Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-25


them. Shelly, Swinbu-nc, Keats Keats Keatst
Why, you mist have copies Of al the editions that
were ever printed" She Strengthened herself, and
still kneeling, stared 1T Miss Fletcher Who had
moved away across The room and was absently
lcking :hc dead leaves from a Towering liant.
Il Thought we had about all there were So. con-
tinred in moment, "bu. you have 50 many more.
What an exquisite covert" sic exclaimed, taking a
volume from the stci and opening it carefully
Let me show you this carving .iss F,ctchers
voice broke in abrtb'y-it was almost harsh, and
she advanced brusqucly-"Such beautiful carving;
a friend brought me the other Jay from JAPAN you
see t!'
But Mrs. Withc:by seemed unaware OF any inter
ruption. Turning the leaves of the volume she held,
she whispercd
They all ma,ked--thc ones he is always
raving over ard wanting to read aloud" As if un-
consciously. She turned to the frcnt OF the volume,
but suddenly she closed it resolutey, and rising ad-
vanced upon Miss Fletcher, who had stood waiting
and watching her nervously. "I didn't look 20 see
who gave it to YOU" she said 81 don't reed to.
know You nrc the other woman I always
knew there was one
There always is ONE said Miss Fletcher, facing
her gravey.
YES" Mrs. Withcrby conceded, "but for YOU he
never would have all those whims, those tastes
if you like that better None of the rcst-his brothers
fads," she went on, sweeping it with unfrendly
eyes. why, just now, when you tool: away those
lilies, with such look Of distrust, it came over me
in fash He can't endure their perfume either
The sweetest things! wanted them for my wedding
bouquet, but even then I had to give them up
didn't know why But l know now" she added,
bitterly-"it because you didn't like them"
lust possible | didn't becausc-he didn't" sug-
gested Miss Fletcher.
mo! No! Men don't have those fances He.,
queer because you made him so. And have to b.
queer-as far as can--becausc you were So It's
insulting" And dropping upon couch, Mrs Wither-
by turned her head away and let her eyes gaze into
vacancy.
Il saw him week or two ago." the other woman
began from her seat the room no. mean
sag him." she repeated, Mrs Witherby started
and looked up please understand that had no suspi-
cion he was living here when happened on this place
He was walking that day I saw him. ard passed him
IN cab. He did not look very queer as you call it
wondered If it could be he don't believe hurt him
very much. He has grown stout; and he looked
Portable and-pardon since speaking so very
frankly-a little bored"
He is comfortable" asserted the wife; ~ hope
make him So And if he is bored sometimes why so are
all men after they've been married and settled half
dozen years-if they are happy"
"Hc-says SOP"
"Fe doesn't need to say so,' answered Mrs Witherby
the color rising in her cheeks II can see it for myself
"Oh yes. of course" conceded Miss Fletcher and
rising she began to pace up and down speaking in hd
low sweet voice if unconscious of the other woman
presence. 1T such beautiful time - she sirhed
"A dream filled with visions Of spring-time, with
low delicious laughter and the pure joy Ct living The
things of life turned faces on Us for the
FIRST time we knew the mysterious happiness that fills tho
depths of the woods the aching sweetness of Tho
hermit-thrushs lonely note The moon shone for ~
alone above the quiet meadows lighted Us as We
raced hand in hand the long sparkling slopes e
winter The poets sang for u.s. leaning down to our
hearts Music made her lutte and remblcd r.spon-
sve in one breath Every smallest atom in my whole
body lived and exuted in Gving-and what felt he felt
had Only to look in his eyes to be sure Of H." Her
voice had risen with the rising tide of memory and shs
stood now exalted. smiling
a haf-stiiled cry called her back IF it was an So
beautiful the other woman soobed, why didn't you
30 on?"
DO dreams so ou' The exquisite voice had lost il.
eXuant note and was very gentle They seem &c
last thousand years while dreaming tlcmt
their memory is often part of lives, hut when
wake they are gone like bubble that bursts ]: was
dream, mirage of youth. There is nothing to vast.
any tears on, believe me- He had 10 go to work. rad
his way to make, had yon to marry by and b.. had
my vocation calling TO me- ever then my foot was OF
tho ladder could not stay any longer Cor dream
since dreams do not last AS she spoke she crossed thu
ROOM and dropping to her knees bent her smooth dark
head above the fair. dshevelcd tina: va: still half
buried in the pillows.
Don't you that it all drcam?" she whispered
gently "a dream-nohing more And don't you sec that
If am the other woman he another man. The
man you married you have always had; he revcr
mine. And" she added rising to her feet. ",nv was
yours"
Eyes. perhaps so." and Mrs. Wtherby, rising also
ignored the traces Of her tears and smiled rather
crooked little smile "But al the scmc haze TO live
with your Keath and yoSi Botticcls sr.--.nd so with
out my lilles," she ended whimsically
"And II" asked the other holding out he, sa.d az
there nothing 70 without 1t is tn. ca.,mor lot
Goodbye. Count on me for the Babies
-.-Q9ssHa Mssass,sssaaaD