Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-22


The roads settled thing. They say
they don't want no specks, and they
amt agoin' to have 'em. Hoorayw
The audience was electrified by the
announcement. For an instant there
was pause Of incredulous astonish-
ment, and then the floor resounded
rom the clatter Of feet, and glad shouts
filed the air.
Alan, his face ablaze with startled
triumph, came toward Adele and Nil.
Ter. Pole worked the rabbit foot on
them back there" he said. 81 don't
know what he did, but he did some.
thing"
He told me he had a card left"
laughed Miller. 'T'll bet he had 1t 10
his sleeve. There he is now. Oh, Pole,
come here!
The man thus addressed slouched
down the aisle to them, his big brown
eyes flashing mesr%ly under his heavy
brows, his sun Drowned face dark with
the flush Of triumph.
eff you don't back me In II, I'm q
gone dog" said Pole to Alan. All I
want you to do Is to vote for Bartell
eff you kin possibly swallow the dose"
A light broke on the two men. I'll
do it II you say 80, Pole" said Alan.
mot only that. but I'll work for him IL
you wish It,"
Pole looked down and pulled at his
heavy mustache.
"Well," he smiled, 1T reckon he won't
harm us any more in the legislator
than the road IL do us good, so you'd
better support i'm. seed the bars
down a minute ago, an I didn't have
no time to consult you. I'd "a told
a bigger lie AN that to clinch this
thing"
Abner Daniel Joined them, smiling
broadly, his eyes twinkling joyously.
The old jester stroked his face and
swung his long body back and forth in
the wind Of his content. eve always
argued" said he. that what is to be
will be. an IL will be sight sooner n
most of us coun: Oh eff we'll lest keep
our sperts up"
The others moved on, leaving Adele
and Miller together.
"Oh, just look Mt mamma and papa"
she said in the round full voice indica-
tive Of deep emotion They are so glad
they are about to cry"
What dear, dear girl you are!"
said Miller softly. There is nothing
TO separate us now, is there?"
For moment they met in a full look
into each others eyes. Adele's voice
shook when she replied, II believe I'm
the happiest. proudest girl in all the
world"
Then you love me?'
Il believe I've loved you from the
very minute met you in Atlanta last
summer"
Alan saw Dolly looking at him and
waving her handkerchief, her face
warm and flushed. He was tempted to
go to her. but she still sat by her father
and mother, and that fact checked him.
Mrs. Barclay caught his eye and, ris-
ing suddenly, came through the crowd
to him. She extended her gloved hand.
You and Dolly must stop your fool
ishness." she said. "I've been thinking
of plan to help you two out If l
were you wouldn't say word to her
now. but next Sunday night come and
take her to church just like you used
to- I'll attend to Colonel Barclay. He
is just tickl d to death over this thing,
and he won't make any fuss. He is as
stubborn as mule though, and when
he has to give in it's better not to let
him think you are gloating over him.
He won't bother you any more. III see
to that"
Alan thanked her. He was so full Of
happiness that he was afraid to trust
his voice to utterance. AS Mrs. Bar
clay was going back to her husband
and daughter Pole Baker passed. Alan
grasped him by the hand,
Say, Pole" he said, his voice full
and quavering, Il want to tell you that
l think more of you than l do of any
man alive"
well, Alan" said Pole awkwardly.
yet with an ey. that did not waver, Il
kin shore return the compliment. Ell it
hadn't been fer you an yore advice, Ia
"a been in hell long ago an as 1t is
feel more like Twin straight. honest
! life than ever | did. You never axed
me but one thing that l didn't grant,
an that was to give up whisky. | don't
know whether ever will be able to do
1t or not, but by the great God above
| I'm goin' to keep on tryin', fer I know
you want it jest fer my good. l don't
want dram today, fer a wonder, an
maybe in time I'll git over my thirst"
AS Alan was about to get into his
buggy with his uncle. the colonel and
his wife and daughter passed. With a
sheepish look on his face the old man
bowed to the two men, but Dolly
stopped before Alan and held out her
hand.
You were going away without even
speaking to me- she said, a catch in
her voice. Think of it, today Of all
days to be treated like that
But your mother told me-
Didn't tell you she couldn't be re-
lied on?" broke in Dolly, with a smile.
Il have more influence with papa than
she has / know what she told you. /
made her confess it just now. Are you
going to town today?"
Yes" he informed her; I'VE shall
complete the arrangements there"
Then come right down to see me as
soon as you possibly can" Dolly said.