Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-11-29

"Oh. no. no. walled Enid. do not
say that 1t seems to cut us apart.
What have you done that you should
dread the worst that can be said2 And
why should there be any scandal ut
all? cannot bear you to say such
things"
II think I understand you. dad" said
Constance. her burning glance striving
TO read his hidden thought. MATTERS
cannot rest where they are. You will
not allow-my mother--to 20 away-a
second time-wlthout n clear state
ment IA to the future and an equally
honest explanation of the past"
This was precisely the question he
dreaded. 1t had forced its unwelcome
presence upon him in the first moment
Of the meeting with his wife, but he
was man Of order. of discipline. The
habits Of years might not be flung
aside so readily. 1t was absurd, he
held. to inflict the self torture of use
lass imaginings on the first night of
their home coming after the severe
trials Of their precarious life on the
rock.
Above all else it was necessary to re-
assure Constance. whose strength only
concealed the raging fire beneath. and
Enid, whose highly strung tempera-
mcnt was on the bordcrland Of hys-
terra
He was still the arbiter of their
lives, the one TO whom they looked for
guidance. lie rcbelled against the
prospect Of night of slccplcss misery
for these two, and 1t needed his en-
phatlc dominance 60 direct their
thoughts into more peaceful chan
mel
SO he assumed the settled purpose
he was far from feeling and sum-
moned kindly smile to his aid.
surely we have discussed our diff
culties sufficiently tonight" he said.
"ln the morning, Constance. will
meet Mr.. Trail. He is a gentleman
and man of the world. I think, too.
that his nephew will be resourceful
and wise in counsel beyond his years
Now we are all going to obtain some
much needed rest. Neither you nor
! will Yield to slcepless hours of brood.
ing. Neither OF you knows that not
forty eight hours ago J made myself
Il thief in the determination to save
your lives and mine. 1t was n need
less burglary. persuaded myself that
1t was necessary in the interests of
the Trinity Brethren, those grave gen
tlemen in velvet cloaks, Enid, who
would be Mortified by the mere sug-
gestion. I refuse to place myself on
the moral rack another time. In the
old days when I was n boy the drama
was wont to be followed by n more
lively scene. | forbid further discus
sion. Come, kiss me. both of you.
think that stiff glass of hot punch
will not do me any harm. nor you. un-
less you imbibed freely OF that cham
payne l saw Nesting in the ice pail"
They rose obediently. Although they
knew he was acting n part on their
account, they were sensible that he
was adopting a sane course.
Enid tried to contribute to the new
note. She bobbed in the approved style
of the country domestic.
"Please, Sir Stephen" she said.
"would you like some lemon in the
toddy?'
Constance placed little copper ket-
tie on the fire. Their gloom had given
way to not wholly forced cheerful
ness-for in that pleasant cottage sor-
row was an unwelcome guest-when
/ they We're surprised TO hear n sharp
knock on the outer door
| At another time the incident. though
unusual at late hour. would not have
/ disturbed them. But the emotions Of
the night were too recent, their sub
sldencc too artficially achieved. that
they should not dread the possibilities
which lay beyond that imperative sum-
mons.
Mrs. Sheppard and the servant had
retired to rest. worn out with the
anxious uncertainties of events re-
ported from the lighthouse.
SO Brand went to the door and the
girls listened in nervous foreboding.
They heard their father say:
"Jcllo, Jenkins, what Is the matter
now?"
Jenkins was sergeant of police
whom they knew.
Sorry to trouble You, Mr.. Brand, but
IN odd thing has happened. y lady, Il