Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-22
CHAPTER II.

HF Miss Bull wished to make
madame uncomfortable she GER
tainly succeeded. From being
voluble, Mrs. Jersey became ST.
lent, the fresh color died out of her
face and her lips moved nervously.
Twice did she make an effort to over
come her emotion, but each time failed.
Afterward she took a seat by the fire
and stared into the flames with an anx-
ious look, IS though she saw therein
fulhllment of the dismal prophecy.
Her depression communicated itself to
the rest of the company, and shortly
before 10 the friends took their de-
parture. The idea of being alone seem
ed TO cheer Mrs. Jersey, anu she ac-
corpanied her departing guests to the
front door.
1t was n comparatively thick fog. vet
not so bad but that the visitors might
hope to reach their homes. For some
time Mrs. Jersey stood in the door
way at the top Of the steps and shook
hands with those who We're going. The
boarderS, who We're old and chilly,
We're too wise to venture outside on
such a dreary night. SO Mrs Jersey had
the doorstep all to herself IF you
lose your way" she called out to the
visitors come back. You can tell the
house by the red light" She pointed
the fanllght of crimson glass behind
which gas was burning. 81 will keep
that aliGht for another hour"
fTh.a uAiAos. Of l,o IL
fed by the fog, but Leonard and
George waited to hear no more. They
walked upstairs to Trains sitting room
which WAS on the first floor. The win
lows looked ont on to back garden,
wherein grew a few scrubby trees, so
that the prospect was not cheering
But on this night the faded crimson
curtains We're drawn, the fire was
lighted and a round table in the middle
of the apartment was spread for sup
per. on one side a door led to Leon
ards bedroom; on the other side was
the room wherein George was to sleep
AS the freight played Oh the old fash
toned furniture and on the mellow
colors Of curtains and carpet Leonard
rubbed his hands 1T is rather quaint
he said checrfully, and lighted the
lamp.
"Not such palace as your dicgings
in Duke street" said Brendon, stretch
ing his long legs on the chintz covered
sofa
zone must suffer in the cause OF art,
said Train, putting the shade on the
lamp. II am picking up excellent types
here. What do You think
There's plenty OF material" growlct
Brendon, getting out his pipe.
Don't smoke yet, George" inter
posed Train, CHANGING at the clock. 1--WE
must have supper first. After that We
can smoke till II and then We mus
90 to bed
"You keep early hours here, Leon
ard"
II don't. Mrs. Jersey asked me par
ticularly to be in bed at H.
"Why?" Brendon started and looked
hard at his friend.
81 don't know, but she did"
as it an understood thing that 70,
retire at that hour
Train shook his head and drew In his
chair "By no means. ! have sat uT
till before now But on this nigh
Mrs. Jersey wants the house to be con
sidered respectable and therefore askct
me to retire early. Perhaps it's on ac
count of you, old man. Here h'
smiled in an amused manner SHE
hopes to get you as n boardcr"
IL wouldn't come here for the world,
retortcd Brendon with quite unneces
sary violence.
"Why not? Have some tongue"
"Thanks," responded George, passins
his plate. Because | don't like thu
house, and ! don't care for Mrs. Jer
sey"
"Why did you advise me to conn
here then?" asked Train, pouring on
n glass of claret.
well, you wanted something In thu
style Of Dickens, and this was the onl!