Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-07

uIu ne Cuu
ut was one day while You were
out" answered Page, "and he invited
me TO lunch with him at his club"
(Which. of course, you did," said
Frye.
mo. sir. knew shouldn't have
time for II during my one hour, and
then, you had given me lot Of work to
do that day"
A shade Of annoyance came over
Frye's face.
"Wcll. that's all right, Of course" he
said, "but when he calls again take oil
the time you need II he asks you out
and" with n scrutinizing look at Page
"as I said, cultivate him. It's bust.
ness. His father Is my mont valued
client, and the more intimate you be
come with his son the sooner you will
have an acquaintance that will be of
value to YOU"
Page could not quite fathom all this
but the more he thought of what Frye
had said the more certain he became
that kindly regard for his own welfare
did not enter into that shrewd schem.
crs calculations. He was more and
more disgusted also each day with
his employers cynical Indifference to
all sense OF honor and honesty. com.
ing to the conclusion that he WAS TIC
better than q thief at heart.
Beneath Albert's disposition to adapt
himself to those he mingled with lay
~ d..
honor and the energy of self sacriiice
if necessary, and Frye's attributes
were so obnoxious to him rs TO be
simply repulsive. At college he had
never INDUCED in much ''larking," and
Just why she bond of friendship be
tween himself and the good natured
self indulgent happy go lucky class
mate, Frank Mason. had been cement
ed is hard to explain, except upon tho
theory Of an attraction of opposites
When, few days later, Tint young
man appeared at the Office Just before
closing time and suggested they "gc
out for night'sS racket" as he phraset
II. Albert was not inclined to accept
What are you up to-" he said a:
they walked away from the office
land what do you mean by racket
II It's likely to he expensive, count
me out. | can't afford it,"
Well" answered Frank lightly, "yo,
are working too hard and need shak
ing up, so thought I'd drop rount
and do It, We will dino at the club
then 60 to the opera house, where
there is n burlesQue on and no enc
of pretty chorus girls. | know tive
or three Of them, and after the show
we will take them out to supper"
ITS all right except the end-up.'
answered Albert. land on that l thinl
you had best skip me. AZ I said, III
diversion l can't afford. I've M
money to spare to buy wine for bale
girls"
"Oh. that's all right" Responded
Frank cheerfully eve asked you ont
and it's my treat. III pay the sho
this time
II shall pay my share II I Co." as
serted Albert firmly. but I would ratli
or omit the after part. We will have TIN
evening together. and then you can g
and entertain your chorus girls, and II
go to my room"
1t was laudable resolution. but !
came hard, for beneath all Albert
good resolves was lurking desire for
little excitement to break the duh mo
notOny of his life lie had been TO tn
theater only twice since he came t
Boston. desiring to save in every wa.
he could. and only the week before ha,
sent Alice one-third Of his first month
salary. At the club Frank Introduce,
him TO several of his friends, and q
course they were asked to join them i
social glass, which did not tend I
strengthen Albert's resolution. At Nh
thcater the cxhilarating music and tn
glitter Of Il stage full OF pretty girl
had their effect and 10y the time tn
show was over he found it Impossible Il
resist his friends urging that they y
around to the stage door and meet tn
girls he had invited TO sup with them.
mind you. let NE pay my share,
whispered Page. and then he foun,
himself being introduced by his frs
name 10 two highly colored queens 0
the ballet and all four proceeded a
one" to a private supper room. Alder
found the girls bright, vlvacious ant
expressive. as far as superficial us
of slang goes. They ordered the choic
est and highest priced items on the bill
OF fare and talked about their ma shes
in other cities in way that made A
bert grateful that he had been intro
duced by his first name only.
When In the wee small hours the
escorted the two girls to their boardin
place, Page was glad to be rid of then
and when he reached his room he di,
not feel particularly proud Of himself
lie felt less SO the next mornin
when he received letter from Alic
which read:
My Darling Brother-I was so please
when l received your loving letter an
the money you sent. You do not kno'
how it hurts me to feel we owe 30 much
and | have cried over It more than yo
will ever know. Last week received m
first months pay $50 and l was yer
proud of 1t, for it is the first money
ser earned. took half and put 1t wit
the twenty-five you sent and gave il t
Mr.. Hobbs. | have only 81 loft. for l ha
to buy some boots and gloves but tina
| will last me n month. for I've not tn
heart 10 spend a penny am not oblise
to until tho debts are paid. ! had to bu
the boots because walking four miles
! day wears them out very fast.
And Ia had spent $50 the night bt
fore to hear a couple Of ballet girl