Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-20

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y',TFs-N bay. Just east Of Babylon. 1t
49, - was essentially Il summer
play house and yet John Drysdale
looking through the blurred glass Of
the carriage that had brought him
from the station through the sudden
April shower, saw in the light stream
Ing redly from the windows warmth
of welcome that summer could not
show. A pile of logs was blazing in
the hall fireplace. but he paused only
for q moment TO get of the outdoor
chill and then ran w to his room to
dress fJr dinner. He knew the GUS
toms of the house. and he hoped for a
reward if he dressed promptly.
Nor was he disappointed. for when
he came down the stair some fifteen
minutes later he saw standing before
the fire n regal figure. lie paused q
moment to contemplate it-thc white
shoulders rising from gown of rich.
dark rcd, the poise of the head with
its black coifure, the grace Of the arm
hanging idly by her side.
She was Sa:!n- intcntly into the FIRE
deep In th0uc''. and for an instant
she did not hear aim. Then she turn
ed with that rare smile which Il won.
an of ardent temperament gives TO
only one man in the world
81 heard you drive up she said. II
thought you might remember our old
habit"
"As If could forget it! Do you
know and he held her at arms length
to look at her you take my breath
away. But thelt you always do. My
luck seems ton completely, supremacy
perfect to be true
Her color dcepcned a little under his
gaze, but her eyes did not waver.
Il don't want you to live in a state
of perpetual hreathlessness," she said.
"Oh. you don't know what a delight
full state it is. There's nothing in my
appearance to cause palpitation Of the
heart. Just moment ago, when
came to the turn of the stair and look
ed down and saw you standing here,
do you know I was appalled, at the
sheer wonder of the thing. She is
mine. said to myself-'she is mine.
and yet l couldn't quite believe it. 1t
seemed too stupendous. too utterly alb
surd What have l done to deserve
you?"
There was something very touching
in the sincerity of the frank boyish
face. She answered with pressure Of
the hand which said more than many
words.
Il feel good deal as that page felt"
he went on after moment, who look
ed up at Kate, the queen. She never
could be wronged, be poor he sighed,
need him to help her."
And yet in the end she did need
him, didn't she? Perhaps" and her
face changed and she looked away into
you-may have to ask great sacrifice
Of you
ASK it," he said eagerly. ASK any.
thing but that give you up"
Il have already asked one thing"
she said slowly. looking at him with q
face very gentle. NO little thing
your trust, your confidence, your
You had no need to ask it," and he
caught her hands again. 1T was yours
already"
"And will be mine always"
"Can you doubt it,
"No; and l shall be glad to remem.
Der it."
Not long ago." he said, looking at
her "a friend Of mine gave me some
good advice"
(Which wasp
"That l be happy In having you
without conditions that try to live
up to you and be worthy of you; that I
try to do something worth while for
your sake"
She had listened with raised brows.
II didn't know l was subject of
dlscussion"--
You're not-but you sent me to
him
"Oh-Mr Godfrey" A little cloud
came upon her face; she opened her
lips to say something more, but q
step sounded on the stair and Ire
maine came slowly down. There was
a look on his face not pleasant to see,
/ but he banished all trace OF it as he
came forward
(TO BE CONTINUED)