Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-05

tdhk. AS put TIC VII III IucTc-JuSt
crude as It comes out of the wells.
Homer. 1t don't need reflnin'. and it
runs through this and down here to
this. where It's vaporized-much the
same's they vapor1se gasoline for nu-
tymobile engines. We know--and then
1t just naturally flows up to the brack-
ct. and there ye are"
ats wonderful. SAM" said I, won
derng If it really were.
"And the best part OF 1t Is the econ
omy, Homer. A gallon will run one
Jet six weeks. day in and out. And
simple to install. I tell ye''--
Have you got It patented yetT
"Yes, stree, Took out patents Just as
soon as II struck me how simple It 'ud
be-more than two years ago. Only,
of course, 1t took time to work it out
just right specially when had to
stop now and then cause I needed
money for materials But It's all right
now, Homer; it's all right now
And you say Roland Barnettes writ
ing to some one in New York about
itg
yes he promised he would. I ex-
planned 1t to Roland. and he seemed
real interested. He's kind, very kind"
was inclined to doubt this and
would probably have said something
to that effect had not shadow cross
ing the window brought me to my feet
in CONSERVATION. But before | could
Il <b,, 81. Pol boI
flung open the door and stamped in.
He stopped short at sight Of me. mis-
guided by his nearsighted eyes, and
singled me out with a threatening
wave Of his heavy stick
We'll. SIR" he snarled 1--WE come
enough In your added pate to under
stand that. man? I've come for my
answer!'
And may have 1t. whatever 1t may
be. for all Of me-" told him.
His face flushed deeper red "Oh,
it's only you, is 1t, Littlejohn? ! took
you for that fool Graham in this dirty
dark hole. Where is hep"
| looked to Graham, and he followed
the direction Of my gaze to the worl-
bench, where Sam stood with his back
to 1t, his worn hands folded quietly
before him. He seemed a little whittier
than usual. l thought. and perhaps it
was only my fancy that made him ap-
pear to tremble ever so slightly. for he
was quite calm and self possessed-so
much so that I realized for the first
time there was another man in Rad
old Colonel Botrnn
I'm here, colonel" he said quietly.
What is it you WISH"
The colonel swung on him, shaking
with passion. But he held his tongue
until he had mastered himself some
what, a feat Of self restraint on his
part over which marvel to this day
You know well. Graham" he said
presently. you got my letter--the let
ter l wrote You week ago?"
Yes" said Sam, with start of COM
prehension. Yes. l got it,
Then why the devil. man, don't
you answer it?'
Sans apologize smile sweetened his
face. "Why," he said haltingly, I'm
sure I meant no offense; but, you see
Pm very busy man. forgot It,"
The devil you forgot it! Dye ex.
pect me to believe that, mani
I'm afraid you'll have to-"
Bohun was speechless for moment,
stricken dumb by q second seizure OF
fury. But again he Gained himself
Very well: III swallow that inso.
lence for the present
1T wasn't meant as such, l assure
Don't interrupt me! D'you heart
I've come for my answer Yes, I've
come down to that, Graham. If YOU
can't accord me the common courtesy
OF a written reply I've come TO hear IT
from your mouth"
Sam nodded thoughtfully. "Mebbe.'
he said. you forget you have failed
to accord me tho common courtesy OF
any sort OF communication whatever
for twenty years. Colonel Bohun.
Even when my wife, your daughter
died You ignored my message asking
you to her funeral
BE silent" screamed the colonel
"Do you think I'm here to handy
words with you, fool? l demand my
answer"
And as for that" continued Sam as
evenly as II he had not been Later
rupted your proposition was so pre-
pOsterous that II could have come only
from you and deserved no answer
But since you want it formally, sir
It's no."
For a moment l feared Bohur
would have a stroke. The back of tn,
chair l had Just vacated and his sticl
alone supported him through tina
dumb, terrible transport. He shook So
violently that looked momentarlly
to see the chair break beneath him
There was insanity IN his eyes. Wher
finally he was able to articulate i
was in broken gasps.
81 don't believe It," he stammered
'It's lie, I don't believe it. It,
madness. The girl wouldn't be 81
. mad"
What is 1t, father?'
l don't know which of us three wal
the most startled by that simple ques
ton in Betty Graham's voice Sam
at all events, showed the least sur
prise. The old colonel wheeled to
ward the back Of the store, his jaw
dropping and his eyes protruding a
though he were confronted with
I had hpAn struck hY that stranre