Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-10

doings for an hour or two were wholly
unknown to the police. At 3 o'clock he
appeared at st. Winifred's hospital,
where he was informed by DR.. Kendall
that Elsie would receive him presently.
At that moment Elsie was confding
to Brenda her opinion that MIR. Alden
would suffer grievous disappoint-
ment.
"ile won't expect to see me like
this" she said. ~ look like deaths
head on a handspke, as my cousin
Billy says. Billy was in the naval re-
serves during the war and prevented
the Sraniards from capturing New
York. but that's another story.
Brenda. If should put on Just little
bit of rouge don't want to frighten
him"
you don't want to think of rouge
for ten years" replied Brenda. "And
besides. my dear, you haven't any.
Moreover, he won't know how you
look; he will be too glad to see you
alive"
"Of course you think l am very
trivial and absurd" said Elsie. but do
you realize that he may not see me
again? No one can know precisely
how am hurt. This wound may be
suspects or will tell. A break of wall
as thin as paper a little blood spilled
here beneath my hand. and | am gone
in a moment. Perhaps tonight: per-
haps even while he sits here beside
me. And this last sight of me will be
the memory he will carry as long as he
lives. | want 1t to blot out the face Of
every other girl that he will ever see"
"Then don't blot out your own with
the contents of rouge pot" said
brenda. "Hark! They are coming
along the corridor"
She stepped to the door and ushered
in Alden and Kendall.
Alden had the pale. set face of
Nathan Hale going to execution. AS
often happens with man too strenu-
ously prepared. his eyes failed to TO-
Gus, and he stared for a moment at
Elsie without really seeing her. Had
she been the wasted and pitiable OBJ
iect that his ineXperience led him to
expect he would probably have borne
the sight of her with great fortitude,
but when her face emerged from the
nists of imperfect vision precisely
Elsie's, with every well remembered
attribute of beauty, 1t was an attack
upon an unprotected spot in his de-
lenses, and every drop of blood in bis
body cried out with the voice Of one
great sob.
"This is what was afraid Of" nut.
tered Kendall. "Confound him!
knew he'd break down."
| He glanced uneasily ut Elsie, but she
seemed quite calm. She extended her
hand toward Alden, and he kissed It
falling on his knees beside the bed.
You must not feel sorry for me-
said she. Il am very comfortable. ant
| waste no time in plying myself. II
was very kind of you to send the VIC
let's"
Dear little girl" he said. still kneel
ing, every minute of my life shall be
yours to make this right"
"You are not to speak that way" re
piled Elsie, with that manner which
accompanies long considered words
You have your own life to lead. ior
must not spoil it for me-"
Alden's face was gray with anxiety
as he looked into Elsie's.
Don't say We have gone back; thai
it's all like long ago" he began. But
the warning eye of the vgilant Ken
dali, who had softly stepped to the
head Of the bed, upon the other side
checked this plea. Alden writhed will
tie effect. but his will held him.
81 mustn't worry you" he said; then
with half an eye on Kendall: Elsie
who did this: Tell me, little girl"
Il don't know; really don't" sh,
answered. why do you think that
doT'
Again the doctor silently protested
and Alden took heed.
Il had not heard 1t from you" he
said. But let us put it out Of oul
minds. What can | do for you? l.
there anything you need? We viii
hold conference on the subject"
Brenda would get me anything il
the world" replied Elsie. she has
been as good as two mothers TO me
Brenda. what do wantT
Pest and an easy mind and you,
real mother as soon as she can come,
replied Brenda. AS to MI Alden!
contribution would suggest n prett,
picture or two to put on the walls
They would relieve the eye. Elsie ha'
asked for Tantalus. but the art com
mttee, consisting of DR.. Kendall ant
myself, refuses to hang him
"'rhe art committee is all right" sait
Alden. II shall submit some pictures
to it with confidence"
Thus the talk driftcd from topics TOT
exciting, and some minutes were spen
pleasantly aud conventionally enough
Then, rs Alden was about to take hi
leave. Elsie suddenly began to weeI
very bitterly and without apparcn
cause. for it was parting for few
hours. To Brer-la afterWard she sale
n explanation. "To think that | nigh
have died and never have seen hin
agalnw
AS the matter seemed to involve thu
Lpalth of the patient and certainly TIT
regulation of Mr.. Alden's visits Bren
da considered herself bound to repor
The remark to DR. Kendall.
at is all very mysterious to me-" SAT-
he "She loves him with her soul an,