Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-23

N three participants In the
Y strange reunion turned. For
4 n a second or more they faced
the crimson faced. mfounded Perry
without a word. Here was an element
In the affair on which neither Phelan
nor Cynthia had counted when giving
Thompson their promise not to reveal
his identity. They gradually realised
this. and it left even the ready wittsd
Phelan speechloss.
Perry hireseIf was first TO break the
spell.
"Well," lie observed, with an assump-
ton OF airy scorn that was meant to
he annihilating "you all seem quite
happy. Don't mind me. I'm sorry to
butt in on this cute little love fest. but
I left a fnncsc here. Perhaps one Of
you cnn explain what's happened to
her since r.
"Oh, Perry" exclaimed Cynthia,
don't he silly! I'll tell you all about
It some time. II is"-
Some time"' sQuealed Perry, rnge
battering down his attempt at sarcasm.
Some time Maybe It might be Just
ne we'll II you did condesceud to ex-
plain Here you promise to marry me.
and ten minutes later I find you in a
catch-as-catch-can hug with this ugly
little shrimp and Pheian looking on as
happy as II he'd eaten canary! And
then you've got the gall to tell me
you'll explain some tiner"
He glared at Cynthia In all the maj
esty Of outraged devotion. only to sur
prise on that young lady's face . look
that indicated a violent struggle with
the desire to laugh.
This is funny all right. I guess not!'
he snapped. Cynthia, you've mauled
and smashed a loving heart. and I'll
make hit with myself By forgiving
you, but as for you." wheeling about
and thrusting his furious face to With
in three inches Of Thompson's lmmo-
bile CONFERENCE.-The for you. I'm go
ing to do all sorts Of things to you the
moment Miss Garrison VIII have the
kindness TO shassay out of the room.
Your sorrowful relatives will have all
manner OF fun sorting you out when
I've finished with you! Steal my
sweetheart. would you, not ten min
utes after Id"-
There" interposed Phelan. showing
his powerful hulk good natured'y be
tween the two younger men and link
ing his arm In Pcrry's. Nov you've
got quite bunch Of hot words Cd
your chest. an you'll be in better shap<
to hear sense. Amt you Just a little
bit ashamed"
"Ashame cdr sputtered Perry. "who
~ Well that
"Yes. you. youngster. and II you hol
Ter like that in comply I'll sure b,
forced to wind up by spankin' yon
Now, stand Oh there--no. over ther'
where you can see Miss Garr1son-ar
listen to me. So! Now. FIRST Of sil
did you happen to be in love with thl'
young lady?"
TITS none of your measly business
but did"
Why'd you ask her to hitch up witt
you for keeps?"
because I loved her and
Because you had lot Of faith I,
her. too hey? persisted the alderman
YES. and a nice way she's"-
pretty girl. too" unused Phsian .
II TO himself. "In my young days II
could n got little beauty like tina
to sign articles with me I'd a though
was the original Lucky Jim. I'd"-
$50 did r." interrupted Perry holly
up
But Phelan was continuing In tn
same abstract monologue:
AN If could "A seen froN he
eyes 0ike any dough head could Sc
from Miss Garrison's) that she had
heart as big as watermelon an a
: true as a Bible text an as warm as
happy mans hearth f1re-well, X T.
seen all that an got wise to the go
geous news that that same heart wa
just chock.a block full of love for m
own ornery, cheap skate self I'd I
Topped down on both knees an ser
up q bunch Of prayers to be allowed
90 on dreamin' an never, never wax
up"
: Phelan paused. This time Perry di
not break in. and the half audible mol
elegue continued:
"1'd have had the sense to know tn,
a girl with eyes like those couldn't /
a hirt an couldn't double cross tt
I man she loved II her life depended O
her dom It. I'd "a licked any guy thi
said she could, an II I'd seen her kis
In another man ia a punched myse
on the jaw an called myself 4 liza
That's what Jimmy Phelan Of Il
: Eighth would "a done. AM
Say" broke in Perry in a curiOus'
{ yubdued voice. These eyes Of mir
DO funny things sometimes. I'll bet
!. they played q joke On me 1ust nov
And even II they didn't don't belle,
:. 'em. Cynthia, I'm dead stuck on 20,
u You're all right even II you did happe
10 be acting . tribe eccentric a fe
minutes ago. You can explain or NJ
:. a. yeu like. II you'll Just say you To-
). me. that's ace high with yours truly
!" He slipped an arm about her wal
!. a. he spoke. awkwardly seeking
atone for his recent anger. The %
4 rotary looked at them for an instaE
d then said briefly:
2. you can tell him. Cynthia. Hes
10 good fellow. Come on. alderman.
u think you and l stlll have sonethir
n to say to each other"
70 Cynthia and Perry drifted away
ward the conservatory again, quite Q
Z. llvious Of the others. while Phelan al
a the 4ecretary made their way to
IL serted alcove Oh tho ballroom.