Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-09-10

a tall, heavily built farmer. with nm
enormous head, thick eyebrows and
long, shaggy hair. lie lived ON Bish-
ops farm and had been brought I'D
with Alan. "Tll be dcrned eff Won
amt nimblc on yore feet though. Tvo
seed you cut the pigeon wing over on
Messy creek with them big. strappm'
gals fore you had yore sights as ligh
as these town folks
ITS that thar vest that gifts mo-"
said another. II reckon It's cut low
so you won't drap saft victuals on it,
but guess you don't do much eatin'
with that collar on. 1t don't look like
yore Adams apple could stir u peg un-
der It,"
With n good naturcd reply aud n
laugh he did not feel, Alan hurried out
Of the Office and w to his room, where
he had left his lamp burning. Ray
burn Millers hat and light overcoat
were on the bed. Alan sat down in
one of the stiff backed, split bottom
chairs and stared straight in front Of
him. Never in his life had he suffered
as he was now suffering. He could see
10 hope ahead; the girl he loved was
lost to him. Her father had heard Of
the foolhardiness of old man BishoD
and, like many another we'll meaning
parent, had determined to save his
daughter from the folly Of marrying Il
penniless man who had doubtless in
herited his fathers lack Of judgment
and caution.
q n p a n nm N nj
and Immediately afterward Rayburn
Miller turned the knob and came in.
His kindly glance swept the face OF
his friend, and he said, with forced
lightness:
II don't want to bore you. old man,
but l just had to follow you. | saw
from your looks as you left the ball
room that something was wrong, and
| am afraid | know what it is You
/ see, Captain Barclay is a rough, out
spoken man. and he made a remark
the other day which reached me.
wasn't sure it was true SO | didn't
menti--:l it, but l reckon my informant
snew what he was talking about"
Alan nodded despondently II asked
her to 90 to church with me tomorrow
night. She was awfully embarrassed
and finally told me Of her fathers OBJ
jections."
II think I know what fred the old
devil up" said Miller.
You do"
Eyes. 1t was that mistake Of your
father. AS l told you, the colonel s
as mad as wet hen about the whole
thing. He's got rope tied to every
nickel he's got, and he intends to leave
Dolly a good deal Of money. lie thinks
Frank Hillhouse is just the thing. He
shows that as plain as day. He no.
ticed how frequently you came to see
Dolly and scented danger ahead and
simply put his foot down on it. Just
as fathers have been doing ever since
the food. My dear boy, you've got a
bitter pill to take, but you've got to
swallow it like man. You've reached
point where two roads fork. 1t is
for you to decide which one you'll
take"
Alan made no reply. Rayburn Nil
Ter lighted a cigar and began to smoke
steadily.
IT'S none Of my business" Miller
burst out suddenly, but I'm friend
enough Of yours TO feel this thing like
the devil. However, l don't know
what to say. l only wish | knew how
far you've gone into it
Alan smiled mechanically.
IF you can't look at me and see how
far I've gone, you are blind" he said.
Il don't mean that" replied Miller
81 was wondering how far you had
committed yourself-oh, hang i'll
made love and al! that sort of thing"
I've never spoken 10 her on the sub
ject," Alan informed him gloomily.
Good, good! Splendid"
, Alan stared in surprise.
Il don't understand he said. "Snc
knows-that is think she knows
how feel, and have hoped thar
, Never mind about that" interrupted
Miller laconically. There is chance
, for both of you if youth turn square
around like sensible human beings and
look the facts in the face"
, You mean
THAT it will be stupid, childish i'd
iocy for either or both of you 10 let
this thing spoil your lives"
{ Il don't understand YOU
< "Well. you will before I'm through
/; with you, and III do you up brown.