Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-03
CHAPTER XII.


Dick passed into the business
street OF the town, where familiar
faces peered at him. But none rec
! ognized in the bare throated, sun
burned sailor. swinging along with
a mans vigorous stride, the under
sized. freckled schoolboy who had
disappeared under a cloud. On his
part, he did not care to make HIM
self known. There we're changes
q trolley line had been established.
and new buildings replaced soma
/ that he remembered. The town had
become a city; a new city hall arose
from the park. with a police station
on the lower floor; bright fronted
theater faced the park on the side
street, and next It was Salvation
Army barracks. while a red brick
building with blue shirted men
lounslng In the open doorway.
through which could be seen a fire
engine and hose cart, testified
further to the prosperity of the
town. These changes panied him.
1t was no home coming to Dick; he
had loved the scenes OF his boyhood.
Ought to see Aunt Mollis FIRST"
/ he unused as he reached the resi-
dent portion: but l won't-not till
evening. She'd keep me too long
Here's Besste's street--if she still
lives there"
He was in a side street, and soon
reached one Of row of Queen Anne
toA
all others in the suburbs OF Amer!-
can cities. There was brighter,
more cared-for look to all of them
than there had been, and especially
did the one before him indicate the
prosperity of It's owner. The fence
had been removed. flower beds had
been laid out on the lawns showing
here and there with the dead grass
through shallow snow banks, while
from within came the sound OF
piano music--improvised chords In
minor.
Bessie had no piano" he said;
but she liked music. Wonder II the
old mans made his pile. III See"
He mounted the steps. opened tho
button inside. Electric BELLS"
he muttered.
The music ceased and was fol-
lowed by the patter of light feet;
then the door swung open and
young lady was facing him-a fluffy
haired creature with pink and white
cheeks, who looked at him with
uide-onen surDrdaad eyaa
Hello. Bessie" he said cheerily;
how are you? I've come-why
Bessie. don't you know me?"
I--really--" she began doubt
fully, while he drew back into tho
hallway. why. Dick--Dick Hal
pin--where did yon come from7"
She advanced with a smile OF gem
nine welcome in her face. and ex-
tended her hand. Then she In
vited him in and seated him in a
corner of the parlor and herself in
another, where she studied his face.
with half smiling. half nervous ex-
pectancy in her own.
Anna is at school to-day" she
said at last. and mamma is down
town. They'll be home soon:
they'll be glad to see you"
AN hight. Now. Bessie, tell me
the news. What's happened? Going
to school yeti"
Yes" she answered demurely
But I'm homo to-day because I ex-
pect-I expected company. Your
class graduates In a few days. and
they Will have their commencement
exercises In the new theater."
Entertainment - oratory 49, sing
ing-and all that7"
"Yes, and viii Simpson, you
ltnov-you remember him--is vale
dictorian."
HE is. eh--um-humph. Where's
Tom Allen now, Bessie? AT SCHOOL,"
YES; he graduates too"
tom Brandes and Ned Brown"
Graduates. But why. what's the
matter with them?"
"One more. Bessie. please.
Where's Pig Jones4"
Ran away from home, and no
body knows whore he went"
"Good-thank you, Bessie. You're
brick--you're a fuli-powerod
newspaper-and, oh. by the way.
where's young Arthur"
Didn't you hear7 He went to
the Naval Academy over three
years ago. He was sent to a pre-
paratory school Just after you left"
Dick whistled softly.
And some time TIL have to take
orders from that" he muttered.
"I'm really grateful, Bessie" he
continued seriously as he srose u