Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-10-25

Miss Brand, aiue me ono moment"
Thanksgiving, the Offering Of those who
had been snatched from death and
from mortal fear more painful than
death
The singing ceased as suddenly as it
began. Mr.. Emmett and the purser
were warning the first watch.
The interruption did not seem to
help Mrs. Nanslttart She spoke awl;-
wardly, checking her thoughts as
though fearful she might be misunder-
stood or say too much.
Il am better" she explained quite
recovered. l gave up my bunk to one
who needed it."
Il am sure we are all doing our best
TO help one another" volunteered Enid.
But l am restless The sght-of
your sister-aroused vague memories.
Do you mind find it hard to explai
your name is familiar l knew-some
people-caled Brand-a Mr. stephen
Brand-and his wife"
She halted, seemingly at loss Enid
striving helplcssly to solve the reason
for this unexpected confidence, but
quite wishful to make the explanation
easier, found herself Interested.
YES she said. That is quite pos
sible, Of course, though You must have
been quite n girl. Mrs. Brand died
many years ago
Mrs. Vansittart fnched from the fee
bic rays OF the lantern
That Is sol think I heard of--of
Mrs. Brands death-in London, /
fancy, but they had only one child"
Enid laughed.
II am mere nobody" she said
day in June, nineteen years ago, and
must have looked 50 fororn that he
took me to his heart, thank Cod"
Another solemn chord Of the hymn
loated up to them:
LET all thy converse be sincere.
Thy conscience as the MONDAY clear"
The rest of the verse cvaded them.
Probably n door was closed.
Mrs. Vanslttart seemed to be greatly
perturbed. Enid, intent on the occupa.
ton of the moment, believed their lit
tie chat was ended. To round 1t off, so
to speak, she went on quickly:
Il imagine | am the most mysterious
person living-ln my early history,
mean. Mr.. Brand saw me floating to.
ward this lighthouse in Il deserted boat.
! was nearly dead. The people who
had been with ME were gonc-elther
starved and thrown into the sea or
Knocked overheard during collision,
as the boat was badly damaged. My
linen was marked Il. r. That is the
the rest is Euesswork. Evidently no.
body cared to claim me, and here I
am"
Mrs. Vansittart was leaning back in
the deep gloom, supporting herself
against the door Of the bedroom.
What a romance" she said family.
"a vague one. and this is no time to
gossip about it, Can | get you any.
thing:"
Enid felt that she really must not
prolong their conversation, and the
other woman's exclamation threatened
further talk.
mo, thank you, You'll excuse me, |
know My natural interest,"
But Enid, with parting smile. was
halfway toward the next landing, and
Mrs Vansttart was free to re-enter
the crowded apartment where her fel,
low sufferers were wondering when
they would see daylight again. She
did not stir. The darkness was intense,
the narrow passage drafty. and the
column thrilled and Qulvered in an un.
ncrving manner She heard the clang
of door above and knew that Enid
had gone into the second apartment
given over to the women. Somewhere
higher mp was the glazing light OF
which she had faint recollection,
though she was almost unconscious
when unbound from the rope and car
ricd into the service room.
And at that moment, not knowing it.,
she had been near to Stephen Brand,
might have spoken TO him, looked into
his face. What was. he like? she Won
dered. Had he aged greatly with the