Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-20

we called council OF war for that
night that we might view matters in
the light OF Pickering's letter. His
assuredness In ordering me to leave
made prompt and decisive action
necessary on my part. summoned
Stoddard to our conference, feeling
confident Of his friendliness.
"Of course said the broad-shoul.
dered chaplain, IF you could show that
your absence was on business of very
grave Importance, the courts might
construe in your favor"
Larry looked at the ceiling and blew
rings OF smoke languidly. I had not
disclosed to either Of them the cause
of my absence. On such matter
knew I should get precious little sym
pathy from Larry, and I had, more
over, a feeling that could not discuss
Marian Devereux with any one; | even
shrank from mentioning her name
though It rang like the call of bugles
in my blood.
She was always before me,--the
charmed spirit Of youth, linked to
every foot Of the earth, every CLEAN Of
the sun upon the ice-bound lake, every
glory of the winter sunset All the
good impulses ! had ever stihed were
quckened to life by the thought Of her.
Amid the days perplexities ! started
sometimes, thinking heard her voice,
her girlish laughter. or saw her again
coming toward me down the stairs, or
holding against the light her fan with
its golden butterflies. I really knew
so little of her; | could associate her
with no home, only with that last fling
of the autumn upon the lake, the snow
driven woodland, that twilight hour at
the organ in the chapel those stolen
moments al the Armstrong;. | re-
scented the pressure Of the hours af-
fairs, and chated at the necessity for
talking of my perplexities with the
good friends who were there to help.
I wished to be alone, to yield to the
sweet mood that the thought of her
brought me. The doubt that crept
through my mind as to any possibility
of connivance between her and Picker
ing was as vague and fleeting as tho
shadow of swallows wing on a
sunny meadow.
You don't intend fighting the fact
OF your absence, do you?" demanded
Larry, after a Ions silence.
"Of course not replied fiercely.
pickering was right on my heels, and
my absence vas known to his men
here And IL would not he square to
my GRANDPA er,-who never harmed a
flea, may his blessed soul rest in
peace!-to lie about it. They might
nail me for perjury besides"
Then the quicker we get ready for
a siege the hetter. AS I understand
your attitude you don't intend to
move out until you've found where the
siller's hidden. Being gallant gen
tleman and Of forglving nature, you
want to be sure that the lady who is
now entitled 70 It gets all there is
coming to her and as you don't trust
the executor any further than true
Irishman trusts a British prime minis
ter's promise, you're going to stand by
to watch the bullion counted. is tina.
a correct analysis of your intentions?"
That's as near one of my ideas as
you're likely TO get
Spoken like man Of spirit. And
now we'd better stock up at once, in
case we should be shut off from our
source of supplies. This is lonely
place here; even the school is a re.
mote neighbor Better let Bates raid
the village shops tomorrow. I've
tried being hungry, and l don't care to
repeat the experience"
81 can't imagine really cant be-
lieve," began the chaplain, that Miss
DevereuX will want to be brought
into this estate matter in any way. In
fact. l have heard Sister Theresa say
AS much suppose there's no way .,
preventing a man from leaving hts
property to young woman who has
no claim on him.-who doesn't want
anything from him
Bah, these women, People don't
throw legacies to the birds these days
OF course she'll take it," observed
Larry.
Then his eyes widened and met mine
in a gaze that reflected the mystifica.
ton and wonder that struck both of
us. Stoddard turned suddenly from
the fire, into which he had been gaz-
ing, exclaimng:
What's that? There's some one up
stairs"
Larry was already running toward
the hall, and | heard him sprinGins
up the steps like a cat, while Stoddard
and l followed,
Where's Bates" demanded the
chaplain,
I'll thank you for the answer" l
replied.
Larry stood at the top of the stair
case, holding a candle at arms length
in front of him. staring about
We could hear quite distinctly some
one walking down a stairway; the
sounds were unmistakable, just as
had heard them on TWO previous occa-
sions, without ever being able to trace
their source.
The noise ceased suddenly, leaving
us with no hint OF its whereabouts.
went directly to the rear of the
house and found Bates putting the
dishes away in the pantry.
Where have you been?" de.
handed.
Here, sir; have been clearing up
tho dinnnr thinuc Clonar,,, L..