News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-02-18

the best thing you could do would be tC
pray for No 81 to catch on fire when
the winds just right"
John Gordon made no answer, and
Barton asked drOwsily:
"How about Mr.. Marsh? YCI dropped
me line about the probability Of his
having IN interest in helping Miss An
drews financially"
Mr. Marsh is the landlord of No.
Oh"
"Sho. You don't say!" The voice
was awake again. "Then the amount
of his contribution to social settlements
is not yet made public|
'Mr Marsh has been with me through
the district today. He saw his own
tenement for the first time"
"That's good story; tell me about
it." The voice was again drowsy.
Its too late, David" Gordon remon-
stratod.
"No; it isn't. I'm going to sleep here,
] often do. 1t starts the cough if l get
up again. I'm comfortable. You'll
stay all night? You know your room.
DO, that's a good fellow. l may want
you to help me harness up the cough
in the morning"
Yes; I'll stay if you want me to.
Are you comfortable there"
Very much So old man. Go ahead
with Mr. Marsh"
Gordon had not talked five minutes
before Barton was asleep, an unnat-
ural slumber, more like death than
healthy refreshing Of wearied powers.
His whole attitude was that of com
plete exhaustion. The seal of death
was upon him.
John Gordon stopped talking, and the
tears rolled down his cheeks. David
Barton was the dearest friend he had.
The two were ten years apart in age,
but from the time when they first met
they had been instantly drawn to-
gether and had begun to love each
other
It was after II O'clock, and yet Cor
don hCstatCd to go to bed. He almost
feared that Barton would never wake
W, the paIlor Of his face, the attitude
of the body, We're SO suggestive of the
great change.
He was still sitting there, his cheeks
still wet with the tears that he did not
try to repress, when Williams came in
softly on tiptOe.
There's a queer old lady outside,
Mr.. Gordon, says she wants to see Mr..
Barton, if it amt too late. She's
mighty queer looking specimen. She
won't go away, and l thought maybe
you'd go and see her"
Barton is asleep now. He can't be
Weakened. Ask the lady to come into
the hall"
Gordon went out, drawing the cur
tains between the first room and the
wide hallway, and met in the hall the
visitor, who was promptly ushered in
10y Williams.
She was dressed in a remarkably old
fashioned style that struck John Cor
don as exceedingly interesting rather
than grotesque. She was very old, at
least ninety, but straight and vigor-
Gus. Her keen blue eyes looked search
ingly at John Gordon, and she spoke
in a sharp but remarkably clear voice.
care you Mr.. Barton"
"No, madam. | am his friend, Mr..
Gordon. Mr.. Barton is asleep and
not well. What can | do for you?
Will you be seated?"
''In a moment, SIR She placed up
on the floor a faded old carpetbag
took a handkerchief out of her pocket,
carefully busted one Of the hail
seats and then sat down. AS she
took out the handkerchief delicate
aroma was waited to John Gordon.
1t reminded him Of the fragrance
he remembered once while visiting the
East India Marine museum at Salem,
Mass, when the attendant opened an
old sea chest, lined with cedar and
packed with silk shaWs.
John Gordon was now thoroughly
awake The sharp eyes looked at him
kindly.
Il am exceedingly sorry to hear that
Mr.. Barton is i'll. l very much wished
to see him. First l must be pardoned
for calling at this unreasonable hour.
But ! had the address and saw the
light and knew that newspaper men
kept queer hours. | have called at
the Office Of the paper and was told
Mr.. Barton was at his apartments. ]
must go on my journey tonight
John Gordon Lad not the remotcst
mixing as to the old ladys errand. she
was evidently a person Of great refine
ment and culture,
How much Of friend are you to
Mr.. Baritone"
The question was so direct and frank
that Gordon smiled.
Il am his dearest friend"
"Man or wOman?" the old lady asked,
with twinkle Of the eyes that made
John Gordon smile again.
My friend has never had any love
affair He is a confirmed bachelor"
"Ah, don't deceive yourself, young
man. l am old enough to be your
grandmother, your great-grandmother
almost, and have seen a great deal Of
the world. But, pardon me; | must tell
you what / came for
She put her hand into little bag
that hung from silk cord tied about
her wrist AS she opened the bag the
same delicate aroma penetrated the
hall again.