Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-31

ienHy De NJ oiSuBreeuUie 10 you db IL
Ii to me-"
Indeed" she replied. lifting her
brows disdainfully. you are assum
ing good deal, Mr.. Brewster"
II ain merely recalling the fact that
you once told me you cared. You
would not promise anything. I know.
tN It meant much that you cared A
little difference could not have changed
your feeling completely"
when you are ready to treat me
with respect may listen to your petit
tion," she said. rising haughtily.
my petitionT He did not like the
word, and his tact quite deserted him.
ITS as much yours as mine. Don't
throw the burden Of responsibility on
me. Miss Drew"
Have suggested going back to the
old relations? You will pardon me II
I remind you Of the fact that you came
today on your own initiative and Ger
tainly without my solicitation"
NOW, look here. Barbara nc be.
gan. dimly realizing that 1t was going
to be hard, very hard, to bring her to
reason.
IL am very sorry. Mr.. Brewster, but
you will have to excuse me. am 60
ing out"
II regret exceedingly that should
have disturbed you today, Miss Drew"
he said, swallowing his pride. Per
haps l may have the pleasure of see
ing you again
AS he was leaving the house. deep
anger in his soul. he encountered the
colonel. There was something about
Monty's greeting. cordial as it was,
that gave the older man a hint as to
the situation.
Wont you stop for dinner Monty"
he asked in the hope that his srs
picion was groundless.
"Thank you. colonel. not tonight"
and he was Off before the colonel could
hold him.
Barbara was tearfully angry when
her father came into the room, but as
he began to demonstrate with her the
tears disappeared and left her at white
heat.
Frankly. father, you don't under
stand matters" she said, with slow en-
phasis. II wish you to know now that
IL Montgomery Brewster calls again I
shall not see him"
IF that Ia your point Of view, Bnrba-
"a, ! wish you to know mine" The
colonel rose and stood over her. every
thing forgotten but the rage that went
so deep that it left the surface calm.
Throwing aside bis promise to Brew
ster, he told Barbara with dramatic
simplicity the story of the rescue of the
bank. "You see" be added, "if it had
not been for that open hearted boy we
would now be ruined. Instead of Civ
ing cotllons you might be giving mu-
sic lessons. Montgomery Brewster will
always be welcome in this house. and
you will see that my wishes are re-
spccted. DO you understands
"Perfcctly." Barbara answered in
still voice. "As your friend shall try
to be civil to him"
The colonel was not satisfied with so
cold bloodcd an acquiescence. hut he
wisely retired from the field. He left
the girl silent and crushed. but with a
CLEAN in her eyes that was not alto
gether to be concealed. The story had
touched her more deeply than she
would willingly confess. 1t was some
thing to know that Monty Brewster
could do thing like that and would do
It for her The cxliltant smile which it
brought to her lips could only be made
to disappear by reminding herself
sharply of his recent arrogance Her
anger she found, was plant which
needed careful cultivation.
1t was in a somewhat chastcned
mood that she started few days later
for dinner at the peArillcs' As she
entered in her sweeping golden gown
the sight Of Monty Brewster AZ the 9th
or end Of the room gave her flutter at
the heart. hut it was an agitation that
was very carefully concealed. Brew
ster was certainly unconscious Of It.
To him the position OF guest was like a
disguise. and he wos pleased at the
prospect OF letting himself go under
the mask without responsibility. But
1t took on a different color when the
butler handed him n card which signi
fed that he was to take Miss Drew In
| to dinner. Hastily seeking out the host
the impossibilty Of the situation.
II hope you won't misunderstood
me-" he said. But is it too late TO
change my place at the table,"
1T isn't conventional, l know. Mon
ty. Societys chief aim is to separate
engaged couples ut dinner" said Mrs.
Dan, with a laugh. ut would be pos
itively compromising IL a man and his
wife sat together"
Dinner was announced before Monty
could utter another word. and as she
led him over TO Barbara she said: "Be-
hold a generous hostess who gives up
the best man in the crowd so that he
and some one else may have happy
time. l leave 1t to you, barbara, if
that isn't the test of friendship"
For moment the two riveted their
eyes on the floor; then the humor Of
the situation came to Monty.
II did not know that we were sup
posed to do Gibson tableaux tonight"
he said dryly as he proffered his arm.
II don't understand" And Barba-
ra's curiosity overcame her determina-
ton not to speak.
Don't you remember the picture of
the man who was called upon to take
his late fancee out 10 dinner?"
The awful silence with which this
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