Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-05-04

He returned to the sitting room.
The town clerk was standing by the
stove. He looked troubled.
whats the row, AseT asked Cy
cheerily. He was overlooking with
good nature.
"Oh, nothin' special" replied Mr..
Tidditt you look joyful enough for
two Of us. Had good company. amt
your
why, yes; bout as good as there is
What makes you look so glumf
Asaph hesitated.
phoebe was here yesterday, too,
want sheT' he asked.
"Yup. What Of it?"
And the day afore thatW
mo, not for three days afore that.
But what Of 1t, ask your"
well. now. Cy, you mustn't get mad.
I'm friend of yours, and friends
ought to be able to say most anything
to each other. lift | was you
wouldn't let Phoebe come so often
not here, you know, at your house.
Course I know she comes with Bos'n
and all, but
"Out with itv' The captains tone
was ominous. "what are you drivin'
atY
The caller fdgeted.
well, Whit" he stammered, there's
considerable talkin' goin' on, that's ALL"
"Talkin'? What kind of TALKING"
QUAIL h1 Id,
town does good deal Of It, specially
after church and prayer mcetin'.
Seems II they thought twas a sort Of
proper place. l don't myself I kind
Of like to keep my charity and brother
ly love spread out through the week,
BUT
"Ase. are the folks in this town say
In word against Phoebe Dawes be.
cause she comes here to see-Bos'n"
"Don't-don't get mad. Whit. Don't
look at me like that. amt said moth
in. Why, a spell ago at the boardin'
house IT,
He told Of the meal at the perfect
boarding house, where Miss Dawes
championed his friends cause; also Of
the conversation which followed and
his own part in 1t. Captain Cy paced
the door.
II wouldn't have her come so often,
Cy," pleaded Asaph. honest I
wouldn't Course you and me know
they're mean, miserble liars, but it's
her I'm thinkin' Of She's a young
woman and single, and you're a good
many years older'n she Is. And so, of
course. you and she amt ever goin to
get married. And have you thought
what effect it might have on her keep
in her teachers place? The commit
tees a majority against her as It's.
And-you know don't think so, but
good many folks do-you amt got the
best name just now. Darn 1t all,
amt putin this the way I'd ought to,
but you know what 1 mean, don't you,
CyT
Captain Cy was leaning against the
window frame. his head upon his arm.
He was not looking out, because the
shade was drawn. Tidditt waited anx-
iously for him to answer. At last he
turned.
"Ase," he said nm much obliged to
you. You've pounded 1t in pretty hard,
but callate I'd ought to have had
1t done to me. I'm a fool-an old fool.
Just as l said awhile back-and moth
In nor nobody ought to have made me
forget It. For a minute or 30 l. But
there; don't you fret. That young wo.
man shan't risk her Job nor her repu-
tntion on account of me-nor of Bos'n.
either III see to that. And. see here"
he added fercely, ~ can't stop WON
ems tongues, even when they're as bad
as some Of the tongues In this town.
but II you hear a man say one word
against Phoebe Dawes. only one word
you tell me his name. You hear, Ase?
You tell me his name. Now run along
will you? l amt safe company just
now"
Asaph, frightened at the effect of his
words, hurriedly departed. Captain Cy
paced the room for the next fifteen
minutes; then he opened the kitchen
door.
"Bos'n." he called, come in and set
in my lap awhile, Don't you want to?
Tm-Tm sort Of lonesome, little girl"
The next afternoon. when the school
mistress. who had been delayed by the
inevitable examination papers, stop
ped at the Cy Whitaker place she was
met by Georgianna. Emily. who stood
behind the housekeeper In the door
way, was crying,
"Cap'n Cy has gone away. to Wash
in'ton." declared Georgianna, though
what he's gone there for's more'n
know. He said he'd send his hotel
address soon's he got there. He went
on the o'clock train"
Phoebe was astonished.
"Gone?" she repeated. $50 soon!
Why, he told me he should certainly
be here to hear some news l expected
today. Didn't he leave any message
for me?''
The heusekeeper turned red.
"Aliss Phoebe" she said. "he told me
to tell you somethin'. and it's so dread
full I don't hardly dast to say 1t. l
think his troubles have driven him
crazy. He said to tell you that you'd
better not come to this house any
more"
(TO BE CONTINUED
"TIJAT TlIJNpI rFTI