Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-02-26

where ne T0u StOOu. StHnu SUIT he
Numbered. "You are unfit to wear the
uniform of any country. You'd make
gallant soldier in time of need, would
mt you?"
Without another word Wrinkle stood
still and allowed Ronald to sever from
his coat his buttons and shoulder straps.
Now good morning, captain" was
the parting injunction. "if you ever
dare TO drive over me again, shall sim
ply strangle you"
AS if afraid another word might fur
Their enrage his antagonist. Wrinkle re-
treated towards the house, taking long.
swift strides.
Ronald stood for moment watching
the walk towards the house, then still
holding the buttons and shoulder
straps in his hands. he sank on a rus
tic seat near the spring. His passion
had already spent itself, and a strange
revulsion of feeling came over him.
He had drawn back his hand to
throw the buttons and shoulder-straps
into the high grass. when he heard n
clear. ringing voice behind him.
Don't throw them away" and Eve
1yn Hasbrooke. her big white apron
filled with maden-hair ferns and wild
flowers, emerged from behind a thick
hedge.
Before her words had died out he
was on his feet, speechless with sur
prise.
81 heard every word" she said. with
a sigh, land at first l was almost
frightened to death. l was going to
interfere if he had--had accepted your
challenge, but when ! saw that he did
not intend to fight you l remained
silent. ] was an cavesdropper--I con-
fess that-but / simply had to listen.
1t was really terrible--your voice
your looks."
He was overwhelmed with confu-
sion.
81 feel as if / could never be par
doned, Miss 1Iasbrooke," he managed
to say, after a little pause. 81 am on
your grounds and Capt. Wrinkle is the
guest of your house.
She shrugged her shoulders and sat
Down on the seat he had just left.
Il am going to say what / really
would not say if it We're not all set
tied between you, Mr.. Fanshaw." she
was putting the stems OF her fern
leaves together in her left hand, land
that is that | do not blame you
much"
You do not really?"
For a moment she gave him a full
glance from her deep sympathetic
eyes.
Il did not sleep a wink last night
Mr.. Fanshaw. l was so angry with him
that | could not close my eyes.
came near asking my father to send
him away. From mans standpoint
/ presume you have done all that can
be done"
He sat down by her.
Il never let my temper get the pest
Of me, Miss IasbroolIe, without feel
ing dissatisfied with myself. re-
Trained from striking him when
found he would not fight. but what /
finally did was just as bad" lie was
looking at the buttons and shoulder
straps in his hands.
Evelyn laughed softly.
ne may not lave any moro buttons
here in the country" she said. and he
may have TO discard his favorite suit
for awhile"
II did it in a spasm OF uncontrol-
liable anger" was Ronald's defense.
'He deserved more than that slight
humiliation" she smiled; land yet you
must not try to conquer the divine in
clination YOU now have to pity him.
1t shows YOU are truly noble-noblc. !"
Ronald blu>hcd to the roots of his
hair.
when he refused TO fight me-" he
said. II ought o have left him. | think
! could if his reasons for not fighting
had not been quite so eXasperatinc."
II an going to help you about the
buttons and the shoulder-straps." an
swercd Evelyn. IL have a maid who
can hold her tongue. ! am going to
get her 10 borrow the captains coat
from his room, and | shall restore his
plumage."
He smiled new light in his eyes
II really think should like TO have
you do it. if YOU will" said he.
He will wonder who did it," she
laughed, land | half hope he will sus-
pect me OF knowing something about
it; he is trcsomc in all things. but he
has more TO say about his courage
tnan anything else"
Just then The plantation bell rang
"Oh. you men are awful-awful."
she went on. grown suddenly serious.
"lf Capt. Wrinkle had been Of differ
ent type you would have been shoot
ing at each other at this moment"
she checked herself; there was tense
lcok about her lips. you would have
been in great trouble for no man
can escape it who has killed anothcr).
Then he might have taken your life"
He understood, and his heart beat
wildly.
eff he had been OF different type
he would rot have treated me as he
did, and should not have been here
this morning"
She gathered up her ferns and fiow-
srs and rose.
"That is quite true" she rejoined,
with Il look towards the house. Il must
be going now; good-by."
She took the buttons and sleeve or
naments from him, and put them into
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