Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-28

not Ttldltu W tllc W. Noh
look the part"
Now she smiled dlvinely. And why
not. pray? HIS sister was my mother"
In order to establish a line on which
to base my calculations. would you
mind telling me who your father ISL"
He asked the question with his most
appealing smile, a smile so frankly i'm
pudcnt that she could not resent 1t.
MY father Is dead" she said seri-
ously. land my mother is dead. Now
can YOU understand why l am living
here with my uncle? Even an amateur
may rise to that. Now, sir, do you
expect to purchase the sword? II not
shall replace it In the window
That's what I came here for" said
he. resenting her tone and the icy look
she gave him.
Il gathered that you came in the ca
pacity of Sherlock Holmes or some
thing else" She added the last three
words with unmistakable meaning.
She was leaning toward him. her
hands on the counter peculiar CLEAN
in her dark eyes, which now for the
first time struck him as rather more
keen and penetrating than he had sus-
pected before.
81 simply want to tell you. Mr. King.
tboi unless you really expect to buy
this sword 1t Is not wise In you to
make 1t an excuse for coming here"
MY dear young lady. u
"My uncle has a queer conception Of
the proprieties. He may think that
you come to see me. Young men may
chat with shopgirls all the world over.
but in Edelweiss, no, unless they come
to pay most honorable court to them.
My uncle would not understand"
II take it, however, that you would
understand" he said boldly.
Il have lived in Vienna. in Paris
and In London, but now l am living
In Edelweiss. l have not been shop
girl always"
II can believe that. Ny deductions
nre justified"
"My uncle is returning" she remark
ed suddenly. Il must not talk to you
any longer" She glanced uneasily
out upon the square and then hurried
ly added. a certain usefulness in her
voice and eyes, II couldn't help it to-
day. ] forgot my place. But you arc
the first gentleman I've spoken to
since came here"
When Spantz entered the door the
girl was going lstlessly from the
window and Truxton King was lean
Ing against the counter with his bach
toward her, his arms folded and @
most impatient frown on his face
Spantz's black eyes shot from one tC
the other. what do you want?" he
demanded sharply.
1.-THE broadsword. And. say, Mr.
6pantz you might assume u different
tone In addressing me. I'm Gus
TONER, not beggar."
The girl left the window and wakes
slowly to the rear Of the shop, passing
through the narrow door. without 81
much as glance at King or the ole
man. Spantz was silent until she wal
gone.
"You want the broadsword. eh p h,
asked. undertaking his tone considera
bly,. ITS q rare old
IN give you a hundred dollars--no
another cent" interrupted King. no
vet over his resentment. There fol
lowed a long and irritating argument
at the conclusion of which Mr.. KIM
became the possessor Of the weapon a
hls own price.
"Pll come in again." he said indlffer
entity.
But you are leaving tomorrow. sir.
'Tve changed my mind"
Then you have discovered some
thing In Edeweiss to attract you?
grinned the old armorer.
II dare say you're right. Clean tina
sword up Il bit for me. and III drol
In tomorrow and get It, Here's 6
gayvos to bind the bargain-the res