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


ness as expensive as possible. A con-
sultnton OF eminent surgeons was call
ed; but, true to his colors. Brewster
installed Nr. Lotless. Little Son. as
his house surgeon. Monty grizzly bore
the pain and suffering and submitted
to the operation which alone could
save his life. Then came the struggle,
then the promise Of victory and then
the quiet days Of convalcscence. In
the little room where he had dreamed
his boyish dreams and suffered his boy
ish sorrows he struggled against death
and gradually emerged from the mists
Of lassitude He found ii harder than
he had thought to come back to life.
The burden of II all seemed heavy.
The trained nurses found that some
more powerful stimulant than the med
feline was needed to awaken his ambi-
ton, and they discovered it at last in
Peggy.
Child" he said to her the first time
eyes had lights in them. edo you know.
this isn't such bad world after all
Sometimes as I've lain here it has
looked twisted and queer, but there are
things that straighten it out. Today
feel as though had a place in it-as
though l could fight things and win
ont. What do you think. Peggy? Do
you suppose there is something that
could do? You know what / mean
something that some one else would
not do a thousand times better"
But Peggy. to whom this chastencd
mood in Monty was infinitely pathetic.
would not let him talk. She soothcd
him and cheered him and touched his
hair with her cool hands, and then she
left him TO think and brood and dream.
1t was many days before his turbu
lent mind drfted to the subject Of
money, but suddenly he found himself
hoping that the surgeons would be gen
erous with their charges. He almost
suffered relapse when Lotlcss. Wis
Gbly distressed. informed him that the
total amount would reach $4,000
And what Is the additional charge
for the operation?" asked Monty. I'M
willing to accept such unwarranted
fnvors.
IT'S included In the S3,000," said
I.otess. "rhey knew you were my
friend. and it was professional ell
Quette to help keep down expenses"
For days Brewster remained ut Mrs.
Crpy's. happy In its restfulness serene
under the charm Of Peggy's presence
and satisfied to be hopelessly behind In
his daily expense account. The inter-
est shown by the inquiries at the house
and the anxiety of his friends were
soothing to the prollgate II gave
him back u little of his lost self re-
Spect. The doctors finally decided that
he would best recupcratc in Florida
and advised month ut least i'll the
warmth. He leaped at the PROPOSE
ton, but took the law into his own
hands by ordering General Manager
Harrison to rent IA place and insisting
that he needed the. conpanionship of
Peggy and Mrs. Cray.
How soon can ! get back to work.
doctOr:' demanded Monty the day be-
fore the special train was to carry him
south. He was beginning to see the
dark side of his enforced idleness. His
blood again was tingling with the de-
sire to be back in the harness Of
speudthrft.
ITO work." laughed the physician
"And what is your occupation, pray?"
Making other people RICH" respond
ed Brewster soberly.
well, aren't you satisfied with what
you have done for me: If you are as
charitable as that you must be still
pretty sick. BE careful and you may
be on your feet again in five or six
weeks"
Harrison came in as Lotless left.
Peggy smiled at him from the window.
She Lad been reading aloud from u
novel SO garrulous that it fairly cried
aloud for Interruptions.
"Now. hopper, what became of the
ball was going to gve?" demanded
Monty Il troubled look In his eyes.
why, we called it off, said Mop
per in surprise.
Don't You remember, Monty" ask
Cd Peggy. looking up quickly and Won
dering if his mind had gone trailing
Off
Il know we didn't give it. of course,
but what date did you hit upon"
1--WE didn't postpone it at ALL" said
Hopper. How could we: We didn't
know whether-I mean, it wouldn't
have been quite right to do that sort Of
thing"
Il understand. Well, what has be-
come Of the orchestra and the flowers
and all that"
THE orchestra is gallvanting around
the country, quarreling with itself and
everybody else and driving poor Gard
ncr to the insane asylum. The flowers
have lost their bloom long ago"
We'll, Well get together, hopper.
and try to have the ball AZ mid Lent.
think I'll be we'll by that time"
Peggy looked appealingly at Harri-
son for guidance. but to him silence
seemed the better part of ynlor, and he
went off wondering if the illness had
completely carried away Monty's rea.
son.
[To BE CONTINUED