Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-05-02

barrassed reply. 81 only mentioned I'd
heard there was some talk among
the He paused awkwardly, remem.
berin2 that Ariel had walked with
Joseph Louden in the face Of Canaan
there's some talk Of his running for
mayor"
"What?'
There was a general exclamation
followed Ivy an uncomfortable moment
or two of silence. No one present was
unaware of that noon walk. though
there was prevalent n pleasing notion
that 1t would not happen again, found.
ed on the idea that Ariel. having only
arrived the previous evening, had prob
ably met Joe on the street by accident
and. remembering him as n playmate
Of her childhood and uniformed rs to
his reputation, had, naturally enough.
permitted him to walk home with her.
Mr. Flitcroft broke the silence. rush
Ing into words with derisive laugh
Yes. he's talked Of for mnyor--by
the saloon people and the niggers. |
expect the Beaver Beach crowd would
be for him, and If tramps could vote
he might
what is Beaver Beach," asked Ariel.
not turning.
What is Beaver Beach" he repeat
cd and cast his eyes 10 the sky. shak-
Ing his head awesomelv. ITS u place -
he said, with abysmal solemnity-"a
nlnrp I ct,nttlJ,,', lao,
your presence. Miss Tabor
What has It to do with Mr. Lou.
DEM"
The predestined Norbert conceived
the present to be Il heaven sent oppor.
tunity to enlighten her concerning Joe'e
character since the Pixies appeared TO
have been derelct In the performance
Of this Kindness.
lie goes there" he proceeded heav
lily. He lived there for awhile whcn
he first came rac,; from running away
and he's friend Of Mike Shceian's
that runs It. HES friend Of all til,
riflrar that hang around there"
How do you know he goes there?"
WHY. it was in the paper the dai
after he came back" He appealed f.
confederation. Wasn't it, Eusene?"
no, no" she persisted "Newspa
pers are sometimes mistaken. arenl
they? Have you ever met any or.
who has seen him there"
I've seen him there myself" Th
words skipped out Of Norberts mout.
iI-n Il d,
he opened It. She had spoken so qulc,
ly and with such vehemeMce. lookin
him full in the eye. that he had fer
gotten everything in the world eXceV
making the point to which her irsi:'
ence had led him.
Mamie looked Mortified. There was y
sound of smOthcred laughter. and Nor.
bert, overwhelmed Ey the treachery o.
his own mouth. sat gasping.
at can't he such terrific place, then.
after ALL" said Ariel gently, and. turn
ing to Eugene, Have you ever been
there, Mr.. Bantry?" she asked.
He changed color. but answered with
enough glbness. NO"
Several of the young men rose The
wretched FlitcToft, however, evadinc
NAMES eye. in which there was dis
tinct hint, sat where he was until all
of them, except Eugene, had taken a
reluctant departure, one group after
another, leaving in the order of their
arrival.
Ariel started to her feet, but the bent
figure coming up the walk in the dark
ness was that Of Eskcw Arp. lie
bowed gloomily to Mamie and in re-
Spouse to her inquiry if he wished to
see her father answered no; he had
come to talk with the granddaughter
Of his old friend Roger Tabor.
"Mr. Arp" called Ariel. II am so
very glad" She ran down to him and
gave him her hand. "Well sit here on
the bench. shan't WEI"
Mamie had risen and. skirting Nor
bert frostly, touched Eugene upon the
shoulder as she went up the steps. He
understood that he was to follow her
indoors, and, after deep look at the
! bench where Ariel had seated herself
! beside Mr.. Arp, he obcyed. Norbert
was left a lonely ruin between the
cold twin dogs. He had wrought desc.
| lation this afternoon, and that sweet
verdure, hi; good name, so long in the
planting SO carefully tended was now
II dreary waste; yet he contemplated
this not 90 much rs his present aspect
Of splendid isolation. Frozen by the
daughter OF the house, forgotten rs
the visitor, whose conversation with
Mr.. Arp was carried on In tones 50
low that he could not understand it,
the fat one, though kingly
loath to take himself away, began to
comprehend that his hour had struck
He rose, descended the steps to the
bench and seated himself unexpcct-
edly upon the cement walk at Ariers
feet.
Legs gone to sleep" he explained
In response TO her startled exclama-
ton, but, like great soul, Ignoring
the accident Of his position as well as
the presence OF Mr.. Arp, he immedi:
ately proceeded, "Will you go riding
| with me tomorrow afternoon"
Aren't you very good natured, Mr.
F4itcroftT she asked, with an odd In
tonation.
"Im imposed ON often enough" he
Ill ~ 4