Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-07-11

pressure of his wards hands, the
warmth of her breath on his face, the
depth Of her great. trustful eyes.
"Grsat Godl what can this mean?"
he exclaimed.
He continued TO walk back and forth
across the room for half an hour, then
he stopped suddenly and rang.
James obeyed the summons.
where is Mr.. Talley?" he asked.
an the study, at work, sir" James
salute ed in military fashion.
That il ALL" The major went 10
the study, where he found his private
secretary at work AZ typewriter.
"Talley," he began, you wanted to
see me yesterday, believe"
IL did, ma ior. believe the amount
Won were keeping for me is exactly
SCOOP"
YOU are right, Talley; that IS the
amount, and, as told Won, you can
get IL at any time you wish All you
have to do Ia TO draw the check. /
will sign it,"
~ have it ready now" said the young
man, handing Goddard slip of pa
! per.
~ hope you are not thinking ~ loav-
| ing me?" said the ma jor, a he signed
the check.
mot that. but am fatty dsoheying
your iniunctions, major. You have
tried 10 keep me out of speculation.
, but the tempta ton is too strong to re-
sist. This check covers all my savings.
and yet am going TO put every cent of
| i into q. n. 6 ". railway stock
ooh. you cant be so foolhardy, Tai
leyl"
II am fortunately on the inside as
o the future outcome OF the stock
declared the young man. ~ have
Young friend. Hubert Johnson. the son
Of the Wan street johnson. You know
him by reputation. Well. this friend
Of mine happened 10 overhear a con-
versation in his fathers Office which
let him on to an important secret. His
father and other big spectators have
formed syndicate to depreSs this
stock. II has been going down like
lightning for the last two months.
1t has reached its lowest notch. They
are certainly buying all they can lay
their hands on. | know ] cannot he
running any risk. I am in a sure deal
tell you this because hope that you
will take hand. had rather see vow
make money than anyone, aior. for
YOU have been the best friend | have
ever had"
az shall not invest" answered God
dard; hut Ssh you luck, Talley
hope It will make You rich"
"Thank you major" The secretary
put the check into his pocket.
II have an important commission
for you. Talley." The major cleared
his throat, sat down al his desk,
turned in his revolving chair and
crossed his legs slight color had
risen IN his face Talley had never
seen him look 80 handsome.
* am at your service, major"
"what IL were TO tell You am
going to get married, Talley?'
The secretary stared. The carriage
of his typewrtting machine, with
which he was toying, fell with a sharp
click.
Are you in earnest, Maj. Goddard"
"Quite in earnest, Talley. l have
decided to marry my ward"
. Miss Briscoe?" exclaimed Talley,
his face suddenly falling.
Eyes, Miss Briscoe. And we have de-
eided under existing circumstances,
that we will have the affair take place
- OF
want Won to drive over to Rev. Mr.
strothers at once and see if we may
come to his house tomorrow morn
ing. II he consents, then I want YOU
to attend 20 any other arrangements
without delay"
The private secretary had turned
quite pale. His eyes were expanded
and fixed in helpless stare on the
face of his employer.
"Haye you thought over this we'll
ma ior?" he blurted out. suddenly.
"Whv do you ask that?' asked
Goddard, suspiciously.
"Pardon me-" stammered Talley, 81
only thought"-but it was not clear tc
Talley what he thought
II do not understand your-your
question. Talley." insisted the major
"You know Miss Rriscoe is young
answered the secretary. "and-and she
has been so upset over your recent
bereavement that l was afraid that
through sympathy and vast interest
in you as her fathers friend and her
benerastor, she might"
II see" broke in the major; "yol
think she may hastily take step thai
might be regretted later, but you nee
not be afraid, TalIey. The truth is
Blanche and I once thought of mar
rying before met Mrs. Goddard.
think YOU need nave no fears on that
score"
, 81 did not know Of that" said The
, private secretary, his face still set auc
white Il beg your pardon. | shall
carry out your instructions. hope
, you can overlook my remark just
! now"
! easily" said the major "for il
shows your interest in me and Blanche
is more than skin deep"
, When the major had left the room
, the Young man lowered his head e
his desk. He heard the major rim.
= and order the horse and cart.
God have mercy on me! What hav'
/ been allowing myself to thinl
about" he muttered. II might hav'
lno~n tbere una sope,hiup behin,