Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-10-28
CHAPTER VI.

"HD door closed. and Pinckney
N turned to Mrs. Durnnt.
Did you see thntf" he OK.
claimed. "She's going to the
door with bim-going right out there
with him. ] never saw anything like
It in my life"
Frances mother smiled indulgcntly.
well. what II she ISL" she said.
For goodness sake, Edward, let the
child be polite"
Pinckney was losing all vestige Of
caution and self control.
She's in love with him. tell you,
she's In love with him"
Mrs. Durant smiled.
Frances In love with MIR. Sommcrs.
Why. Edward, you're ridiculous"
The man was walking up and down
the floor excitedly Now he stopped in
front of her
Ridiculous nothing he exclaimed.
"You won't say It's ridiculous when
this penniless ndvcnturer carries her
isn't safe. He's not the kind of man
to be with Frances. should have
protested before. I'm sorry didn't I
tell you. Mrs. Durant. It makes my
blood boil to see It. can't stand IT,
won't stand IT."
Edward" Mrs. Durant was not
smiling now. Her face was stern.
grim. almost like her husbands. do
you realize what you're saying;" she
demanded sternly. 1T isn't for you to
criticise what Frances does one way
or another. | will attend to that Her
father and | have charge Of her and
no one else. For you to make any such
speech Is presumptuous."
Pinckney bowed. rebukcd.
I'm sorry" he said. Il suppose
was presumptuous. but'-his voice
broke with real feeling. Il feeling Of
fear and disappointed ambition that
Mrs. Durant mistook for love-''lt is
hard after the dreams I've had and
the plans we've made. | tell you, It's
a fearful thing to stand by and see
;ou and Mr. Durant calmly helping
ths sailor to win her"
Nlio Dul sibi
Now. now, Edward" she said
You take 1t too seriously. You know
that George and | have no idea Of
helping him to win her. I: any one Is
helping him you are the one"
Pinckney looked at her amazed.
~" he exclaimed.
Frances mother nodded.
Exactly" she said you are help
Ing him by your very apparent jeal-
ousy. There Is nothing that will spur
girl to he particularly nice to enc
man so much as knowledge that
some one she cares for is seeing and
writhing"
Pinclney opened his eyes. Like
many another schcmer he had de
voted all his time to circumventins
men, and he really knew compare
lively little about women.
but she hasn't seen that | notice
it." he protested. shes Leon toe
busy with him TO notice anyt 4.ng"
The mother laughed out loud ut his
bitter tone
Nonsense. Edward Mr. Sommers
is n nice young man. and ! don't
blame her for enjoying his visits
Goodness knows. nice young men arc
not so plentiful in Pittsburg"
Pinckney looked at her reproachfully
Il thought You ut least were on my
side" he complained. Il didn't ex
poet you'd be against me"
He sat down In a big chair and
stared gloomily at the fire, Mrs, Du
rant came over to rest one hand af
fectlonatcly on his shoulder.
81 am on your side. Edward she
said seriously. you know that. You
know perfectly well that her father
and both hope with all our hearts
that some day we shall see you two
married"
He turned eagerly and, reaching up
caught her hand.
"Then why don't you speak to bel
Of IT." he exclaimed. Let her under
stand your wishes"
The woman looked down on hin
with plying smile.
You poor boy" she said "Yo,
must be desperate You want me t
propose for you. Well. If George Du
rant had come to my mother She
ended with nod almost savage.
Perhaps he did for all you know,
ev"ln lined pinckuey