Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-01-07


without remark Several men whom l
had seen in the village or met In the
highway nodded niniably. Gillespie,
knew was waiting somewhere; apd /
gave Rosaind nnal admonitions
Now be cheorful Re cordial! In case
Of doubt grow moody, and look out up
on the water, as though seeking an
answer in the stars Though I seem to
disappear I shall DO hanging about with
an eye for danger-signals. All! He APP
proachcs lie comes!'
Gillespie advanced eagerly, with happi-
ness nlight in his face.
Helen" he cried taking her hand;
and to me: "You are not SO great a liar
after all, 1rishman."
"Oh, Mr.. Donovan Is the ltndcst per-
imaginable" slIc replied and turned her
head darng,y so that the Hight from n
window fell full upon her and he gazed
at her with frank, boyish admiration.
Then she drew her wrap about her
shoulders md eat down on a bench with
her face in shadow, and as walked
away her laughter followed me chcerily.
! WAS promptly 81 izcd by a young man,
who fCisncd to have met mo In some
former incarnation. and introduced to a
gr from Detroit whose name shall
never know in this world. | remember
that she danced vol, and that she ask
cd me whether | knew people in Duluth,
Fond du La, paducah and Il number Of
towns which she recited like n geograrh-
ical index. Sne formed, I think, high
opinion OF my sense OF humor. for l
laughed at everything she said in my
General Joy Of the situation. After our
third dance I got her an zee and found
another cavalier for her. did not feel
Mt all "a cnntrite as I should have felt
as | strol'od round the veranda toward
Rosalind ard Gillespie. They were talk
Ing in low tones and did not heed me
until ! spoke to them.
"Oh. It's you. ia it?"--and Gillespie
looked up at me rcsen,fuly.
81 have been gone two years! It seems
to me am doing pretty we'll, all things
considered, What have you been talk
ing about"
Bout Cunts. an Griffuns, an Elves
An the Squdaicum-Squees at swalleri
therselves!'
nosalind quoted Il hope you have been
ENJOY ing yourself.
After dull fashion, yes"
II should like to tell her that, We sa "
YOU through The window. She struck Us
as very pretty. didn't she, Regsie?"
II didn't notice her" Gillespie replied
with so little interest that we both
laughed.
ITS too bad" remarked Eosalind
'that Aunt Pat couldn't have come with
vs. Il would have been a relief for her
to get away from that dreary schoo
house"
Il might go and fetch her" I sug
gested
II YOU do" said Gillespie. grinning
"you will not find us here when you ge
back"
Rosalind sighed. as though at The
I remembrance Of her aunt's forlorn exile
then the music broke out in two-step
Come We must have this dance"
she exclaimed. and Gillespie rose obedi
entity. followed. exchanging char witt
Rosalind until we came to the door
where she threw off her cloak for the
first time.
Lord and Protector. will you DO M
the honor"
1 II all happened in a moment. TOSSED
the cloak across my arm carelessly anc
she turned to Gillespie without lookin.
at me- He hestated- some word falter
ed on his lips. ! think It must have beer
the quick transition of her appearance
effected by the change from the rich
color Of tho cloak to the white Of hel
dress that startled him. She realized tn
danger Of the moment. and put her arm
on his arm.
We mustn't miss a note OF Il. Good
/ hy,"-and with q nod 10 me ! next saw
her FAR away amid the throng o
dancers.
AS caught up the cloak under m,
arm something cracked under my in
gers, and hurryins TO dirk corner 0
the veranda found the pocket an'
drew forth an envelope My conscience
confess. was agreeably quiescent. Yo'
may. II you wish. pronounce my conduc
at several points o. this narrative who'll.
ndefensible; but was engaged in
sincere effort 10 stra'shten out tho Hol
brook tangc and Helen had openly chal
lenged me. II could carry this decep
ton through successfully ! believed tina
within a few hours | might bring Herr
I1olbrook 10 ttrrna AS for Gillespie h
was far safer with Rosnllnd than wit
Helen. trust tho envelope into m
breast pocket and settled myself by III
veranda rail. where ! could loo; out up
on the lake and at the same time liee
an eye on the ballroom. And, TO b
frank about 4. felt rather pleased wit
myself. II would do Helen no grea
harm to walt for Gillespie on St. Aga
thas pier: the discipline OF disappoint