Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-15
ella managed to murmur.

|
mouth with perfumes for week." said
Archie, with an air Of disgust. II feel
as IL I had breathed In all sorts of dis.
eases"
at would be healthier for you to
keep your mouth shut more Of the
time, Archie" said his aunt; that is,
healthier for other people" She spoke
feelings that did not take account Of
any results to herself. 1t was that that
made Archie fear her.
The carriage rolled along, and no
ono spoke for several minutes. Luella
was dumb. She looked out Of the win
dow on her side and Archie fidgeted in
his corner opposite.
That's a remarkable situation down
there" Mrs. Penrose spoke contom-
platively. Two hundred thousand dol
lars to spend and checkmated by Tom.
my Randall. 1t looks like n hopeless
case for them. or course he won't sell
his lots, or IL he does it will be at
runous prices. The devil seems to be
on top all around at Hope House. The
only chance Is that Gordon can in
some way bring Randall to time on the
ordinance violation. Do you think he
will do it ?"
81 know he will try" Lucia man
aged to say.
TRY. But will he succeed?'
"He will If any one cam
at isn't fair to ask him TO face all
that horror slone. He needs compan-
ionship." Luella started. Mrs. Penrose
saw It, but went on. lie ought to have
a wife. Miss Andrews and he seem
made for each other, don't you Think
Lucia coldly returned Mrs. pcnrosc's
smile and then looked out of the win
dow again.
Miss Andrews is only eight or ten
years older than Gordon, | should say.
But that's no obstacle. Eve always
held that the woman ought TO be older
and more experienced at the beginning
of marriage. Then the man can catch
UP, not in age, but in everything else
Don't you think so, Luella:"
I'm not a Judge Lucia answered
in an icy tone. If the carriage had not
been going SO fast she would have
opened the door and stepped out.
Archie broke in with his drawing
note.
Its easy enough 10 see that they are
good friends. | should say it would
make a good match"
Lucia was cnragcd at them both.
Mrs Pcnrosc. whatever her reason for
saying what she did, saw that she could
not safely 40 on.
There's Cousin julius. believe Cor
don can get help there. if he could only
bring Il ease against Randall in Cham
bers' court. Julius doesn't fear man or
devil. 1t is worth considering"
The carriage drew up ut the renrosc
mansion. Luolla lived three blocks
farmer down the avenue.
"lll see Miss Marsh home said
Archie. Mrs. Penrosc hcsitatcd mo-
mcnt as the carriage waited.
Every We'll" she said, and with q nod
to Lucia she left the carriage, and
Lucia and Archie went on.
Lucia did not say Il word to Archie,
but stared straight out of the window
When the house was reached. she said
mechanically. "Will you come in:'
THANK you. will be glad TO-" Archie
replied with alacrity.
When they were in the drawing
room, he gathered up courage to say,
Miss Marsh, will you give me few
minutes Toto make Il few rcmarks?"
He did not mean to say that at all
For the first time In his life he WAS as
near being IN love as it was possible
for him To be, and in so far as the ex-
pcrience was new to him he was emo
/ Died 10y it, BctWccn the two unusual
events in his life he presented curl
Gus combination of bashfulncss and
eTrontery. He had chosen the time for
telling Lucia of his feelings with sin
/ gular misfortune to himself He sup
posed she WAS snarting from Il quar-
| rel Of some kind with Gordon. His
shallow reason led him to believe that
/ her feelings would be soothcd by the
devotion OF another suitor, and so he
blindly went ON, gaining confidence as
Lucia sat perfectly still. her hands in
her lap, apparently listening 10 him
Miss Marsh Luela-it IS no secret
~ you, 1 am sure, lIllt l nave lCl.o
adorcd you'-hc WAS nearer the truth
than was uSual for him--"b my dc.
Votion will surely count in my favor
WIN you-w!l YOU entertain the
thought Of me rs a--a-suitor: Will
you permit Lac. Luel!n, 70 have some
hope of some time winning your a:fcc-
tons? | love you truly" He spoke In
Il sincere manner, for he felt what he
suld. Don't say no to me Think II
over. Give me some hope. Luclla"-
He WAS astonishod TO see her slowly
rise and without even looking at him.
without 50 much as a gesture of any
kind walk cut of the room. leaving
him sitting there on the edge Of his
chair, with his hands clasped in an
appealing manner.
He sat back in the chair and waited
Al the end of five minutes OF blank
silence he rose and went out into the
hall.
please tell Miss Marsh | will call
again" he snid, with CHASTITY smile,
to the fo0tman who was louMgine
/ there
lie went out and walked az fast as
he was ever kIcTn to 90 TO his aunt's.
she was in the library and received
him good naturally.
"Wcli. young man. what did you