Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-27

you ache all night, and work. all day. all day"
She stopped. Her mind wandered back to darker
days and she lost her way in tange Of gloomy yet
sordid memories, fraught with WEAKNESS and pain.
Pat the light Of the coaloil lamp falling on his red
curs listened to this Intimate revelation with strange
emotions This was womans life. To this he had
wished-did still wsh-to drag his dainty Sheilah!
He loathed himself The whole scheme Of creation
seemed wrong. 1t seemed to him that only the
rich had the right to- wed. And yet his longing for
Sheiah the torment of his days and Of his nights,
and evening he SGT off 10 the brown-stone mansion
CT Mrs. Van Tessel, and penetrating the outworks
Of the fortress with some difficulty, found side
trance and asked to see Sheilah.
lie shown to n small room in the basement
and hidden to wait Shellah at last, in her pink
chambray trinity fitting. her dark hair, no longer
slim waist encrcled by what might have been dolls
apron. Pat looked who has vision He
rose trembling, twisting his cap in his hands, and
looking at her speechlessly She had always been
somewhat Of marvel to him. but never so danty
apart, so overwhelmingly remote.
"Why, Pat, I'm glad to see you" she said "Sit
down. Mother told me you've kept we'll"
"sheah!" he implored. "Oh, Sheilah!"
dim shape of abnegation had begun to form Of
late in his mind lie himself, going solitary all
his days that she might be free Of care and trouble
This dim shape melted into mist at the sight of her
Come what might, he wanted her with passion that
seemed to burn him he stood before her Primitive
desires rose in his mind. He could have snatched her
up, and carried her away as the Sabine women were
borne away. Perhaps If his knowledge of history had
afforded him that precedent. Shelah might not that
night have returned to her tiny under the brown
stone caves But she did Convention mastered Pat
and he hardly pressed the little hand she gave him
She was sweetly gentle. She chatted to him OF
the spendors of the house. OF the numbers of the
wants of the entertainments the dresses the report
ers. and the reporters blunders
why Pat, they said that Mrs. Van Tessel blue
chiffon and pearls, and all the time it Nile
moussene and emeralds! know, for was called
IN to hold down the train while her naidsshe has
two-sewed lilies Of the valley on IT, On Pat.
How I'd like to be wearing the things see"
Dye like SEEM them, when you cant?" he asked
at last Don't We want to come away from 1t? Don't
We want to be the Of little little place instead
of being servant here?'
Sheilah's dark eyes wldened.
Queen Of little place? How nicely you put II,
Pat But the queen Of that little place would have
to scrub wouldn't she? and cook, and carry water.
and split kindline and wash and iron? Why, my
washng's done for me, here, And live just as
well. almost, the people upstairs, DO Pat
And that matters to you? Why, Sheilah seems to
me, I'd eat dry bread all my life to be near You"
The girl turned to him sweetly. Pat, you make
me feel so mean! l wish l was like mother.
wish"
She stopped. She had meant TO say az wish you
didn't care" But she looked at the honest, homey
face the clear blue eyes the red curly head she could
not utter the wish,
Il guess don't fall in love tn, way some do" she
crazy the third footman! Sometimes Milly and
get scared she'll make away with herself If he don't
notice her. And he won't because he's Just crazy
the second lady's maid, and she well, You see
she's so above him that he might Just we'll be in
love with Mrs Van Tesse herself while he's about IT,"
Fat felt pang OF sympathy with the stricken
housemaid, and desire to thhmp the unresponsive
fooman into Jelly. But another fear awakened
within him--a fear for which the footman was re-
sponsibe.
"sheilah The place just with 'em-liv
cries and all! Do you?" He stopped
But Sheilah's frank smile dsarmed his jealous
anger.
"Oh no Pat, don't care for any Of EN- like
the comfort of the life But. when it to
there's no one like as much as like YOU"
And for some days ne gave himself TO hard thinking
Mrs. Moriarty missed him sorely for he came no