Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-18

OF telling him the reason for her sud
den aversion for him.
There was but little doubt that he
had noticed her dislike for him. but he
was too proud and sensitive to men,
ton the matter to any one. He was
not kind to speak of such personal
questions even to DIR. Squircs. For
several days he remained away from
the Stetson mansion, sending me over
twice day to inquire after Miss Stct-
sons health. l never saw her myself
In any of these visits except the last.
Then, instead Of sending the message
down to me by one of the servants she
called me up to her library.
The first thing I noticed about her
was peculiar careworn, suffering ex-
preston on her face Under the dark
eyes and around the lips there were
delicate lines and tints which revealed
more than words. She had suffered
and was doomed to suffer more. Pa
thetic acceptance of her lot was ap-
parent on every lineament of her face.
She had evidently battled successfully
with herseY and had become resigned
to her fate.
The room in which she ushered me
was an old fashioned library where
her father. the doctor had gathered
together many rare books and curios
Tho heavy woodwork, the dark paper
and furnishings Of the library cast a
gloomy aspect over the sole occupa mt.
and her white face cleaned out Of the
darkness like an old fashioned picture
in a somber setting. In spite OF her
surroundings she was still beautiful.
more beautiful it seemed to me than
when fully exposed to broad daylight
Hers was beauty that did not fade
in light or shade.
You come from Mr.. Goddard with
message for me-" she said interroga-
lively as | entered the room.
Eyes. ma'am. He sent to inquire
after your health" replied, bowling
respectfully.
And he trusts you without a writ
ten message?' she continued.
I'm this matter he does, for he con-
sidered you too i'll to write. and he did
not wish to put you to any unneces-
sary trouble"
That is the true reason" she said
quietly. HE is always very consider.
ate to me-"
"He is to every one" added, wish
Ing to show my devotion to him.
Yes. yes; he is kind to all. He is a
good man."
81 have never met better, ma'am,
II you will permit me to say it, and
world. He Is always thinking Of other
people, and If he does wrong l believe
he has some good rea son for it."
She looked at me as II she liked to
hear me praise him. and when ! stop
ped her expression seemed to say, go
on. 90 on: it's music to me-" But
knew my position and would say no
more.
as Mr.. Goddard well himself?" she
asked when she found that was
mute.
Yes. Except for an attack of poison,
which has now gone away entirely.
he has been very we'll"
She turned shade paler and then
flushed Il little as she remembered that
| had been present on the day when
she tainted.
"Oh. yes; | remember he spoke OF the
poison the last time saw him." she
sad IN moment, recovering her men
tai pose. ''Have the spots or eruption
entirely dsappearedi"
ENTIRELY, ma'am. There are no
signs Of any left"
Il suppose DR.. Squlres gave him
something to cure them"
| knew that she was thinking Of the
doctors cure for leprosy and that she
imagined he had given my master
something which would drive away
the first symptoms of the disease. at
least temporarily. But l knew differ
emily, and courted the opportunity to
disabuse her mind of the mistake.
mo, ma'am; the doctor did nothing
for my master" | answered. II gave
him something which cured the erup-
ton
You? What did you know about the
matter?"
mot very much, ma'am. except that
! had been poisoned once, and l re-
membercd what helped me. | asked
my master to let me get him a bottle"
"a bottle of whatT"
witch hazel. 1t was one of my
mothers cures for poison from ivy or
sumac."
And that cured hm?"
Her face frightened wonderfully.
She began to realize that she had been
a victim of her imagination.
completely" | answered.
Then it was not-nothing more seri-
Gus than ordinary poison she added,
with sigh of relief.
Nothing, ma'am."
She gave expression to her relieved
feelings in a short laugh. The sweet
ness of il made me turn my head to
look at her. The beautiful face had
suddenly lighted up so that it seemed
almost divine in its expression. Here.
| thought, was true love, and willing
ly adored her for it.
Pardon me-" she said after a mo-
ment of silence. II was thinking of
something else which amused me.
You must take a message to your mas.
ter"
She walked toward the library table
and drew pen and paper from IA draw
er. She hesitated a moment and then
added: