Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-27
CHAPTER Nv.
THE EASY WAY.

kA IA Ef/g@S,J cuffs, but he Kept a
I(CNsurpgNSAl% firm hold on Alden's
49, &c. left arm just above
the elbow as they left the house. AL
den seemed to ne entirely Indifferent |
to this attention. When he reached |
the sidewalk, he paused, bringing his J
captor to halt. The cab in which he
had come was beside the curb, and AL
den, using his free hand, helped Brcn-
da into the vehicle.
1t is not customary for New York po-
lcemen to daily while their prisoners
perform the gentle courteses of polite
society, but Alden's deadly calmness
prevailed in this instance.
"Home" he asked.
"St. Winifred's,' replied Brenda.
"Please tell him TO drive fast"
Alden gave the order and then, ad-
dressing the young woman, said; Il
shall be there soon. They dare not
hold me-"
Brenda would have spoken, but the
horse suddenly started under the whip,
and the cab lurched on the rough pave
ment. The last glimpse of Alden lift
ing his hat while the huge policeman
Eripped his left arm remained with
Brenda like persistent nightmare that
survives the dawn. The conventional
courtesy stuck in her mind. 1t was
little picture of the old days, the time
of small pleasures and easy living, so
sharply brought TO an end. Every
shing in life had suddenly become diff
fcult. Words must be weighed and
ones conduct guided by q plan, not left
TO mold itself into the forms of mere
usage. And thus she came to think OF
what she should do and say at the hos
pital. How meet the emergencies that
might arise? Had Elsie regained her
senses? Had she spoken, or did she lie
dead at that moment i'll some small,
bare ROOM watched by n stold nurse
who yawned and stretched herself as
the days work drew to a close? A por-
trait in a velvet frame-Elses mother
Beyond IL doubt-recurred sharply TO
Brcnda's memory, and she shuddered.
1t had stood on the dressing table-a
woman not yet old; pretty, smiling
face. 1t was dreadful to think of that
face smiling there all that afternoon,
the eyes looking, yet seeing nothing.
the lips unable to utter n cry.
Il must put it out Of my mind" said
Brenda to herself.
At the hospital there was little to be
learned; nothing to be done. An elder
ly man who seemed to be in authority
said: The child is still living. We
cannot predict the ultimate result of
the injury as yet. You cannot see her
i 7 oox+
dress, and we will communicate with
you in accordance with the event,
whatever ii may be-. 1t will be useless
10 wait. II you are able to see her at
all. there will be no great pressure Of
time"
Brenda rode to her home. and as the
cab drifted through the clamoring
whirlpools OF the Avenue she was
thinking that the white haired man
had spoken almost tendcrly of Elsie as
1.-THE child
There was no mother in the Maclane
mansion. She had been dead ten
years. There was an aunt, an amiable
old lady for whom Brenda entertained
no little affection, but in the serious
affairs of life she would as readily
have taken counsel with her brother
who was not yet -. Her father, for
so strong n man as he was in the
world of finance, was a weak man n,
home. lie had no gift of sympathy, a
deficiency which may have accounted
for both the strength and the weak
moss. Brenda told him the story of
her adventures rs it has been here sci
forth and he received it with painful
surprise and lively alarm.
why did you go there?' he ex
claimed. what possible interest
could you have in this wretchcd grlY
MY dear father" she replied, will
an excellent counterfeit of smile
"lot me remind YOU that my affection
for Mr.. Alden has been the one sin
core emotion Of n sadly artificial life
When l saw that terrible story. the