Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-28

supper. II my calculations don't 60
wrong that will be the end Of the iaunt
and we'll 20 home happy"
At II o'clock Pettingill's studio open.
OIL Its doors to the Little Sons and
their guests, and the last "Dutch
lunch" was soon under way. Brewster
had paid for II early IN the evening,
aud when he sat down at the head Of
the table there was not penny In his
pockets. A year ago at the same place
and at the same hour he and the Lit
lie Sons were having a birthday fsast.
a million dollars came to him OH that
night. Tonight he was poorer by far
than on the other occasion, but he ex-
pected a little gift on the new ami
versary.
Around the board besides the nine
Little Sons sat six guests, among them
the DeNilles, Peggy Gray and Mary
Valentine. hopper Harrison was the
only absent Little Son. and his health
was proposed by Brewster almost be.
fore the echoes Of the toast to the bride
and groom died away.
Interruption came earlier on this &C.
cnsion than IL did that night year
ago. Ellis did not deliver his messages
to Brewster until 3 O'Clock in the morn
ing, hut the a. y. r. boy who rang the
bell at Pettingill's year later handed
him Telegram before ~ o'clock.
congratulations are coming In. old
man." said DeMille as Monty looked
fearfully Mt the little envelope the boy
had given him.
MANY happy returns Of the day."
suggested Bragdon. by love. it's SEN
sible OF you to got married on your
birthday, Monty. II saves time and ex-
pense to your friends"
Read 1t aloud" said Subway Smith.
Two to ono It's from hopper Harrl-
son." cried Pettingill.
Brewster 8 fingers trembled, he knew
not why, as he opened the envelope.
There was the most desoiate feeling In
his heart, the most ghnstly premonition
that Ill news Ind come in this last
hour. lie drew forth the telegram and
slowly. painfully. unfolded it. No one
could have told by his expression that
he felt almost that he was reading his
death warrant. 1t was from Grant &
Ripley and evidently had been follow
Ing him about town for two or three
hours. The lawyers had filed 1t at $3.50
o'clock.
He read II at a glance. his eyes burn.
ing. his heart freezing:
Come to ONCE Immediately Will wal,
oil night for you II necessary. Jones has
disappeared, and there is absolutely nc
trace OF Rim. GRANT & RIPLEY.
Brewster sat as one paralyzed. abso
lutely no sign Of emotion in his face
The others began to clamor for the
contents Of the telegram. blt his
tongue was stiff and motionlcss, his
ears deaf. Every drop OF blood in his
body was stilled by the shock. every
sense given him by the Creator was
conferred upon eleven words in The
handwriting OF n careless telegraph op
orator. "Jones has disappeared. and
there Ia absolutely no trace Of him."
Jones has disappeared" Those
were the words. plain and terrible II
their clearness. tremendous In thei
brutality. Slowly the rest Of the mes
sage began to urge its claims upon BIZ
brain Come to our office immediate
~" and Twill wait all night" battlet
for recognition. He was calm because
he had not the power TO express ar
emotion. How he maintained contrO
of himself n,torward he never knew
Some powerful. kindly force nssertet
Itself. coming to his relief with thu
tim illness OF q genie Gradually 1
began to dawn upon him that the 9th
ers we're waiting for him 70 read TIL
] nlna..I ia NJ thu