Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-11-29
Copyright. 1908. by
Edward j. Clodc

AZ her father, am proud to think she
has won the affections of such man
as Stanhope. There is no reason why
you. his mother, should not be equally
satisfied with the pedigree and pros
poets OF my daughter"
His calm assumption of rank equal
IL not superior TO her own was con-
Vincing to q woman of her Temporal
mcnt. Assuredly that evening was Il
memorable one 10 her ladyship. The
repose of We're de We're WAS rudelv
shocked for once. Nevertheless the
knowledge that her lifelong ambition
had been realized in way little
dreamed Of by any Of those most con
ccrncd was in itself consoing. Mr.
Trail. quite unconsciously. doomed
large in the social eye of Penzance,
and the widowed lady had not been so
long withdrawn from the wealth wor-
Shipping world OF London rs to be
wholly unleavcncd with the worship Of
tho golden calf.
SO it was with quickened interest
that she set herself to listen to the
story of Ends parentnge. and, If her
fear Of local gossip mongers shrnnk as
her perception Of Ends real social po-
sition increased, much may be forgiven
to the motherly sentiment that no wife
can be too good for an excellent son.
Meanwhile Brand and the sorrow
laden girls, ushered by obsequious
servants to the entrance hall, were con-
strained TO comfort themselves with
true British phlcgm in view of the in
terest caused by their appearance.
The hour was not late about 0:30.
Even while the hall porter was sum-
moning cab the news spread, within
and without that the lighthouse keeper
and his daughters whose exploits filed
the minds of all men, were standing
near the door
Several people, complete strangers.
came to them and offered warm
congratula tons. A smart journalist
pressed forward and wove his own
complimentary utterances into an in
terview. a crowd gathered quickly on
tie pavement. Policemen. those mar
shals of every English demonstration.
! cleared path for them through the
throng. So. with smiling words on
their lips and anguish IN their hearts,
they made Il triu!nphal exit. How lit
tie could the friendly enthusiasts who
cheered them realize that these three
had been atrophied tX the deadly
malevolence Of fate in~Vlc very hour
when great achievement had ended
happily.
Enid suffered almost as keenly as
| Brand and his daughter. Their joys
! and sorrows were hers. The startling
nature of Brands avowal rendered it
/ difficult for either Enid or Constance
to piece together certain fragmeutary
/ memories OF Mrs. Nan5ittarts odd he
! havior during her enforced sojourn Oh
the rock 50 thoroughly had she shat
! tered thoSC dimlF outlined impress
sions by the quietly vivucious charm
! Of her manner at dinner that they both
! experienced q tumble of sensations. 4
! terrified woman. in wet and torn cloth
/ ing, coweriu.. III the cauut interior Of
Il storm eirt lighthouse, is Il very Gii
/ ferent being when attired in expensive
garments and surrounded by the lux
uries of first class hotel,
1t was Il relief to drive to their cot
tage in silence, yet. so easily moulded
: is our human clay, it was a greater
relief when the tension of the noisy
rattle of the cab was relaxed. 1t cost
some effort to assure Mrs. Sheppard, Il
buXom, motherly soul OF sixty or there
abouts, that they could not possibly eat
any supper The effort was forthcom-
ing. They pleaded WEAKNESS, and at
last they Were alone.
Constance knelt by her fathers side
when he dropped listlessly into the
armchair placed in his accustomed
corner.
Now. dad she said bravcly I'M
emotional, there will be no more
tears Tell ne ali that l ought to
/ know
Enid drew hassocly to his feet and
seated herself there, clasping her hands
about her knees.
whatever she did I am sorry for
her" said the girl decisively. and
she cannot have been n. really bad wo-
man, dad, or you would not have loved
her once