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

drawing straws and the man upon
whom the task had fallen had prom
ised that he would drown the child. that
its death might be an easy one. This
was the only crumb OF comfort The
poor lady got; think of that, gentle
men, she could only hope that her son $
death had been quick and painless. The
dying man refused to tell who had un-
dcrtakcn the crime" Tho colonel
paused, stroking his gray Van Dyke
beard. "ls it any wonder that her face
is sad and her hair white"
at Is reported in Charleston that
She has had many advantageous Of
fcrs of marriage" put in Mr.. Hardy,
as he cmpticd his wine glass.
Hundreds of them" cnthused the
colonel. "Why. Gen. Beauclarc fol
lowed her about like a slave and 30 did
Senator Waugh; | couldn't count the
mon who were in love with her, but
she turned EN- all down"
The promenaders had quilted the
vcranda. and there was light touch
on the piano in the drawing-room and
a swce, voice singing an old song.
THAT is her. cried the colonel.
whose enthusiasm was not often gov
erned by rules Of grammar.
This was the signal for leaving the
table. and the men went into the big.
ancient-Iooking parlor where the
lights burned low and the breeze from
the distant mountains famed the lace
curtains into the room. Evelyn sat IN
rocking-chair. her eyes on the sing
er's face. Caroline was noiselessly
placing "A whist table and playing
cards rear the center OF the room.
She. her father. Mr. Hardy and Capt.
Wrinkle were the only ones who were
fond OF the game
But we shall interrupt the sing
ing" protested the colonel, when he
noticed the preparations.
IL shall stop if you don't 60 on with
the game" declared the gentle old
lady. smile crossing her sweet, sad
face: land furthermore, i shall not
sing unless you all talk over your
game
10 this the jovial host agreed I'M
der protest, and the whist-players took
their places. Evelyn sat at the end
OF the piano near enough to touch the
elbow of the singer. There was in
finite pa,hos in Mrs. Lancasters voice
as she sang:
"Dey amt no use fer to fret an pine,
Steady on de way, believers.
It's &c same ole WORT W 'cn de sun don /.
shine.
Steady on de way. believers"
The colonel was dealing the cards,
but he made mistake in the count,
and with low laugh he threw the
cards down. 81 must wait till that one
is over. anyway" he whispered "That
blamed thing always gets the best of
me-"
IT'S de same OF worl' in de sun an dc
Same on de hilltop an same on de plain.
So keep up 20 shoutin an keep on yo'
prayin'-
Steady on de way. believers.
"Dey's a grea, big blossom on de water
melon vine.
Steady on De wa, believers;
Fur peace come long wen you done wild
pain,
So keep up yo' shoutin' an keep on 20
prayin
Steady on de way, believers"
There was just the faintest quiver in
Mrs. Lancastcrs voice, which Evelyn
Glonc noticed. and hint OF mois ture
in her eyes as the melody died in the
still room. She turned towards the
card players. who. With the exception
OF the dappcr captain, seemed deep
ly moved by her song.
II knew ] would stop your game"
she laughed. "yCu are too polite to
enjoy lite. Come, Evelyn, let's take
another stroll
The view from the vcranda was
toautiful, and 4 the two walked back
and forth across the wide floor arm in
arm they enjoyed il silently. The moon
had risen and hung like a great globe
of yellow light just beneath float
ing canopy of tilmy clouds, Two
rows OF wind moved elms stretched
out past the great ironwrought gates
and between cleaned the white ebert
drive. On slOping lawn TO the left
lay luXuriant parterrcs OF flowers di-
versifed by wel-kcpt walks. and
smooth plots of grass. Near the cen
ter stood a fountain. it's SPRAYS gleam-
ing like rain in an April shower
against the dark background of mag
nolia trees. The air which famed
their faces was laden with the per-
fume Of hyacinth and roses. When
they had walked several minutes in
silence they paused at the window
from which they had reached the YER
anda. and looked in on the players.
Mr. Hardy was dealing the cards and
Capt. Wrinkle was relating some sort
f experience Of his own which
seemed 10 have reused the interest OF
lis host.
"Of course" the captain was saying.
the fellows challenge was great sur
prise to me. ] confess that I did drive
against him out Of pure devilment, for
| had heard what an cgotistical. pre-
sumptiTc ass he was an ! wanted TO
pay him back for throwing my Tip
IN the river as if he were the prince
Of Wales. but heaven knows. ] didn't
think I'D get bloody duel on my
hands. As you know, colonel. there
was nothing for me TO do but TO
to make him see the absurdity of the
thing"
81 suppose not" returned the colonel,
in a noncommirtal tone. Whatever
may have been his secret opinion OF
Wrinkles valor he knew his duty as
&,