Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-01

q.
She did not notice his old-fashioned
and courteous salute.
"Why was not called for the six
o'clock train?" she began in great agi-
tation.
1--WE call tree times. ma'am-t'ree
times; an you say all right ev'y time,
ma am"
~ answered."
ayes, ma'am. An we t'ink, ma'am.
mebby you done change yo' min"
Something like despair came to her
face.
"The time now?"
mine o'clock, ma am. Clock des struck,
ma'am. Gem'man downstairs sen dis
cyard, ma'am, an say" The gen
tleman in question passed the speaker.
stepping across The threshold.
'You may CO." he said, curly. and
waited until the old servant had re-
tired and closed the door. Then he
turned coolly towards the woman.
"And now, madam, what does this
mean?"
Raymond"
"Why have you lef, London?" The
woman did not answer. She had cried
the name hysterically and started for.
ward; then, suddenly, drawing her
hair from her face. she shrank away
from him her gray eyes distended in
terror or the expectation of violence.
In the presence of this pantomime, the
mans face lost its cynicism and stern
ness He was unmistaka bly, astonished.
well" he said at length. what is it ?"
You here!" the exclamation was
but a whisper. II thought"
/ why should I not be here? Didn't
You write, requesting me TO come?
! was not in the city yesterday. nor
last night. and have but just received
your foolish letter. Are you mad, in
deed-that you come to this city
that you follow me up in public!--
Name of Heaven, woman, what is tho
matter with you?"
Not in the city last night! Not in
the ethyl Then-then-' She caught a
chair. "Oh, l am ill--ill!" She seemed
about to fall, but her companion made
no movement to assist her. There is
some-mistake!" whispered. Some
awful-mis take."
What are you talking about?" He
stood looking curiously upon her. She
turned suddenly. ran to him, and.
falling upon her knees. clasped her
srms about him, giving way at tho
same time 70 . paroxysm Of hyster4a
that swayed them both with its vfo-
lence. He stopped impatiently. broke
her clasp with a violent effort, and
half pushed. half lifted her into the
chair. Burying her face in her hands,
che gave way to violent weeping while
he stood by.
The man was Of medium height and
fine figure, his faultless dress and his
every motion revealing the fashiona-
BILE world. His face might have been
handsome at one slime, but something
had fed from it.. and something had
come to it since then. That which
of dissipation; that which had fed
they had no name for.
He might have been genuinely in
dignant or playing part, but he
gazed sternly a few moments only
upon the agitated woman his black
eyes cleaning wickedly; then. with a
sheer and slight gesture of dismissal
turned away. Taking from his pocket
case, he proceeded calmly to select
and hight cigarette. and walking un'
concernediy to the fireplace, tossed his
match into it. Standing with his back
towards her, he busted himself with a
hunting scene above the mantel. And
thus. presently, tho woman, ceasine
10 cry, found him She clasped heI
hands upon her chair-arm convulsive
~ and lifted her head.
With few rapid motions she twist
ed the fallen hair into position anG
arose to her feet.
when you have finished with the
picture" she said, 'lsten TO M.
Startled. he whirIed and faced her
Her figure was now erect and heac
lifted, The tenderness was gone from
her eyes. Wide open, they seemed t'
measure and threaten him. He cam'
slowly forward. the sheer upon hi:
face.
"You gave me your promise 70 re
main in London until returned" HI
said. "and You have broken it,
And you! You told me that yo'
were here to wind up some estat
matters and would return immediate
ly. You had no idea of returning
You intended to desert me. You lied
, Where is my child. sir?" The man
face flushed and grew deathly pale
He took two quick steps forward ant
hesitated. at is useless. Raymond, &
try to brighten me. You were born
/. coward-and | was not. Look TO your
self" She drew from her bosom
letter and extended it towards him
81 found this after your departure
Il is from your mother" His assume,
l Indifference vanished. Furious, h
t enatched the letter from her an
l raised his arm.
wretch"
v Take care she said, coldly, slowl
r withdrawing her hand. You are deal
$ ing with a desperate woman. You ar
S welcome to your letter. know it b.
r heart. In it l am called by vii
name-and you are told that Bird
and fortune await you at home. lo
3 came" lie was silent. you do no
= deny it," she added. With a Sigh
1 gesture he turned away and seate
r himself
r "There "a NO need 70 deny II now