Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-03
CHAPTER XVI.

You have been here for two hours
and only just tell me-"
He is doing very we'll" said Mr..
Breen. dryly; very we'll, indeed.
And not the least In retaining your
interest 30 long. Let's see; how
many years have sadly fown?"
Please be serious" Mabel Arthur
answered, with hint Of color In her
face; II ought to explain feel
responsible for his leaving home
and school. We were only children,
Of course. He left under a cloud,
and Bessie has always said that II
he went to the bad 1t would he ray
flult"
In any face but that Of Ensign
John Breen, the expression might
have been a sneer; in his it was but
a lukewarm smile.
And Bessie IL interested?" be
asked.
"Of course; why. she believed In
him when 7 did not. Later. It ali
came out. He was accused, unjustly.
Of stealing, and expelled from schoc,
His uncle turned him out and no
went away. I have never heard from
him since. hope he is successful"
He Is. He IS a seaman gunner Of
the navy, now in the Vermont with
me. He Is one of the f1cst products
OF the apprentice system that I've
secn-tall, athletic, refined in
speech-educated I'm told, almost
to the requirements OF a commission
--handsome in way. and o favor
. ite with all hands--and the ladies'"
I'm so glad; and where Ia he
now-in Vermont, did you say?"
ION board the receiving ship Yer
mont; but In town to-day"
In town? Herein Allville?"
Il saw him two minutes before l
called. He must have come up on
the train ahead Of me"
Why didn't you bring him with
you? Yor know ! would IKE to see
him"
You forget that It is two years
or more since you expressed the de-
sire; besides. doubt that a sailor
would care to make social visits
WIN M OINCeT.
II understand the sarcasm: bat
do want to SEQ him. Where was he?"
He was very pleasantly occu-
pied. Had I been e1ioying myself
SO thoroughly, l would hardly have
come on the instant-even had you
sent for me-
She looked searchingly at him,
with inquiry in her face; and. after
moments musing, she said. But
do you think you could induce him
to"
You would have me hunt him
him up, and extend your invitation?
l will do SO, provided he is on the
street" He arose as he spoke. and
the lines of his face hardened a
little.
no. no. was thoughtless. You
are an ofiicor-he is 4 sailor"
II am not In uniform
Most down again. II would
CRATE and harrow your very soul
Men may forgive enything but a
humiliation. l will write TO him.
Il should think" he said dryly. as
he seated himself. that letter
would answer every purpose.
Sometimes I hate myself" she
said slowly, as she studied the car
pet. do you know what | did?
When he was disgraced aud OK
PEELED? He stood outside when
school let out, and he looked as II
he had not friend in the world;
and every Immaculate one of rs
snubbed him---except Bessie. | shall
never forget the look in his face
when | passed him" There We're de-
cided tears in her eyes now. and all
that Mr.. Breen could say. In a rather
strained voice, was, Bessie. has q
good heart--a big, generous heart -
Indeed she has. And she was 50
indignant when she learned 1t all.
1t was year later, for | went away
to boarding school, and we did not
become friends until | got back.
Neither of us knew at the tirle all
that had happened Why. thoro
were five BOYS, all larger than he,
who set upon him. and kicked him
almost unconscious; and he WAS
brave, and fought them; but there
were so many-the great-blg
brutes. Poor little Dick"
Poor little Dick" repeated the
ensign. Poor. big. broad shoul-
dered. iron listed. quicker than chain
lightning, able seaman Halpin. !
wouldn't care TO be one OF the FIVE
when he meets them The other day,
| was told. he lifted big Bilsou-
two hundred pounds right off his
feet with one blow. He's a terror.
little Dick"
She turned her face to the win
dow, as IL to hide the inconsistent
smile that was showing there Then,
with an exclamation she arose ia
her feet.
Look Look" she said.
Mr., Breen reached her side at a
bound. A wild eyed youth with his
hat in his hand had rushed around
the corner of the house from the
back yard. pursued by another. who
caught him at the foot Of the front
steps.
There" said the ensign, there
Ia your poor little boy; and he seems
to be UNFOLDING his later record
is that Dick Halpin, really? Il
that DickH Oh. isn't he changed
Isn't he man! But what is he