Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-08

How wonderful ho was! How handsome. I.
made her dizzy TO meet his eyes in that long-ago
visit to Helen. Undeveloped SILENT awkward as she
was, every word that he gave her seemed carcss
Now it was even worsc,--hs very presence was 4
vibration, his words bliss
Was she dreaming? Had the skies fallen? She
tried to hnd something to hold to. Everything
comes to him who waits came uppern1ost in her
mind in stupid rcitcraton. She wondered Il that
explained Ncz. she was conscious of being glad
that she wore Helen's gray dress-it the most
becoming thing she had. Ueavensl he must have
seen Helen in it again and again. Bit never
remembered. Would Helen really have married
him she wondered. He had engaged in desperate
Irritation with her cousin during that week that
they nd both met hin, Tor the first time. and his
filtration had actually Tapped over the announce
rent OF Heens bcthrotha to another man. The first
thing that had occurred to Olive when she heard OF
Helen's broken engagement, six months ago, was
that Lawrence Crane would renew his suit Perhaps
he had, and perhaps Helen had refused him. She
would not speak to him OF her, she decded--es-
pecially when there was a GOODNESS between
herself and Helen.
Was life worth living? 1t 7tus joy to get up at
the uncanny hour in the morning. 1t 7cus bliss to
stand in a crowded foul smelling car 1t 7yus
rapture taking letters all day long at the alternate
dictaton of two stodry, middc-agcd business men!
It 'i0s ecstacy to skinp lunches and dinners for
the sake OF vacation
She ran from the car to the office. She raced up
the four flights OF stairs-no elevator could hold
her spirits that morning Opening the door with
jerk, she rushed in, prccipitaing herself into the
arms OF six feet OF the other about to rush out
my hands are up" he said without further parley
"My moneys in my inner coat-pocket"
She laughed and drew back "But what are Won
doing here" she demanded in the next instant
I'm Merriam, the partner You've got me
roped. thrown and tied-bu don't mind me"
She stared at him nonpluscd He looked fresh,
young. absolutely unframed. and yet he might have
been thirty. His skin had been weather beaten until
it was cheerful mahogany He had big, unabashed
gray eyes clear 5 child's.
Olive hung up her hat and jacket, and her hands
played carelessly back and forth her hair Her
checks still brilliant with excitement
81 don't suppose you know a cowboy from tax
collector" he said his eyes following the fitting
hands,
Her spirits dubbed over him. I'D like to know how
anybody can escape knowing what cowboy IS" she
said when the magazines full OF them, and |
know every OF the fifty varieties by heart
| suppose all your life long you've done nothing but
think noble thoughts about the stars. don't suppose
you ever gave way to a temptation in your life"
Il could, without straining muscle" he asserted,
III it were little and dark and had brown cyes?"
She sighed elaboratcy, I'm sorry my eyes are blue"
Did l make such mistake as that" lie .caped
forward with an aacry that impecd her = few steps
backward, but he examined her eyes nterestedly and
took SO long that she accused him Of heing blind
mo, only dazzlcd"-nc almost mournful about
you must get used to being dazzlcd" she replied
with spirit I'm fixture about this Office"
He meek. TITS smoked glasses for ME hereafter"
I'm ready to take any letters.-she was beginning
when the door opened and the senior partner came in
The elder wen. out after while and she never
talked 70 any in her life she talked 20 him But
while she cha.tering her swiftest laughing her
rerrest and coquettng with him IN the way that
seemed 20 be natural effervcscence Of her mood
her heart beating to the single rcirair-"I1e is
coming Tonight
Her companion was very conscious OF her presence
ali day long, and submitted her unobtrusive ban.e,
that she grew to distinguish by bis OWE ter,
josAing. but he careful to interfere with her
work
That night on her way home, she penetrated the
unheard-of extravaganza OF buying bunch os violet,
and later of ordering irc in the rar,o After Dime,
she put on the one frivolous gown she had aaorded
in two years, soft, rose-pnk crepe, and tuckrg N,
vioets into her belt went down to meet her guest
me hre''shs famed and sparkled and glowcd a. h,