Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-04-07

He is the steamboat think Butt hop,
you won't have to leave US
Humphl" unused Hdrcth bitterly. "I suppos.
she is politely suggesting that here is chance to re-
move myself"
Aloud he said: I'm very much afraid that is jrs,
what must do think III hunt up Mr.. Tolman and
find out where can get train
Whatever doubts he might have had aboi, Miss
Nevilcs unwingness to part with him, there was no
question about his hosts reluctance
Blu. Hi!drcth insisted upon the necessity Of his
reaching ST Louis speedily than the boat could
So it was arranged that he should be landed at Boards
town
After he had been landed at the Bcardstown leyes
ne looked around for some carry his luggage
to the station
How can get these things 70 the train?" he asked
Of the usual group Of levee loune-rs.
" Mcbbe you get Haleys hack" one Of the
oungers observed. indicating riccty landau rceIing
down the street toward the levee
Almost before it had stopped woman jumped out
and ran down to the waters edge, frantcally waving
her handkerchiei-though without resut--at the two
boats which, after merely slowing down to let Hill
dreth make quick landing, had gone rapidly on until
they were now we'll down the where ten miles
below they to tie TIP.
=" Didn't those boats land here?" she demanded.
Just slowed up to let this gentleman ashore"
HAdreth lifted his hat as the woman turned toward
kim
YOU" she seemed to be taking rapid and some
what puzzled survey of him-"you were-one of the
pilots?"
"No," Hdreth shook his head "A mere guest"
"Oh, OF course with embarrassed laugh II
think you must be Mr.. Hildreth. L" was on my way
to catch the boat at PEORIA she went on my hus-
band wrote that he would be there tonight and I
thought would surprise him
"We to have been there" said Hidreth "but
the plans changed"
ooh, that's it! WE'LL as my train was coming into
town here had glimpse OF the boat and-wc
doubt if the porter has caught his breath yet!
She laughed but made a rueiul srnacc in the direc-
ton Of the boats.
George Tolman, aren't you ashamed to run Of
that way and leave your wife in this predicamcnt!"
she exclaimed.
Hldreh jumped. Then he thought that his cars
must have deceived him.
MAY know he asked icebly, " whom have the
pleasure oi-o wanting serve:"
"Why with look of surprise almost Of susp
cion-" why, IL thought you were my husbands
guest"
al was Mr.. Tolman's guest" Hildrch replied
"We--Mr Tolman is my husband"
"Your-"
Hldreth swallowed and tried again
"Your-husband? Then-you arc--Mrs. Tolman?'
not unnatural inference the ironical reply.
" Then you're-youre dsddf"
moving closer to the group OF loungcrs.
Mrs. Tolman," Hildreth said hurriedy in low
tone can see that you think belong in asylum
and don't blame you But 7piN you please tell
more-are you Mrs George Tolman the wife OF
the Of those boats and" he clinched the mat
ter" the mother of little Harold?"
Il ami" remarked the lady stifay
WELL" said Hildreth, 81 don't pretend to under
stand it. but assure you I'm delighted to find that
you the kind Of an angel you are instead Of the
kind though. you were" He turned to the deeply in
terested spectators Those boa.s 10 tie up about
ten miles below here and want a good team to take
this lady and myself down there"
1t with difficulty that Hhdreth reassured
Mrs Tolmau as his identity and his sauity. bat
when, in the of their ride he had given her@
under the seal OF secrecy-an account Of the comedy
OF errors which had shpwrecked him the Beards-
town levee, she regarded him with the sympathy with
which a woman always rewards \ for whom abe
has sentimental use herself when he let's her into
the secret OF his romantic Intentions.
II wonder, she said. with shrewd smile, whether
Mr. jerks will feel that you deserve . reward for And
ing the lost Mrs Tclmani"
ooh" protested Hildreth, "Jenks misunderstood
me, OF course"
Later Hildr-th conteuted himself with discovering
b. indirect tactics that the baldish young gentleman
who had called Tolman WILDLY man." used the
phrase OF figure Of speech for airy husband whose
wife present, whether due to her actual de-
cease or as in the OF Mrs Tolman to the sudden
illness OF a dear sister.
As FOR Harolds declaration that his cousin Dolly
to be his " second mamma" that hattcring
recognition OF Miss Ncvilles extreme dcsrabty that
iIidreth forgave its share in lis discontinue
It was until he was ba,k in St. Louis raptur-
ousy dividing his time between the house boat and
the jeweler who making the engagement ring to
order. that Hldreth found in hit aarket the telegram
which had acquired and lost importance with such
traordirary suddenness. At first he tried to wri,c
reply but tore up the feeble attempt and finally wired
tie long suffering Wicks as follows:
Local color of levee extremely variable Generally
black, but rose-color at present Particulars atc-
FRED.