Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-11-08
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apart. cut off from the sufYerlngs with.
n. He lifted his eyes to the somber
trch Of the heavens. Men said the age
Pf miracles had passed. Pray God it
might not be SO!
When Brand went out the sudden
lush Of cold air through the little door
eading to the balcony aroused Pyne.
That young gentleman was rudely
Awakened from a seriously vivid
lream. He fancled that Constance and
be were clinging to the tail Of an enor.
nous kite, which had been made to
bower over the rock by a green imp
Eeated in an absurdly small boat.
They were solemnly advised by other
Enomes. imps with sparkling. toadlike
Dyes. to intrust themselves to this pre-
farious means Of escape. but the in
stant they dropped off the ledge Of the
gallery their weight caused the kite
o swoop downward. The resultant
plunge into the ocean and Constance's
farewell shrek We're nothing more ter
tifying than the chill blast and whistle
bf the air current admitted by Brand,
put Pyne did not want to 60 to sleep
hgain. He did not like emerald hued
spirits which arranged such unpleasant
escapades.
He Strengthened his stiff limbs and
BAT up.
He was about to feel In pocket for
lis pipe-he experienced the worst
bangs Of hunger after waking in such
IA CHI I,o o,.
Ind shoulders emerging out OF the
ftalrway.
At first he thought II was Constance
Ind he wondered why she had mutfled
her face In the deep collar Of a cloak,
put the visitor paused irresolutcly when
her waist was on level with the floor
She uttered little gasp Of surprise.
You, Charlle?" she cried. 81 thought
You slept in the kitchen?"
"No, Mrs. Vansittart," he said. 81 am
assistant keeper. and I am here most
al the time with Mr.. Brand. But what
IN the name Of goodness
Il was restless" explained the lady
hurriedly. ''If / had remained another
minute among those women should
have screamed aloud. How peaceful
you are here. Where Is Mr.. Brandt"
Guess he's gone outside to squirt at
he weather. But come right in. I can
Pffer you chair. Mr.. Brand wants to
pee you, and this Is quiet time for
chat"
How does he know me? What did
be say?"
Mrs. Vansittart pressed her left hand
TO her breast With the other she kept
The high collar over her mouth and
cheeks. Pyne could only see her eyes,
and the alarmed light that lenped into
them increased his astonishment at her
unexpected presence,
1T seems to me-" he answered chat
II you Just walk up four more steps
land sit down you can ask him all those
things yourself"
Were you speaking Of me to him."
Il did happen to mention you"
And he said he knew me-"
mo, ma'nm. He said nothing Of the
sort. But, for mercy's sake what mys-
|tery Is there about IT."
Mystery! None whatever. was
mistaken. | have never met him. |
came now to explain that to him.
Ob"-
She dived suddenly as the gallery
door opened Brand caught fleeting
GLIMPSE of her vanishing form.
"Who was that?' he asked.
Pyne had found his pipe and was fill.
Ing ii with tobacco.
Mrs. Nanslttart," he answered.
Paying her long deferred visit, I
suppose. She chose a curious hour"
80 | thought. But she Just popped
her head in to tell you that she didn't
know you at ALL"
Brand smiled.
Poor lady" he said. "She, like the
rest OF US, Is perturbed and uneasy. I
Imagine she is Of q somewhat hyster-
ical temperament"
That's So" agreed Pyne
There were puzzllng discrepancies In
Mrs. Vansittart's explanation of her
untimely appearance. Evidently she
did not expect to meet him thcle. She