Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-02-12


game. think Mr.. lee very amusing al
ways, but ] sometimes fancy be lacks feel.
ing"
"Fcel'ngl You don't know him, Kate,n
said Mi-s. Hale quickly. She stopped herself,
but with half smiling recollection in her
dropped eyelids.
"Wcll, he doesn't look very amiable now,
stamping up and down the veranda. Per-
baps you'd better go and soothe him."
I'm really so busy just now said Mrs.
Hall, with sudden and inconsequent energy;
"things have got drcadfully behind in tho
last week. You had better go, Kate, and
make him sit down, or he'll be OVERRIDING II.
These men never know any medium-in any
thing"
Contrary to Hates expectation Falkncr
returned earlier than usual, and taking the
invalids arm, supported him in more am.
bilious walk along the terrace before tho
house. They were apparently absorbed in
conversation, but the two women who OBJ
served them from the window could not help
noticing the almost feminine tenderness OF
Falkner's manner toward his wounded
friend and the thoughtful tenderness of his
mnistering care
81 woalder' said Mrs Hale, following them
with softly appreciative eyes, "if women are
capable Of rs disinterested friendship as meni
never saw anything like the devotion OF
these two creatures. Look, if Mr.. Falkncr
hasn't got his arm round Mr.. Lees waist,
and Lee, with his own arm over Falkners
neck, is looking up in his eyes. ] declare,
Kate it almost seems an indiacretion to look
at Them
Kate, however, to Mrs. Hale's Indignation.
threw her pretty head back and shifted the
air consemptuouSly. II really don't see any
thing but some absurd sentimentalism Of
their own, or some mannish wickedness
they're connecting by themselves. | am by
no means certain, Josephine, that Lees influ.
encc over that young man is the best thing
for him"
"On the contrary Lees influence seems
the only thing that checks his waywardness,'
said Mrs. Hale quickly. I'm sure, If any ono
makes sacrifices it is Lee | shouldn't wonder
that even now he is making some concession
to Falkner, and all those caressing ways Of
your friend are for a purpose. They're not
much different from Us, dear
well, / wouldn't stand there and let them
see me looking at them as if l couldn't bear
them out of my sight for moment" said
Kate, whi,king herself out Of the room.
They're conceited enough, heaven knows,
already"
That evening at dinner, however the two
men exhibited no trace OF the restraint or I'M
easiness of the previous day. If they were
less impulsive and exuberant they were still
frank and interested, and il the term could
be used in connection with men apparently
trained to neither self-control nor repo,e,
there was certain gentle dignity in their
manner which for the time had the effect Of
lifting them a little above tie social level Of
their entertainers. For even with all their
predisposition to the strangers, Kate and
Mrs. Hale had always retained a conscious
attitude OF gentle condescenson and superb
GRITTY toward them-an attitude not inCon-
slstent with stronger feeling, nor altogether
unprovocative Of it; yet this evening they
Sund themselves impressed with something
more than an equality i'll the men who had
amused and interested them, and they were
perhaps little more critical and doubtful of
their own power. Mrs. Hae's little girl, who
had appreciated only the seriousness Of tho
situation, had made her own application OF
it, Are you DOWN away from Aunt Kate
and mammal she asked in an interval Of
silence.
How else can get you the red snow we
saw at sunset the other day on the peak yon.
der said Lee, gayly. Ill have TO get up
some morning very early and catch it when
IL comes at sunrise
What is this wonderful snow, Minnie, that
you are tormenting Mr. Lee for' asked Mrs.
Hale.
oh! its fairy snow that he told me all
about: it only comes when the sun comes up
and goes down and if you catch ever so ittlo
OF it in your hand it makes all you fink you
want come true, Wouldn't that be nice"
But to the child's astonshment her little
circle of auditors, even while asserting,
sighed
The red snow was there plain enough tho
next morning before the valley was warm
with light and while Minnie, her mother
and aunt Kat. were still peacefully sleeping.
And Mr.. Lee pas kept his word and was evil
IDENTIFY seeking ii, for he and FalAner were
already urgirs their horses through the pass,
with their faces toward and litup by it, glow.
TO BE CONTINUED.