Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-02-09

In person he is as beautiful as a
| snake fence, as alluring as stone
wall. Something over six feet in
height, he walks with n stoop, one
hand always in trousers pocket jim
Cling silver, that materially detracts
from his stature. His face, like his
figure, is gaunt and anky, his nose an
emaciated benk. His mouth illustrates
his attitude toward property-is n trap
from which nothing of value ever es-
capes. His eyes are smnll and hard
and set close together under lowering
brows He's gri1zed. with hair not
actually white. but gray as the iron
from which his heart was fashioned
Aside from these characteristics his
principal popularity Is n nervous
twitching OF the right eye which has
earned him his sobriquct OF Bhnky.
Lcgrand Gum said he contracted the
aiE1ctlon through squirting at the sill
yer collar to make sure none of its
milling had been worn off. have
/ never known the man to wear any
thing but rusty old frock coat, black,
or course. and black and shiny broad
cloth trousers, with hat that has al
ways coating of dust so thick that it
seems a notified gray.
He Crunts his words. a grunt to each.
fle grunted at Betty when he saw her.
"Whcrc's your father
She put down her glass and dish rag.
~ don't know, sir"
Don't know, eh?" he asked in an
indescribably offensive tone.
II think he went to the bank to see
YOU
"Oh. he did. eh? Did he have any
thing for meY'
The girl took up another glass. 81
don't know. sir" she said YEARLY.
I'm afraid not
We'll, if he didn't there's no use
seem me. It won't do him any good"
II guess he knows that" she return.
ed. with little flash Of spirit
Does. CHI? Well. that's n good thing
saves talk. You don't do no business
here. not to speak of, do ye?"
"No. not to speak Of"
Then what's the good of all this
foolishness. fixin' up?'
81 don't know"
Costs money. don't it?''
II guess so
And that money belongs to me-"
ats Mr., Duncan's doing. Father
amt nn-ing for 1t. He can't"
"WhaAs he doin. then? Sittin'
round foolin with his inventions, amt
he?"
yes"
whats he invcntin' now?"
81 don't know much about It," She
pointed to the model beneath the win
dow That's the last thing, guess"
Blinky snorted and stamped over to
the window, STOPPING to peer al the
machine. whats the good Of that?"
he demanded. disdainful. and without
waiting for her response went on nag
cling. "Fooishness. That's what it
is. Why don't you tell him not to
waste his time this way"
because he likes It," said Betty
hopelessly. IT'S the only thing that
makes life worth while to him. So
vt him alone"
What difference does that make? It
don't bring him in nothin'. does it?
No, stree. it don't What does he do
with them things?"
Patents them"
"And then what?"
'Nothin' that know Of"
That's it-nothin. nor ever will.
Well. he's been Cettin' money from
me for those patents. thought at
fust there might be somethin' in EN-.
But be won't any more"
She interjected q significant "Huhw
He broke off abruptly. pale with anger.
well, I want to see him, and want
to see him before noon" he snapped.
I'm goin over to the bank. an If he
knows what's good for him he'll come
there pretty darn quick"
He swung on one heel and slouched
out as Betty turned to go upstairs.
Presently she reappearcd. pinning on
her sad little hat, and left the store
1t was upward Of an hour before she
returned, walking quickly and very
erect with her head up and shoulders
back, her eyes suspiciously bright.
Even old Sam. who had returned from
the depot after missing Blinky at the
bank-even he, blind as he ordinarily
was saw instantly that something was
wrong with the child.
why, Betty" he cried in solicitudc
as she fung into the storc-"Betty
dear. what's the natter"
For an instant she seemed cpeech-
less. Then she tore the hat from her
head and cast il regardlesly upon the
counter. Father" she cricd-"fa
Their and GUIDED 70 down her emo.
ton. "Can you get nae some money!"
Money? Why, Betty. what
Her foot cam" down on the floor i'm
patiently. Can You get me some
money! she repeated IN a breath.
"Well-er-how much Betty" He
tried to touch her. 10 take her to his
arms, but she moved away, her sorry
little figure quivernc from head to
feet.
Enough she said, half sobbing-
enough to buy a dress-a nice dress
dress that will surprise folks"-
but tell me what the matter IS.
Betty Wanting dress would never
| upset You like this"
She whipped the cracked and crum-
plod card from her pocket and pushed
1t into his hand. Look at that" shc
pade him and turned away, struggling
Win all her might to keep back the