Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-06-07


me. Dick" he added earnestly, "is
there, or rather was there, anything
between you and Bessio?"
Nothing but what you saw" said
Dick, dimly beginning 10 realize the
truth. II hadn't seen her since leav-
Ing school---we we're chums then
and ! called to get news OF the gang
| was after; then, as I was about to
leave, obeyed an impulse"
And so did l." said Breen. mus
ingly. I've been Jealous fool. How
did she take tiff It's fair ques-
ton"
"Sho put ME out" answered Dick,
gloomily; hated mel was never
to speak TO her again. And she wrote
her further opinion OF me to the Yer.
mont"
did she?" laughed Breen. Bless
her--and sent the letter IN my care,
and made matters worse. She must
have known that I'd recognize her
handwriting. thought you were in
close correspondence, and that 1t was
delicate hint for me to step down
and out"
No; l never got such a roasting
In my life; and she even enclosed
clipping from the paper calling me
all sorts of hard names. 1t was in
that letter that she told OF your en-
gagement to Miss Arthur. Why, she
spoke OF the engagement ring-a
diamond"
"A diamond? Yes, / selected one
for her and sent It from New York;
but her father paid for 1t"
1T was easy for me to believe It,"
said Dick. she had leased me about
you In the house. and after my evic-
ton followed you to the corner and
saw you call at the Arthurs."
There's something funny behind
all this. Dick" said Breen, after a
moments thought. 1t was Miss
Arthur herself who clinched my sus-
picfons concerning you and Bessie.
l understand now what allied you In
the navy yard. but thought you were
an all-round crank, sore at me for
catching you kissing your best girl,
Dick. we've done we'll. In spite Of
this mutual dstrust and jealousy,
we've managed to become good
friends. Let 1t go at that for the
| present"
Mabel's father, sad-faced but
genial. met them on the platform.
II received your telegram" he
said. as he shook hands with Breen,
and hurried over to meet you; but
| | have only few minutes, board
meeting, you see, and am wanted
and this Is Mr.. Halpin,' he added.
| Offering Dick his hand. Il recognize
/ you as the sailor who revolutionized
our town government-this in fact,
! Is the business before the board.
congratulate you. young man, on
your promotion. You were with my
son when he died, hear"-the old
gentleman's voice quavered a little
land when we have time you must
tell me how he died"
''I can tell you now, Mr.. Arthur"
said Dick, gravely and earnestly; "he
died like a mana brave man"
Il am glad to hear that-but-
you must tell me all. Meanwhile
both of you. consider my house your
home while you are here. Mabel is
expecting you. l cannot be at din
ner. fear! but you will go at once
to the house, will you not?"
They went to the Hotel Morrisey
still wearing Its large sign, though
the versatile Morrisey was replaced
by stranger.
A young man had hurricdly en-
tered the dining room. but, on seeing
the two officers at the table. had
the room.
TITS Ned Brown said Dick. with
d laugh, the only one of the crowd
that missed that day. Perhaps he
feared his turn had come"
They caught a momentary glimpse
Of Ned through the open door nego-
tiating with newsboy; then he dis
hat In hand. entered the dining room
and advanced toward them.
Mr.. Browns compliments, sir, 10
Mr.. Halpin." he said, and laid a pa
per before them. Then ne vanished,
while Dick glanced through the pa
per.
Things certainly are coming my
way" he said at last. He handed the
paper to Breen, with his finger mark
Ing a column. Read II aloud.
only read part" Breen read the fol-
lowing -
Through misapprehension and
misinformation on our part, we have
In these columns made certain dis
paraging comments on Richard Hal
pin. formerly a native Of Allville
and who, as most of our readers will
remember returned lately and served
out some poetic justice to certain
enemies OF his schooldays. Among
the comments we made at the time
and which we take pleasure in re-
tracing. was one concerning his
honesty, wherein we erroneously
charged him with being expelled
from school for stealing. AS we
learn, such a charge was made. but
we are aware now that Mr.. Halpir
was clearly and honorably cleared o.
the stigma at the time It happened
Mr.. Halpin has acquitted himself
with great credit to himself as {
sailor in the navy during the late
! war having won his sDUrs or rather