Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-01-27
393GGG
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
By Sara Ware Bassett.

Lessons certainly are frghtful things said Made
mentaresr after an afternoon Of study Il do beeye
he wouldn't have liked it any better than like to learn
Latin"
The bang of the front door arrested her
"Why, its Tom! Hello, Tom" she cried I'm up
Up the broad staircase came Brother Tom" two
steps at time. and Madeline sprang to meet him and
dragged him into her coy study.
How came YOU up from Harvard to-day she asked
cutting lccures:'
"No,' replied Tom, rt,hling up her neatly smoothcd
hair with the brothery instinct and returning
her greeting bit uncasiy, 81 just had the chance and
so | came home for dinner
Tom" cried Madeline, there is something the mat
ooh, no, there isn't-that is, not much; I simply
wanted to Dad Tom avertod his eyes and looked
out OF the window in nervous embarrassment
Nov. Tom, see here" said Madeline firmly, there
have gone and ovcrspcnt your allowance-I know you
haveand YOU are gong to ask Father for more money.
ID be p to- ec6 nS Ws G e w oa an5
never pretended to keep inside the big allowance which
Father gives YOU"
Tom walked away mpatiently
rs Father ashamed OF me-" he asked turning on her
"Ilc is disappointed, Tom" said Madeline more ger
tly Besides that | do not think he is we'll he has
been awfuy quiet lately he docs eat, and he and
Mother talk lot together l think she's worried but
| can't get her to admit it."
Tom grew thoughtful and Madeline continued "For
several nights they have stayed downstar talking until
twelve ocock, and one night went in to speak to
Mother and found her crying. Maybe 1t isn't anything
but ! think something is bothering them"
Tom listened inenty, to his little sister; although
five years younger Madeline still his playfellow
and pretty sound adviser when he needed her opinion
At this moment the maid announced dinner and the
people joined their parents in the dining room
"Well Tom my boy. this is surprise said his
father cheeriy as the boy and girl entered the room
How YOU home;
II just dropped upif it is possible to perform such
feat" laughed Tom, not, however, quite naturally.
I'm glad you came" resumed his father somewhat
sadly "ior want to talk with both YOU and Madeline
Later. when they all were in the library Mr. Maynard
spoke:
Il want to tell YOU children something's it is not
pleasant news, but | you both TO know and help
your mother and me- OF late I have had great deal
of worry about my business; Of my investments
have turned out badly and carried away most OF our
money have saved enough to keep an neXpensve
roof over our heads but that is about all There is no
shadow OF d,sracf in it, he went on prou1y but it
mother and you chldren-l do not care for myself"
Mrs Maynard crept closer to her husband and took
his hand fondly in hers:
"You know, Henry, that do not mind anything so
long as we are all together and we are WELL,
but am sure it will all come out right We all love
each other so much that we can be happy anywhere.
Shall we move away from here"
this big place and the necessary servants Your mother
and ! think it best to go up into Vermont where the
have the house the doctor thinks had better rest
little while, Later we will see what do"
go to Vermont live" cried the boy and the girl
in breath.
after ALL children" broke in Mrs. Maynard there
lots of nice things do there in the winter there
is snow shoeng, skating and sleghing. think it will
not be unbeatable"
mo place is unbearabe if it is best" cried Madeline.
brayey. "What do you say, Tom"
tom isn't going" answered his father 81 have
aged to enough OF the wreck that Tom can
finish college and make his mark. I can't have him
cheated out of that"
Tom colored and took his fathers hand 81 don't
deserve it. Father" he said huskily, 81 not worth
your making any sacrifice for; am going with you
to help you il can"
Good, Tom! That is spoken like the man I know
YOU are; but your father has set his heart your
finishing your college and he wants you to do
so, too 1t will be money wasted to stop with it half
done" said Mrs Maynard, decisively.