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

me line about the probability Of his
having an interest in helping Miss An
Grews financially"
mir. Marsh il the landlord Of No.
o."
"Sho! You don't sayw 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.
strated.
mo; It isn't. I'm going to sleep here.
I often do. 1t starts the cough If get
up again. I'm comfortable. You'll
stay all nigbtf You know your room.
Do, that's a good fellow. l may want
| you to help me harness up the cough
| in tho morning.
"Yes; III 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-
uial slumber, more like death than
healthy refreshing Of weared powers.
His whole attitude was that of com
plete exhaustion. The seal of death
was upon him.
John Gordon stopped talking. and the
tcuss rolled down his checks. 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.
1t was after ii o'clock. and yet Cor
don hestated TO go to bed. He almost
feared that Barton would never wake
up, the pallor of his face, the attitude
of the body, We're SO suggestive of the
great change.
lie was still sitting there his checks
still wet with the tears that he did not
try to repress when Williams came in
softly Oh tiptoe.
"There's a queer old lady outside
Mr.. Gordon. says she wants to see Mr.
Barton, if it amt too late. Shes d
mighty queer looking specimen. Sbt
won't go away, and l thought maybe
you'd go and see her
Barton is asleep now He can't bt
wakencd. ASK the lady to come into
the hail.
Gordon went out, drawing the cur
tains between the first room and the
wide hallway. and met in the hall thu
visitor, who was promptly ushered il
by Williams.
She was dressed in remarkably ole
fashioned style that struck John Cor
don as exceedingly interesting rathe
than grotcsQuc. She was very Old a
least ninety, but straight and vigor
GUS Her keen blue eyes looked search
ingly at John Gordon. and she spok,
in sharp but remarkably clear voice
. Are you Mr. Barton:"
mo, madam. l am his friend, Mr.
GOrGon. Mr.. Barton is asleep ant
not well. What can l do for you
viii you be scated:'
in Il moment, SIR She placed up
OH the floor faded old carpetbae
took Il handkerchief out of her pocket
, carefully busted one of the hal
seats and then sat down. AS sh
took out the handkerchief deicat
aroma was waited to John Gordon
1t reminded him VI the fragranc
he remembered once while visiting tn
East India Marine museum at Salem
Mass, when the attendant opened a
Old sea chest, lined with cedar an
packed with silk shawls.
y John Gordon was now thorough
awake. The sharp eyes looked at hiI
kindly.
Il am exceedingly sorry to hear tina
Mr.. Barton is i'll. very much wishe
to see him. First | must be pardone
- for calling at this unreasonable hou
But had the address and saw til
light and knew that newspaper me
>. kept queer hours. | have called {
, the Office of the paper and was toll
y, Mr.. Barton was ut his apartments.
, must so on my journey tonight
. John Gordon had not the remote.
:. inkling as to he Old lady's errand. 81
was evidently "A person of great rein
=, ment and culture.
"IIow mitch of friend are you I
Mr.. Barton:"
The question was so direct and fran
that Gordon smiled.
, Il am his dearest friend
'Man or woman!" the old lady aske
=, with a twinkle Of the eyes that mat
- John Gordon smile again.
- My friend has never had any 10,
-, affair. He is n confirmed bachelor"
> "Ah. don't deceive yourself, youl
Il man. ! am old enough to be YOU
- grandmother your great grandnoth
, almost, and | have seen great deal
t. the world. But, pardon me; must t,
- you what | came for
- She put her hand into little bi
- that hung from a silk cord tied abo
- her wrist. AS she opened the bag Il
10 same delicate aroma penetrated Il
- hall again.
H. She handed card to Gordon. 1
took it and read:
- Mrs. Captain George Etiingham,
~ lem"
~ =, "Well?" Gordon said.
~. Il am Captain Ellingham's wido'
My t-grandson was born on Il
day Captain Etiingham died. His. nan
was Clark dillingham; He ran away
/ No, 1, ct n.