how YOU happened TO be
Mrs. Matthew Crane without being
married"
She hlGfhcd again and looked ont of
the window. Mr.. Mitchell did not press
his question. but was content To let
her decide for herself. But he had re-
tanned her handkerchief. with which he
was toying twisting it about his fin
gers. and now he noted something
which aroused his curiosity There
was n bit Of embroidery in the corner,
n tiny spray OF lily of the valley. Mr.
Mitchell glanced from the handkerchief
20 the girl beside him Could it be. or
was this merely a coincidence: She
called herself "Ihe Lily of the Valley"
Therefore L. was natural that she
should 50 mark a handkerchief. But,
then. was il probable that any other
person would do the Same and that
this other was the mother of the in
flntf
Il don't know why | should tell you
my story" at last she said, turning
frankly toward him. "yct something
tells me Ia do it. The fact is | haven't
been very happy lately. and I've want
cd somebody to talk to about it all,
somebody that wouldn't blame me too
much ana wouldn't Scold. but would
just help me. But there wasn't any
body like that. once ON time | would
have gone to mum. but these days she's
mostly fun of gin, and you couldn't
look for sympathy in II gin bottle, could
you. now
As she talked She gradually regaincd
her coupoSure. and there was II merry
twinkle IN her eyes AS she asked the
question,
"Why. no. of course not" said Mr..
Mitchell quite seriously. But then you
know, | never take gin. Honor bright"
lie talked to her rs Schoolboy
might have talked to schoolgirl, his
very intonalion inviting friendship and
confidence, both of which she gave him
readily.
"Why. never thought of You that
way. was talking of num-. she said.
you was in luck To find her sober to-