Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-25


pied with my thoughts to resent this
incivility, and l made the most of it
by taking n comfortable seat in the
waiting room. This room opened right
off the front parlor, and just back of
that was the library.
For some time remained seated
there busly occupied with my own
thoughts. but as time passed | became
restless and anxious to make a change.
Not hearing any voices, | rose from
my seat and walked quietly into the
parlor to look at some Of the beautiful
pictures hanging on the walls. This
liberty, I knew, Miss Stets0l would
not resent
AS l stepped into the parlor I heard
the sound of voices proceeding from
the library. l would have retreated to
the waiting room if the voice Of DR..
Squires had not arrested my attention.
l could not resist the temptation to lis.
ten TO him, for, knowing what he was.
| thought anything was fair enough
for him, and l played the eavesdrop-
per.
The porteres between the parlor and
library were drawn, and through their
thick folds could just catch the words
of the two. The first words Of the
doctor informed me that had reached
the place at critical moment.
Miss Belle you do me injustice to
say that / do not like pleasant sur.
roundings and that 1 am not like other
men in my tastes. No man appreciates
a home more than do"
81 did not mean to jnsinuate that
doctor" Miss Stetson replied II mere
ly said that I thought it so strange
you should like to live In that old de.
serted. haunted mansion"
Il do not like to live there. 1t was
not a matter of choice with me- / was
poor and had to in order to carry out
my experiments"
But couldn't you find more congen.
ial quarters without going to any more
expense"
"No-that is, none that would suit
my purpose"
There was a short pause, then the
doctor continued:
But, Miss Belle, my time in the old
haunted mansion is short. I'm going
to leave it. My fortune has improved,
and shall seek better quarters"
Has your discovery proved success.
full so that you can realize some money
on it?' she asked eagerly.
NO. not exactly that" he stam-
mered. "But I have been fortunate
in another way. distant relative
has died and left his money to me- It
is not much, but enough to keep me
in comfort for the balance of my life.
1t will amount to about 100000"
Indeed! I'm so glad to hear it, doc.
tor. Nobody will congratulate you more
heartily than 1, for think you deserve
it,"
ut is kind Of you to say IT," he said
slowly, but there is one other thing
necessary to complete my happiness"
Another pause followed in which |
could imagine their exchange OF looks.
Il would not mention this, Miss
Belle, if l did not have your own word
for 1t that you would never marry
Charles" the doctor began again in
labored voice. But when you told me
that you would not marry him
thought that there was no longer any
veuSOn WHY 1 SllOulNl tuIb my tNn lDNo
for you. Miss Belle, l loved you before
that, and I love you now. l am no
longer poor: I'm not rich, hut III have
competency enough for both of us. I
love you, and your love alone will make
me happy
trcmblod more than the doctor to
catch the reply.
please don't talk to ME like that.
doctor" she said in a voice that had
piteous ring to it. at is impossible"
"Why impossible? Nothing is impos.
sblc," he answered fcrccly. i've
learned to believe that anything can he
accomplished if we but will it. Why
can YOU not love me and marry me-"
You do not understand, doctor.
!, Please do not mention it again. 1t is
very-hard for me to say this
But will you not give me your rea-
sons?" he continued paSsionately. You
, will not marry Charlcs?'
, mo, never"
; "Not even if I cure him of every
faint of leprosy:'
. NO: | would be afraid to. I would
forever think Of thread it-believe
, that it would show itself again in cur
, children"
, Then why cannot you love me-mar-
, ry me-"
There was slight rustic of her dress
, as if she had risen TO face him. Then
, she replied slowly, but calmly:
Because, doctor, l still love Charles
, I cannot marry him, but that does not
alter my love for him. | still love him
! and always shall love him. Is nor
that an answer TO your question?
, Would you ask me to marry you when
you knew | loved another man|
An almost inarticulate sound es-
capped his lips. He also rose from his
, seat. | heard him move toward the
, porticrcs and | withdrew rapidly to
the waiting room.
There was a murmur of their voices
for a few moments, and then the por-
there's parted and they entered the par
lor. | coughed purposely to attract
their attention. Miss Stetson moved
toward me. and | arose TO meet her.
Il fear the maid did not send up my
name,' | said in reply TO her inquirins
look. "She said you were engaged
and that could wait here