Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-04-13

vi, no. Silu vi,
no! But I'm afraid I've soiled your
cloth. 1t was awkward Of me. IL
really apologize-I'-
He wiped his face with his handker-
chief Captain Cy laughed.
"Oh, never mind the tablecloth,' he
said. II carlate it's too soiled already
to be hurt by bath. even a lemon
one Well, you've all heard the toast.
Full glasses now. Here's to you,
Bos'n! Drink hearty. all hands. and
give the ship good name" d.
If the heartiness with which they
drank Is a criterion, the good name Of
the ship was established. Then the
assembly adjourned TO the sitting
room and-yes. even the front parlor
Not since the days when that sacred
apartment had been desecrated by the
irreverent city boarders, during the
Kowes regime had its walls echoed 10
such whoops and shouts Of laughter
The children played "postoffice" and
Copenhagen" and CLAP in. clap out
while the grown folks looked on.
Amt they havin a fine time, cap'n?"
gushed Miss Phinney. Don't it make
you wish you was young again."
Angle" replied Captain Cy solemn
", don't tempt NEEDN'T! II they
keep on playin' that Copenhagen and
you stand right alongside Of me there's
no tellin' whatll happen"
Angelina declared that he was "trr-
rible," but she faced the threatened
danger nevertheless and bravely re-
manned where she was.
Mr.. Atkins went home early in the
evening, taking Alicia with him. lie
explained that his long railroad jour
ney had-er-somew fatigued him
and. though he hated to leave such q
-er-deliGhtful gathering, he really
felt that under the circumstances his
departure would be forgiven. Captain
Cy opened the door for him and stood
watching rs. holding his daughter by
the hand. be marched majestically
down the path
HUM unused the captain aloud,
II guess he has been travelin nights.
Thought he ought to be here quick. |
,
that's fact, and kind Of pale, seemed
to me-"
well, there, now" exclaimed Mrs.
Trip, who was looking over his Shout
der. Did you see that?"
mo. What was it,"
why, when he went to omen his
gate one of them arbor witty bushes be
set out this spring knocked his hat off
And he never seemed to notice. but
went right on If Licia hadn't picked
1t up that nice new hat would have
been layin' there yet. That's the most
undignided thing ever see Hemar
Atkins do. He must be tired out, poor
man.
The next day Cyrus was sitting a,
home comforting with his supporters
There came knock at the door Of the
dining room. The captain went "a
answer the knock. They heard the
door open, and then a mans voice
asked:
is this Cap'n Whittakerf'
Yes" was the short answer.
well. cap'n. l guess you don't know
me, though maybe you know some of
my family. Ha. ha! Don't understand
that, hey? Well, you let me in and
III explain the joke"
The captains reply was calm and de-
liberate.
II shouldn't wonder If understood
il. | received your letter today from
Concord" he said. Come in. Don't
The remainder Of the sentence was
whispered, and the listeners on the
sofa could not hear it, y moment later
Captain Cy entered the sitting room
followed by his caller,
The latter was a stranger. He was
broad shouldered man Of medium
height, with a yellowiSh mustache and
brown hair. He was dressed in rather
shabby clothes. without an overcoat
and he had soft felt hat in his hand
He carried himself with II Swagger
and after his entrance there was &
perceptible aroma of alcohol in the
room.
He stared at the board Of strategy
and the stare was returned in ful
measure. Bailey and Asaph were
wildly curious, They, Of course, con
nected the strangers arrival with
mysterious letter and the captains
perturbation of the day.
But their curiosity was not to be
satisfied. at least not then.
How are you, gents| hailed the
newcomer cheerfully. Like the look.
of me. do you?"
Captain Cy cut off further CONVEX
} sation.
"Ase," he said, gentleman
and have got some business to tall
over. know you're good enough
friends Of mine not to mind If | ask
you to clear out You'll understand
you will understand, boys. won't your
he added almost entreatingly
"Sarttn sure!" replied Mr.. Tidditt
rising hurriedly. Don't say another
: word. Whit" And the mystitlet
; Bangs concurred with Yes yes
why. of course! Didn't have nothin
1haS A1Raets to pothin' to stay fol