Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-24
Gus wish to know"

"Do you remember that you rose
when you saw that l was not seated"
said she, "in Eses room that first ter
iible day? That's not much, but your
manner was fully that of gentleman"
81 was trained in a gentlemans home
in Massachusetts" said Elmendorf. $50
was the gentlemans dog, and we both
remained brutes."
You arranged place to listen" said
Brentss, sin that unused room next Ell
sizes. The nurse who helped you has
confessed to DR.. Kendall. 1t was she
and not you who overheard the story
told this afternoon"
"She and not ~ echoed Elmendorf
in a voice Of the dead. "Do you think
l ever listened there? Miss Maclane,
there's some limit even to what l will
do. No, no; l took the chance; that's
all. This nurse, whom | seem to have
got into lot of trouble, as I always
get everybody sooner or later-thiS
nurse listened when her duties would
! let her. l knew Miss Miller would
some day tell her story to you"
Now that you have heard the story,
what shall you 2" asked Brenda
at seems evident" replied Elmen-
dorf, that DR.. Blair is the physician
referred to in that story. He has
| known her secret from the beginning.
That was why she had him here, to
plead with him. Well, I've no faith in
Blair. He's crooked, or I'm no judge.
But he seems to have played fairly
creditable part toward Elsie Miller"
"Dr. Bairw exclaimed Brenda.
Think Of his being called to dress her
wound Think of his standing there
in that room with Neale and ourselves
and keeping his own counsel so quiet
ly! | begin to have an admiration for
him."
"Well, I wouldn't go so far as that"
said Elmendorf. "He has had his self
ish ends to serve. However, that is
neither here nor there now. 1 am
going to him and l shall make him tell
me who that man is"
Her husbands"
"Yes"
"Then what will you dor she
added.
Find him." said Elmendorf, "and
see that he gets what he deserves.
This will afford me many different
kinds of satisfaction. Miss Maclane.
shall have credit for 1t in the news
papers, and they're the only friends
I've got. My job will be safe for an
other year at least; | shall beat Joe
Neale, whom l hate devoualy, and,
lastly, shall get square with the cow
ard who struck down that little girl.
l have longed for him ever since I
first saw her. It's a poor thing to do
for her, but it's all l ever can do. I'm
afraid"
ut IS no service to her" said Brenda;
"far from it. You will reveal her
secret"
Nothing can save that" he replied.
ut is mere dream to think it can be
done"
ut is not dream" rejoined Brenda.
st shall be kept a secret if possible
She is wise to wish it, though Of
course she should tell Mr.. Alden, and
that she will do as soon as her mind
gets back to its proper balance after
it's long strain with his wretched story.
But she is right in thinking that pub
LEGATION of 1t will leave a stain upon
her and perhaps bring many sorrows
to herself and Mr.. Alden. 1t will be
distorted and redistorted In the telling
until the poor girls name can never
be clear of it. And in any case l have
given my word. Mr.. Elmendorf, will
money help:"
Elmendorf was silent.
Il think you are not man 20 take a
BRIDE" she began.
Eyes, am" said Elmendorf de-
cislvely, but not just here. If the cir
cumstances were different. why, |
could be bought and sold like my as
socates. But this isn't the time nor
the place
"You would like to get out OF this
life into better one" said Brenda.
:" suppose most Of us would re-
piled Elmendorf, except that dying ia
disagreeable.'
Brenda laughed, as one sometimes
will at funeral, from the effect OF
contrast.
81 didn't mean that" she said. II
meant that you would like another
|
think you might have very .igh ambi-
tions in another career. My father
will put you In the way Of profitable
business. but don't fancy l would
tempt you with an empty promise. l
an rich in my own right by Inheritance
from my mother, and | will be glad to
help you. We will give this a color OF
perfectly honorable dealing. and it
shall be so indeed. Take $4,000 OF
my money and select whatever bust
ness pleases you. and will be silent
partner. an equal partner, in the en-
terprise."
Fifty thousand dollars" said FL
mendort, with awe in his tones. why,
Miss Maclane, this is what l have
prayed for The idea OF a tenth OF il
Is the explanation OF my going on the
force And to think that it should
come at last in way that can't touch
1t! Billy Elmendorf's luck as the boys
say"
At this moment Kendall. passing
through the corridsx hastily, glanced
In toward the window.
Brenda! Come" he said. 1.-THE
nurse you left there has sent for me-"