Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-15

y
Mrs. Pcnrosc, why do you ask me all
thist"
Tho woman of the slumS and tho
woman of the boulevard faced each
other. and it was the society woman
who fclt ahlshed in the presence of
her sister, who had given up so much
TO gain apparently so little.
Pardon me. Miss Andrews. now that
| have placed you, / cannot help won.
ucring how you came TO leave such
splendid social position for for
For such Il splendid social opportu
nityf' Miss Andrews smiled her rare
smile. And then in answer to Mrs.
rcnrosc she rccitcd softly George Mac
Donald's verses with Il power that
wont deep home to Lucia and made
even Archie Pcnrosc stop his nervous
fdgcting. although ne did not conprc-
hcnd the meaning of the verses to the
three women.
/ said. I will walk in the fields. God said,
NAY. walk in the town.
/ said. There are no flowers there. He
said,
40 flowers but crown.
! said But the foes are thick and clouds
are yelling the sun.
He answered But hearts are sick and
souls in the dark undoHc
I said. But the skies nre black; there IS
nothing but noise and din.
And he wept as he led me back. There is
more,
He said. There is sin.
said l shall miss the light, and friends
viii miss me, obey sag.
lie answered Choose ye tonight if must
miss you or they.
/ pleaded for time to be given. lie said.
L. it. hard TO decide?
It will not seem hard in heaven TO follow
the steps OF your guide.
There WAS Il moment of intense still
ness when she had finished. There
WAS hint of tears in Mrs. Pcnroscs
eyes. l.uoln sat with her hands in her
lap gazing at Miss Andrews intCntlv
If John Gordon should love this other
woman. would it not be the simple at
traction Of one soul that has obcycd
the voice that says follow me" at the
cost of physical things. drawing an
other soul that is also living in obcdi-
cuce 10 the same voice:
Miss Andrews suddenly rose md
went to one of the windows that looked
out over the burned district.
Excuse me. am. of course spe-
cially interested in our plans at pres
cnt. MIR. Gordon, with some Of the
residents, has been looking over the
ground with reference to our new
park. You have heard of our recent
good fortune: We are living in n high
state of excitement down hero. \
friend has given US 100000. and we
are trying to see how much fun we can
have in spending it. If you will como
here can point out our proposed plan
or would YOU like 10 90 out there: We
can look over the house when we come
bac..'
I'VE shall he interested to go outside
and look over the plan thorc,' Mrs.
pcnrosc assrntcd, and they all passed
ont and walked slowly down toward
the group of men who We're at the end
of the street. opposite the block that
had been the last to burn. As they
drew nearer one of the men left the
group and came down toward them.
Ii was John Gordon. and even Mt that
distance it was very evident that he
was unusually reused about something.
lie was so absorbed in the matter
that was exciting him that when he
met Miss Andrews with her visitors
for he first moment he spoke to her as
If he did not recognize the others.
That scoundrcl, Tommy Randall,
Miss Andrews. DO YOU know What lie
has succeeded in doing:'
He had said that much when he real
izcd who the visitors were But even
then tho passion Of the information lie
had come To give Miss Andrews was 50
strong that be simply bowed 10 Mrs.
rcnrOsc and IllelIa rs If lie were in the
habit Of meeting them every day in
Bowen street. and nodded 10 Pcnrosc.
as If ponroSe was familiar sight in
the nciGhhorhood of Hope House.
what has Tommy Randall done
now:' Miss Andrews questioned, with
faint smile. Tommy Randall does
the heavy tragedy in Ward IS she
said to Mrs. Ponrosc.
"Kandall has bought up lots all over
this burnt district. He has closed con-
tracts for half Il dozen double declcrs
Ike the one Mr.. Marsh had put up"
John Gordon continued, entirely un-
mindful of Lucia. or, Mt least, careless
Of the effect OF what he said upon her.
lie has worked all this time we have
heon discussing the park plan. But
how could We do anythnGt' Gordon
spoke IN despair. addressing Miss An
drcws as if no one else We're present.
I'VE only had the money to purchase
anything last night. We never dreamed
that anything would get in the way of
our purchase Of mt least half the area
Randall has secured his lots all over
the district If be puts up those dou-
bic decNors, he ought to be arrested for
murder. That is what the buildings
result ill.,"
Lucia flushed and then dcflGntly
looked at Gordon as he uncOnSciouSly
said the last words looking at her. The
expression on her face smote John Cor
don into sudden realization of all his
surroundings. Miss Andrews stood
quietly gazing over the dreary pile Of
rubbish. \ man left the group at the
point where Gordon had been standing
and came walking deliberately toward
them.
Its Tommy Randall If he attempts