Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-05

cared TO have his picture taken. Mrs.
Fanshsw gave the visitor turkey
wing fan. and brought in some fresh
water. Mrs. Lancaster was sipyino
IL from the edge of the big cracked
tumbler when Ronald came down the
narrow creakng stairs and entered
the room.
"fou may not know who am. :"
began Mrs. Lancaster. as he stood
waiting for her to resume her chair.
after she Rad risen and given him her
hand
You may rest assured. madam, that
everybody In this neigh borhood knows
you, at least by sight. The poor and
needy have good cause for remembers
Ing you"
She started ut the sound Of hi,
voice ara stared al him for fully =
minute: her eyes were expanded in
surprise. and She seemed unable t. re.
ply to his compliment. She put her
handkerchief TO her quvcring lips.
ana when she finally spoke il was with
visible effort at sclf-control.
II hope you will pardon me-" she
faltered. "but your voice is so like
that of dear one who wa, taken
from me a long time agony h,1s-
hand. who met n tragic death dur
ing the war. Last night when
heard YOU speaking in the distance I
was reminded OF him. and now-oh!
1t is vvry silly OF me. but--you can't
imagine how much your voice re-
sembles his. and" (the speaker swal-
lowed something which seemed tn
stuck in her throat then your hair,
and eyes. and hands remind me OF his
500 very much"
Ronald had flushed red. and seemed
at loss how to proceed.
81 am sorry he said. finally. "if any
features Of mine bring UP sad recol-
lections"
81 am p silly goose" the visitor
said, with little laugh, which was not
quite her own. Il hope you received
the note | wrote you Yesterday"
Ronald bowed. At was the one thing
which sustained me-made re work
on TO tie end. / almost lost hope yes
terday afternoon. There was not a
man on my side even the sheriff was
afraid to open his mouth. a dozen men
had threatened 70 kill ne"
His auditor was bending towards
him. feasting on his features with wide
open eyes and hands tightly c.asped in
her zap.
II was almost sorry advised Won
10 try 70 save him, Mr.. Fans haw, when
the climax was reached and realized
your own peril; but now that Won have
triumphed am glad I wrote you-oh.
so glad. For your work last night
has shown NE what a noble man you
are. and"
Il think" he said. seeing that she
was not going to proceed, that the
usual haste in such matters is not due
TO the evil natures of these people.
but to certain inability to believe IN
the innocence of man accused as this
one wis
1t is certainly good Of you to defend
them as you do" said the Old lady. her
eyes still bent eagerly, searchinrly Oh
his face. "You have heard perhaps of
the capture and confession Dt the real
lie told her he had just received the
news.
"Ther." she went on, The boy will
be released, viii he note"
"Oh. at once, Of course"
"Do You intend to see him before he
leaves?"
Ronald told her he was ~oing 10 ride
to town and persuade the prisoner to
finish his journey By raj.
"Ah, I am so glad. for that IS what
came TO see You about. Ihave brought
him a little gift; understand h,s
mother is old and needy. hope it VIII
pot trouble you TO deliver IT to him."
IL shall 90 il with a great C4al OF
pleasure" he told her
AS she gave him the roll Of bills
which she took from her purse her
eyes stead ed themselves on his face.
There is another thing Mr. Fan
shaw" She taltered. 81 hope Won VIII
forgive me if am prcsuming. but since
have heard how hard Won are s:-ug-
Cling 10 fit yourself for YOUR chosen
profession l have been ashamed Of nv
self for the idle, aimless life am lead
ng. | have far moro money than !
an use, even if were Young. and You
see am getting old. Ifyou wonld only
allow ME to instruct my banker to"
He understood VIVA, She intended 20
,ay and the flush which had died out
4 his handsome face returned.
at is most kind Of you" he inter
'upted, land under some circumstance
ifrl In RI az