Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-29

sent her check for the larger amount
and at q subsequent interview affirmed
the statements made by her unreliable
relative.
SO she went back to her caste, and
her caste welcomed her with open
arms, and the dear woman thanked
daughter might now accept the attcn-
tons OF any man, no matter how rich
he might be, for she saw the drift of
Philips wishes, and, If Evelyn were
married to him, surely all their pre-
vious trials might be deemed fortunate.
She little dreamed that imperlous
Philip had ordered matters his own
way.
1t was not to his thinking that his
bride should come to him from the
gcntecl obscutitv of Mazda Crescent,
He would give her n great position.
worthy of the highest in the land, and
it was better for her that he should
WOO and win her from the ranks of
her order.
1t should not be imagined that he
was hasty In his decision. To his mind,
Evelyn and he were known to each
other since they were children. 1t was
not by the Maynard caprice Of chance
that he met her on the night Of the
metcor's fall nor again that be came
to her assistance 4 second time after
the lapse of years.
II was his mothers work. He was
faithful to her memory 49, she to her
trust. Never did his confidence waver.
On the day that Evelyn consented to
marry him he showed her his mothers
photograph and told her his belief.
The girls happy tears believed the
picture.
"a good son makes good husband"
she murmured. mamma says I have
been a good daughter, and I will try to
be good wife. Philip
Apparently these young people had
attained the very pinnacle Of earthly
happiness. There was no cloud, no OBJ
stacle All that was best in the world
was at their feet.
Some such thought fitted through
Philips active brain once when Evelyn
and he We're discussing the future.
"Of course we will be busy" he said.
laughing. "You are such an industTi-
Gus little woman--what? Well. such
an industrious tall woman that the
days won't be long enough for all you
will find to do. AS for me, | suppose
I must try and earn peerage. Just to
! give you your proper place In society,
and then we will grow Old gracefully"
ooh, Philip" she cried placing her
hands on his shoulders, I'VE met once
as children for few minutes. Fate
ordained that we should meet again
under strange circumstances. We were
| separated for years. Can fate play us
any uncanny trick that will separate
us AGAIN."
well. sweetheart, fate, in the shape
Of Vale, is coming for me at G. I'm
less you wish me to send for my man
and dress here
sometimes I cannot quite credit my
good fortune" she said softly. Tel
me, dearest. how did you manage tc
live until you We're twenty-five with
out falling in love with some other
girl?"
THAT is ridiculOusly easy. Tell me
| how you managed to escape matrmony
until you were twenty-five and you
are answered.
"phlip, II liked you that night
saw YOU in the square. You We're n
woehegone little boy. but you were SO
brave and gave me your hand to helr
me from the carriage with the air Of a
young lord"
"And ! have cherished your face In
my waking dreams eyer since. You
looked like n fairy. And how you stuck
up for me against your uncle
"Tel me, what did you think of mt
when you saw me standing disconso
late in the park?"
Tell. tell, tell-it was nothing bu
sweet questions and sweet assurances
that this pair of turtle doves had beer
seeking each other through all eternity
Their wedding was fixed for tho mid
die OF July Sharp work, it may h
said, but what need was there to wait
Mr. Abingdon was greatly pleased Will
Philips choice aud urged him to settl'
down at tho earliest possible date.
Mrs. Atherlcy, too. raised no protest
The sooner her beloved daughter wa
married the more rapidly would lif'
resume its normal aspect. They WoulC
not be long parted from each other,
The young people had no houSekcep
ing cares. Philips mansions were re
plote with all that could be desired b,
the most fastdious taste, His yach
was brought to the Solent so that the,
could run over to Portsmouth on ;
motor car to inspect her, and Evelyn
instantly determined that their honey
moon in Etretat should be curtailed Il
permit them to go for q three weeks
cruise around the British coast.
This suggestion Of course appealed
to Philip. Nothing could be more de
lishtful. He whispered in Evelyn
ear that he would hug her for the de;
at the first favorable opportunity.
One morning. day of June rain.
letter reached Philip 1t bore the print
ed superscription, 1.-The Hall, Beltham
Devon" but this was struck out ant
another address substituted It wa
written In scrawling, wavering hand
the caligraphy Of man old and YER.
i'll. 1t read:
My Dear Phillip am Iylns at the poin
Of death SO ! u-. no iabored words I
explain why l al ir~-, YOU in such man
ner. / want to .el! You how bitterly
regret the injustice | showed TO your dea
mother and my sister II, of your char
ity, you will come 10 my bedside and as
sure a feeble old man Of your forgive
| bn