Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01
great. merciless city.

Then he seat him out to Colorado be-
fore it was too late. Then Gordon
was crying. The old lady had some
thing in her sharp eyes that glittered
brighter than the eyes.
"Then this lad discovered secret
The Effinghams always were quick.
He found out that he was not the only
one Mr.. Gordon, do you know that
this friend of yours has during the last
five years sent a little colony of con
sumptive people to Colorado and paid
all their expenses there, saving at least
dozen lives? This much my grand
son has discovered. He was the first
one of them to find out his benefactor's
name and address. 1t first came to
him through an accident. But your
friend Island you did not know it? I
want to thank him. l want to tell him
how much my boy owes him. You
said he was i'll. l trust it is nothing
serious?"
John Gordon let the tears flow down
his face. His friends jealousy guard
ed secret was out at last. Now he
knew why he had so stubbornly re-
fused to go to Colorado himself. He
knew it was too late and had always
been. But, knowing it, he had put his
own life aside and had thus saved
others. And it was too late for him
now. The cynical careless, great
hearted friend suddenly grew into an
image that would always sit on the
throne Of his memory in the high place
of honor
'He is very i'll? Tell me. Is it Sc
rious?' The old lady for the first time
betrayed unensiness
John Gordon answered gently.
HE is very ill. He has consumption.
He cannot live!'
"God bless him. the old lady eX-
claimed and her tears fell fast. After
awhile she said gently:
DO you think | might see him? l
would like to look on his face
For answer John Gordon rose. parted
> the curtains and beckoned. The old
lady followed and soon stood looking
at the wasted face.
She stood a moment silently gazing,
then she put out hand, which Cor
don had noted before as astonishingly
white and beautiful for such an aged
person, and softly touched Barton's
head As she Strengthened up and
stepped back, Gordon saw that she
2 was much agitated. He offered heT
e assistance to walk back into the hall
l She accepted with an old fashioned
acknowledgment of his politeness that
i touched him deeply.
: When they We're in the hall she said
r "Will you tell him l came to see
t him.
: Gordon was thinking it over. Woult
: Barton care to have his secret known!
e "Yes, | will tell him.
= II think it will be better to let hin
know. Yes, it will be better" the ole
:. lady said with approval. "The time
4 will not he long. VIII you write nj
: when the end comes for him.
YES madam. | thank you for hin
= that you came
:, THE pilgrimage is brief at the lon
t, gcst," she said with a strong gravit,
II that was far from gloom. But sure
e " your friend has redeemed his time
e am glad | saw his face. Yes glad.
l. Gordon offered to sec her to TIL
e train, but she firmly refused to be o
e any trouble to any one. Il am abb
l, to go alone. A carriage is waiting fo
n me. Good night sir, and God be wit
d you
Good night. madam" replied Coz
Y DON Williams appeared and opene
II the door Gordon insisted on seein
her down the steps and into the cal
It rage. He had shut the door and tn
q driver had just started his horse whe
d the old lady stopped the driver with
r. word, her iiue sharp cut face loohin
re out Of the window.
n Tell your friend I will write.
It will not he long before we shall meet.
a The carriage went on. and Gordo
l walked up the steps and into the ha
with feeling that he had been dream
% ing But the perfume of a cedar ches
~ Just opened alter a long sea voyae
fingered in the hall and followed hil
into the rooms as he thoughtfully woI
~ in again and took look at Barto
=. before resting.
," In the morning when Gordon cam
out OF his room he found Barton u
, and whistling.
~ He noticed his friends apparent
'o improved condition.
"You had caller last night aftt
~ you fell asleep"
49, THAT so? Some one from the o
-. fice?" Barton asked carelessly.
-. An old lady Off an East Indiana
~ dated 1885"
~ I'm too tired to guess. Explain"
Here is her card" Gordon hande
=. 1t to Barton.
Ut "Mrs. Captain George Effinghar
he Salem" Barton read. Then his cheel
he showed a color In addition to the u
natural glow there.
lie Gordon went up and put hand &
his arm.
IA David, l Lnow now why-why"-
Say, you aren't going to cry, a
you?"
W. "Cry! I've been crying all nigh
he To think that YOU
ne "Well, why shouldn't l enjoy tril
to to Colorado, even if l can't personal
en- conduct them? Tell me about the o
a lady Etiingham said his grandmoth
IN was going on hundred. Sorry
III missed seeing her. l expect she is
In picture"