Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-08

they we're near the lodge. Mrs
| Grove saw them. and came out.
stop herr" gasped Brett.
Hume signalled the woman not TO
open the gate. She watched them
with open mouthed curiosity. The
barrister slowed down and quietly
made his way to- the leafy angle
where the avenue hedge Joined that
which shut of the park from the
road.
He held up warning hand. Hume
stepped warily behind him, and both
men looked through portion of the
hedge where briars we're supplanted
by basel bushes.
Capella was standing painting
GEAR 8 stile. A girl, dressed in mus
| lin, and wearing large straw hat.
was approaching.
Great Haavenai ~ ia Helen!" ex-
:laimed Hume.
Brett grasped his shoulder.
''Festraln yourself" he whisperst
earnestly.
Luckily, Capella has not heard
you l regret the necessity which
makes us eavesdroppers, but 1t is
fortunate accident, all the same. Not
wordl Remember what Is at
stake"
They could not zee the Italian's
face. His back was heaving from
the violence of his exertion. Mis-,
Layton was walking RAPIDLY towards
the stile. Obviously she had per
ceived the waiting man. and she was
not pleased.
Her pretty face, flushed and sun.
burnt, wore the strained aspect OF a
woman annoyed but trying to be
civil.
1t was she who took the initiative
Good day, Mr.. Capella," she said
pleasantly why on earth did you
run so fast?'
Because ! wished to be here bs-
fore you, Miss Layton" replied the
man. his voice tremulous with ex-
element
Then I wish I had known. be
cause l could have beaten you easily
II you meant to race me-"
That was not my object"
We'll. now you have attained 1t
whatever It may have been. please al
low me to get over the stile. will
be lato for luncheon. My fathe,
wished me to ascertain how Farmer
Burton is progressing after his spill
He was thrown from his dogcait
whilst coming from the Bury St. Ed
mund's fair"
1t was easy for the listeners be.
hind the hedge to gather that IT,.
girls affable manner was affected
She was really somewhat alarmed.
Her eyes wandered to the high road
to see II anyone was approaching,
and she kept at some distance from
the Italian.
do not play with me, Nellie"
said Capella, in agouized accents Il
am consumed with love OF you. Can
you not. at least. give me your pity"
MIR. Capella." she cried. and none
but one blind to all save his own pas.
sionate desires could fail to note her
lofty dlsdain. how can you be 50
base as to use such language to me?"
Base! To love you"
Again I say it--base and unman-
ly What have | done that yor
charming wife, not to speak of tn ,
insult to myself? When you so far
forgot yourself fortnight ago as to
hint at your outrageous ideas re.
garding me, I forced myself to r.-
member that you were not an Eng
lishman. that perhaps in your coun-
try there may be social code which
permits man 10 dishonor his home
and to annoy defenceless woman.
cannot forgive you p second time.
Let me pass, Let me PISS, tell you
or I will strike you!'
Brett. In his admiration for the
spirited girl who, notwithstanding
her protestations. seemed to be any
thing but "defenceless." momentar-
lily forgc4 his companion.
A convuls!ve tightening of Hume s
muscles, preparatory to a leap
through the hedge. warned him IN
time
idiot" he whispered. as he
clutched him again.
Were not the others so taken UP
with the throbbing influences of the
moment they must have heard the
rustling Of the leaves. But they paid
little heed to external affairs. The
italian was speaking.
Nellie" he said, you will drive
me mad. But listen. carisslma. II
may not love you, l can at least de-
fend you. David Hume-F Frazer, the
man who murdered my wife's broth
or, has returned. and openly boasts
that you are waiting TO marry him.
Boasts! To whom, pray?"
, ITO me. I heard him say this no
, fifteen minutes since"
, Where? You do not know him
, He could not be here without my
knowledge"
! Then 1t Is true. You do intend tc
marry this unconvicted felon?"
"Mr. Capella, really think you are
what English people call cracked
But you believe me-that thi
man has come to Beechcroft?"
1t may be so. He has good rea
, sons, doubtless. for keeping his pres
ence here secret. Whatever the,
may he. shall soon know them"
, Helen. he is not worthy OF you
He cannot give you love fierce a
mine. Nay. will not be repealed