Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-18

of the hand. "MiIdy says to wait out
here"
There was n faint rustling within the
house. the swish of draperies Oh the
stairs, a delicious whispering, when
light feet descend, tapping, to hearts
that beat an answer. the telegraphic
message: eve come! We come! We
are near! We are near" Lige Will.
let's stared at Harkless. He had never
thought the latter was good looking I'm.
eli be saw him step to the door to take
Helen Sherwood's hand and say, in a
strange, low, tense voice, Good morn.
Ing" as IL he were announcing, at the
least: Every one in the world, except
us two, died last night. 1t is a solemn
thing, but I am very happy"
They walked, Minnie and Mr.. vii.
let's, a little distance in front Of the
others. HAIRLESS could not have told
aftorward whether they rode or walked
or floated on an airship to the court
house. All hs knew distinctly was
that q divinity in a pink shirt waist
and q hat that was woven Of gauzy
cloud by hooking fairies to make him
stoop hideously to see under it dwelt
for tho time on earth ana was at his
side, dazzling him in the morning sun
shine. Last night the moon had lent
her a silvery glamour. She had some
thing Of the ethereal wilderness Of
night dews in that watery light, n
nymph to laugh from n sparkling foun
tain ut the moon. or as be thought, re-
membering her courtesy for his pretty
speech, perhaps little lady Of King
Louis court wandering down the years
from Fontainebleau and appearing TO
clumsy mortals sometimes of n summer
night wien the moon was in Their
heads.
But toda: snc was Of the dainticst
color, n pretty girl whose gray eyes
twinkled to hi; in gay companionship.
lie marked how the sunshine danced
across the shadows OF her fair hair
and seemed itself to catch II lustcr
rather than impart it. and the light of
the June day drifted through the gauzy
hat to hor face, touching it with deli
cate and tender flush that came and
went like the vibrating pink of early
dawn. She mad the divinest straight
nose, tip tilted faint. alurag trne,
and a dimpic cleft her chin. "thc dead
lest macistroin in the world" lie
thrilled through and through. He had
been only vaguely conscious of the
dimple in tho night. 1t was not until
he saw her by daylight that he really
knew It was there.
The village hummed with life before
them. They walked through simmer
ing airs. sweeter to breathe than nectar
is to drink. She caught a butterfly
basking on q Unison weed. and before
she lot it so held it out to him in her
hand. 1t was white butterfly. BE
asked which was the butterfly.
Bravo" she said, tossing the captive
craft above their heads and watching
the small sails catch the breeze "And
so you can make little batteries in the
morning too. 1t is another courtesy
you should be having from Inc II i,
weren't for the dustincss of It, Wait
till We come to tho board walk"
She had some big pink roses at her
waist.
Indicating these. he answered. "Ir
the meantime. know very well lac
that would be hlthe to accept a pretty
token of any lady's high esteem"
"But you have one already. Il very
beautiful one She gave him q genia
up and down glance from head 10 foot
half quizzical and half applauding, bu
so quick he scarcely saw it, and he was
glad he bad rcsurrcctcd the straw ha
with the youthful ribbon and his othcl
festal veStures. And very becomins
flower Il white rose is" she continued
though am bold girl to be blarney
ing with a young gentleman l met NJ
longer ago than last night
But why shouldn't you blarney will
a gentleman when you began by say
/ ing his lifc:''
Especially WHOM the gentleman hat
the politcn-Ss 10 ;:nllop about the coun
ty with ne tucked under his arm.
She stood still and laughed softly, bu
! consummately, and her eyes closet
tisht with the mirth OF it. She hat
/ taken one of tho roses from her waist
! aud as she stood holding it by the loni
stem its cool petals lightly pressed he
/ lips.
you may have tin exchange" sh
/ sNid. He bent down TO her, and sh
fastened her rose in place of tho whit
one in his coat She did not ask him
directly or indirectly, who had put tn
white one there for him. She knew b.
the way it was pinned that he hat
done it himself. who is it that evr
morning brings me these lovely flow
crs?" she burlesuued ms he bent owe
! her.
Mr.. Windy" he returned. Il Wi
point him ont to You. You must Sc
him and Mr.. Bodcfier. who is the old
low
"Will you present them to me-"
"No: they might talk to you an
take some OF my time with you ava
from me"
Her eyes sparkled into his for TIA
merest fraction of second, and sh
laughed. Then she dropped his lapc
and they proceeded, She did not pu
the white rose in her belt, but carrie
il.
The square was hoavlng with a jo'
Ting, moving, good natured, happy an
constantly increasing crowd that ovel