Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-26

dainty foot showing under ruhles Of
lace, looked at her . moment, dumb
with admiration.
"What a big man you have grown to
be, VIII" she said presently. II am
almost afraid Of you now"
She was still looking down at the
fan, and that little foot was moving
nervously. Now was my time. / began
framing an avowal. felt a wild i'm.
pulse to throw my strong arms about
her and draw her close to me and feel
the pink velvet Of her fair face upon
mine. II l had only done Il! But what
with the s%trangeness and grandeur Of
that big ROOM. the voices Of the others
who were sitting in the library near
by, the mystery Of the spreading crino-
line that was pressing upon my knees.
I had not half the courage Of a lover.
my friend writes me that you are In
love-" she said, opening her fan and
moving 1t slowly IA she looked up at
me.
"She Is right, l must confess It," I
said. Il am madly, hopelessly In love.
1t is time you knew It., Hope. and I
want your counsel
She rose quickly and turned her face
away.
DO not tell me, do not speak Of It
again. l forbid you" she answered
coldly.
Then she stood silent. I rose to take
her hand and ask her to tell me why, a
pretty ranking in my heart. Soft foot
steps and the swish Of a gown were
approa ching. Before I could speak
Mrs. Fuller had come through the
doorway.
'COme, Hope" she said, II cannot
let you sit up late. You are worn out,
my dear"
Then Hope badr us both good night
and went away to her room. II I had
known as much about wOmen then as
now I should have had ii ont. with
short delay, TO some understanding be-
tween us. But in that subject one
loves and learns. And one thing l have
Learned ia this-that jealousy throws its
illusions on every word and look and
act. I went to my and sat down
for a bit of reckoning. Hope had
ceased to love me, | felt sure, and how
was l to win her back!
After all my castle building what
was I come to?
l heard my door open presently, and
then l lifted my head. Uncle Eb stood
near the in his stocking feet and shirt
sleeves.
I'm troubley" he whispered.
I'm trouble" ! said.
"'Bout Hope"
ITS about Hope"
Don't be hasty. Hope II never go
back IN you," he whispered.
"She doesn't love me-" | said impul-
sively. "She doesn't care the snap OF
her finger for me-"
Don't believe it," he answered
calmly. ".Not n single word of II. Tibet
woman-she's tryin' t keep her away
from ye-but 'twon't make no DIFF.
fer'nce. Not a bit"
IL must try TO win her blackstone.
way-somehow." | whispered.
"Gi'n We the mitten!" he asked.
That's about it." l answered, going
possibly too far in the depth of my
feeling.
"Whew-w.' lie softly whistled
WAL, it takes two mittens t make
a pair. Yell hey Z ask her ag'in."
Yes. l cannot eve her up" ! said
decisively, Il must Try to win hel
back. 1t isn't fair. | have no claim
upon her. BIT 1 mus DO it,
"Consarn it. ,Wonen like T. b.
chased" he said. IT'S their natur'
What do they nix up 70 fer-4li'mon's
an silks an satins-if faint L set mel
a.chasin' NV EN-: You'd orter enjoy
it.. Stick t. her-jes' like a puppy t Il
root. Thet's my advice"
Hope has got too far ahead Of me-
said. "She can marry n rich man II
she wishes to. and l don't see why
she shouldn't. What am anyhow
but a poor devil just out Of college
and everything to win: 1t makes M
miserable to think here in this grea'
house how small | am"
There's things goin' t happen" Tn
Gle Eb whispered. Il can't tell We wha'
er when. but they're goin' t happen
an they're goin' { change everything
We sat thinking awhile then. knew
what he meant. that ! vas to conquer
the world somehow, and the ides
seemed to me so absurd | could hardly
help laughing as melancholy as | felt.
"Now, you go t bed he said. rising
and gently touching my head with hi.
hand. There's things goin' t. happen
boy, take my word fer it,"
l got In bed late that night, but there
was no sleep for me. In thes still hours
! lay quietly. planning my future. FOL
now ! must make myself worth having
and as soon as possible.
Some will say my determination wa
worthy of u better love; but, bless you
l have my own way Of doing things
and 1t has not been always so unsuc
cessful.
CHAPTER XXI.