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

| Oh, WOULDN'T put IL as stronB as
that
But have no money"
still, you never can tell. I'll think
it over IL | get time"
why. that's kind Of you, sir; very
kind"
1t was Mt this point that Roland rose
to the occasion like the noble ass he
Is. Roland never could see more than
an inch beyond the end of his nose
Say, Mr.. Burnham," he foundered,
don't you think you could help Sam
to-
81 think" said Mr. Burnham with
additional business of looking at his
watch, I'D like to send that wire
spoke Of"
"ies, Roland" Sam agreed meekly,
you mustn't keep your friend from
his business I'm glad you looked in,
sir You'll call again, I hope"
THANK you" said Burnham. moving
toward the door.
| 1t was too much for Rolands sense
or opportunity. He rolled In Burn
hQln's wake sullenly reluctant. Say,
Mr, Hurnham." he exploded as they
/ got to the door. ''if you'll just offer
Sam five
That will do Roland collapsed as
II punctured. Burnham turned to Ora
ham with n wave of his hand. I'm
leaving on the afternoon train. but II
| ] get time | may drop in again and
talk things over with you. There
might be something in that thrashing
machine you mentioned"
"1ll be glad to show you anything
| I've got here"
again perhaps"
This cavalier snIIb was lost on sam.
nn essential of whose serene soul IL
the quality of humility. He followed
them to the door as grateful as a lost
/ dog for stray pat instead of n kick.
Good day. sir Good day, Roland" he
! sped .hoir parting cheerfully.
! But It was a broken man who shut
the door behind them and turned back
lingering his gray chin.
Perhaps Mr. Burnham was right
Only was kind of hopin'.- Now.
Mr.. Lockwood over there
He shook himself to throw off the
spell Of depression.
| well. well. He's kind. very kind
With this young man in here and ev-
srvthing gettin' fixed up and new stock
'omin in I'm sure Mr.. Lockwood
II see 1t the right way for us. He's
kind very kind"
Thus it was that he presently called
up the stairs in very cheerful voice.
Betty, are you pretty near through up
there
The girls weary voice came down to
him without accent, "Yes, father, al
most"
We'll, then, you keep an eye on the
store, please. I'm goin' to step out
for minute"
Eyes, father"
And Tiff anybody asks for me I'll
most likely be down to the depot with
Mr. Duncan"
He didn't mention that he contem-
plated calling on Lockwood. because
he feared 1T might Very Betty.
Betty knew, or. rather, OWNED. And
she had no hope. no faith such as
made Sam what he was. She came
down the steps listlessly. Only her
sense Of duty sustained her. She owed
something to old Sam for the gift of
| life. dismal though she found it, He
needed her. What she could do for
him she would
Signing, she went to work. In work
only could she forget The soda glasses
needed cleaning and the strip Jars re-
| plenishing. for the new order of srups
had come in the previous evening.
After n time. to n tune of pounding
feet. Tracey Tanner pranced into the
! shop with all the graceful abandon of
young elephant feeling its oats His
! face was fairly scarlet from exertion
and his eyes bullying with a sense of
Importance. The girl looked up with
| out interest, nodding slightly in re-
! Spouse to his breathless "'Lo, Betty"
Fathers gone out" she said, hold
| ing glass TO the light suspicious of
| the lint from her dish towel
! Il know-secn him down the street"
! The boy halted at the counter, produc-
| ing a handful Of square envelopes
Note for you from the Lockwoods
| Betty" he painted. Josie asst me to
! bring it round"
| Betty put down her glass in con
! sternation. From the Lockwoods?"
"Uh-huh" Tracey offered it. but
! she withheld her hand, dubious.
! For me. Tracey"
"Uh-huh. It's nlnvitation. got
/ four more to take" He thrust It into
! her reluctant fingers. Got five, real.
Ky, but one of ems for me-
AN invitation. Tracey
"Yoh Hope you have a good time
when it comes off" Already he was
bouncing toward the door, "Goodby."
But what is it, Tracey"
Jaw, it tells III the ninvitation.
Slong."
Prom the Lockwoods"' she wills
| pered.
/ Suddenly she tore it open, her hands
unsteady with nervousness.
The envelope contained a square Of
heavy cardboard of a creamy tint with
scalloped edges touched with geld. On
the face of the card a round and form
| less hand had traced with evident
pains the information:
MISS JOSEPHINE MAE LOCKWOOD
| Requests the pleasure OF your company
| at a lawn fcte and dance to be held at
| the residence OF her parents Mr.. and Mrs
! George Lockwood. Saturday, July Is, at
p m.
/