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

Mlller. IleaSe explain. Don you see
I'm simply dying with impatience?"
"You pressed the point in one Of
those talks with brother" said Adele
quite firmly, that it was impossible
for two people Of unequal fortune to be
happy together and
"Now, you wouldn't surely hurl that
rubbish at me- broke in Miller. II
never would have dreamed of saying
such thing If had not thought Alan
was about to butt his head against a
stone wall in the hostility Of Colonel
Barclay If he had been fairly well OF
and she had been without money, I'd
have said sail In and take her, but I
knew what mercenary old man Bar
clay lie, and l thought could save the
boy from good many heartaches."
"That-even as you now put it
would be hard for girl in my position
to forget" Adele told him. for II
this enterprise fails today I shall-just
think of it'll shall not only be penni-
less, but my father will owe you large
amount Of money that he never will be
able to pay. oh, could not bear TO so
to you under such circumstances! l
have always wanted my independence,
and this CRATES on my very soul"
Their eyes met in long, steady stare.
"Oh, you must-you really must not
see it that way" houndered the young
man. You VIII make me very miser-
able. I can't live without you, Adele.
Besides, shall not lose by the loan l
made to your father. The land will
bring the money back sooner or later,
and what will ii matter1 You will be
my wife, and your parents will be my
parents. Already l love them as my
own. Oh, darling. don't turn me down
this way! Really I can't help the turn
matters have taken, and if you care for
me you ought not to wreck our happi-
ness for a silly within like this"
She sat unmoved for moment,
avoiding the fervid glow of his passion
filled eyes.
"If this thing fails I shall be very un-
happy" she finally said. Its success
would not make me rich, but 1t would
remove a debt that has nearly killed
me. l have never mentioned IT, but II
has been like sword hanging over my
happiness"
"Then 1t shalt not fail" he told her.
ut shall not fail! If those blockheads
vote against it, I'll buy the right of
way if 1t takes the last cent I've got"
This forced a smile to Adele's lips
Then we'd be rs deep in the mud az
we now are in the mire" she said
Just then Pole Baker came to Miller
Il don't want to make no break" he
said, "but I've got a idea I'd like to
work on them hill Billies in the jury
room il you hain't no objections.
hain't got time to tell you about 1t, but
as you are a-runnin' the shebang
thought I'd ak permission"
"Go and do what you think best,
Pole" said Miller recklessly. I'VE can
trust to your head, and anything is
better than nothing just now. really
think it's gone by the board"
"All right, thanky'," said Pole as he
shuffled away. He marched straight
to the jury room and without rapping
ops7ed the door and went in, closing
the door after him. He fouad the men
all discussing the matter and was de
lighted to find that the strength of the
opposition now rested chiefly in Bartel
and few men who seemed afraid tc
pull away from him. Pole slid up tc
Bartell and said as he drew him to one
side. Say, Mr.. Bartell. what on eartt
have you got agin Alan Bishop"
why nOthin', Pole, as | know of, >
said Bartell rather sheepishly. "Nothin
as know Of"
We'll, it looks to me like you got g
mighty pore way O shown good will
Why, he's the best friend you got, Mr.
Bartell, an totes more votes in his ves
pocket fer you than any man in this
cSunty."
Huh. You don't say grunted Bar
tell in slow surprise. We'll, he never
told me about it,"
"Beca'se you hain't announced yore
SET yet" said Pole. with a steady eye
and set face. why, he said t'othel
day to several of us at the log rollin-
you remember you rid by on yore bay
leadin' milk COW by a rope. Well
after you passed Alan Bishop said
Boys, thar goes the only man in this
county that has convictions an the
courage to stand by em. They say he,
goin' to run fer the legislator, an eff n
does I'll do all l kin to elect i'm. Hell
make the best representative that We
ever had. He's got brains, he has"
you don't say" Bartelrs face
beamed, his eye kindled and flashed.
That's jest what"
II hadn't the least idea he was fel
me-" said Bartell. drawing deeI
breath. "In fact, l lowed he would bt
agin anybody but a town man"
ALLAN never talks much" said Poll
In a tone of conviction; The acts whel
the time comes fer it. But, la me, Mr.
Bartell, this Is agon' to break him al
to pieces. He's in love with old Bar
clay's gal. an she is with him. Eff h
puts this road through today he'll 81
his daddy out O. debt an Barclay will
withdraw his opposition. | don't know
how you feel, but I'd hate like smok
to bust man all to flinders tina
thought as much O. me as Alan does c
you"
81 never knowed he was fer me,
was Bartell's next tottering step In tn
right direction.
"Well vote fer the right O. way, ar