Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-07-25


HIS KNEES.
passed out
The scene and circumstances had
powerfully affected the doctor.
There were difficulties I had not
foresecn." he said, gravely, "but you
have safely passed them, my friends.
And now 7 must leave you. Dick,
have placed in your hands the honor
of a woman--and my own. | will re-
turn for you before it is light. Re-
member! The gas is now extinguished
and you may remove the bsndage.'
He drew the girl towards him tender
ly. "You may trust him implicitly.
For the rest, all is now safe. Good
night, and God bless you both He
laid his hand reverently upon the
girls head. clasped his friends hand
and would have passed out, but the
Somers spoke feelingly as he drew
him aside:
"Is this necessary-this remaining?
Think how
"Absolutelv! read a decision last
week, and I must have a marriage
that will stand the test of the highest
court
"You read decision? Are you not
acting under the advice of your law
yers?"
Lawyers be hanged! I know vir-
GINA law. A simple acknowledge
mcnt before n witness. with this ad-
dition. fixes everything. Don't sulk
now Dick; it won't be long
( 81 was not thinking OF myesf."
said Somers. Good night" He stood
a moment in thought, then turned to
his companion. In the darkcned but
not dark room he saw q slender. girl
ish figure near him, the face bent for
ward and hidden in her hands.
Come he said, cheerfuliy. "let US
sit down and talk it. all over. It is
true we are married. but that is no
reason why we shouldn't be friends.
suppose. If you will find ma a chair.
I am sure you will confer a great IA
vor. BY the way, what shall / call
you? Madam or Mrs. Somers sounds
too nwfully formal. Shall say"
Call me Frances" she said simply
She understood without analyzing
that he was trying TO make it easier
for her, and was grateful,
Frances! What q beautiful name!
like it already because 1t is the
feminine OF Francis. Yes, the arm
chair will do, and I shall sit hero by
the table. And your Oh, seem 70
see You snug in the rocker in front
This. suppose, Is the proper arrange
m.nt for a family party when the
meter isn't working; but 1 know very
little about it. | never was married
before, and l suppose YOU are equally
in the dark" II made him happy TO
hear her friendly little laugh, even
though it was instantly checked.
"By the way" he continued 40 you
know anything Of me? | am TO ask
no questions concernin YOU. but sup
pose we may talk about nae, may We
not?"
Il know that You are friend OF
DR. Brodnar. and what he has tod me.
You are a stranger in Richmond and
gentleman. But l would have known
that you are gentleman anyway.
Thank you, Miss Frances; that was
nicely said"
"Frances!"
miss Frances," he insisted.
Il am sorry" said the girl, after a
moments silence but il you wish. iet
= it remain that way"
Put | am curious to know how il
was that you so quickly decided il
nv favor the question Of gentiiity,'
, NV mother told me, when | was lit
tie. that any man in whose presence
/ a girl or child feels at ease is gentle
man at heart, and somehow trusted ir
you from the moment you spoke. Bu'
Dr.. Brodnar told me-"
"Well?"
Told me such beautiful things
, stories of your life; seemed to feel
sir, that had known you always"
And what has Brodnar been saying
of e?-I can blush unseen"
) He told me you were brave"
most men are. And at times Al
, animals"
That you loved flowers. birds, horses
l children and old people"
= Objects that can't get away IRON
| me. Go on"
r That you are generous to fault
f ESPECIALLY my own--or his
E "And that no woman on Gods greer
earth. those were his words, ever az
: pealed TO you for help in vain. He toll
ME once he saw you get out Of your car
n riage in Paris in your evening suit
S pick up a drunken old woman who ha,
fallen, and carry her 10 a house OF ret
J uge-and, oh, sir. YOU did il becaus
= you said the noblest, the most saore
o image on earth to man should he
womans form. the form like unto tina
:. of his mother-too sacred for tn
{ laughter and ieers of city's idlers-
Z Endorse the sentiment, whosesocve
1t is, But what a sad gossip Brodna
II Isl"
II But you did do this, didn't you?"
e "Would it please you to think tina
. I did?"
d Would 10! Why, sir, il was that III a
i. made me trust you!"
Trust meP You were cryihg!"
Because -because--this is q mot
n strange position for you to find me ii
" Mr. Somers. l thought that wouldn
care; and ! did mot. until you cam'
!" But did then, And that is why criec