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

party" she declared tensely; I'm goln
to that party and-and I'm goin' to
have dress to 60 In too! oont
care what / do-I'm goin' to nave tnat
dress!'
Sam would have soothed her as best
he might but she would neither look
at nor come near him.
"WcIl Sec" he said gently "We'H
see. III try
She turned on him. exasperated be-
yond thought THAT only means you
can't help mel
"Oh. no. It doesn't. I'll do what I
can"
Have you got any money now?'
He hung his head TO avoid her blaz-
ing eyes. "Wcll-no-not at present,
but here's this new stock and
"That doesn't mean anything. and
you know it. You owe that note to
Mr.. Lockwood. don't you? And you
can't pay it,
mot today. Betty, but he'll give me
little more time, I'm sure. He's
kind. very kind"
You don't know him He's as mean
betty
'Then If you did get any money
you'd have to give It TO him. wouldn't
you?"
YES. but Tn sure-I think tell come
all right"
"Ah. what's the use Of talkin' that
way? what's the use of talkin' al
.''r-t know you can't do anything for
me. and SO do you.'
Sam had dropped into his chair, un.
able TO stand before this storm: he
stared now, mute with amazement, at
this child who had 50 long. so IN
comp!ainlngly, shared his poverty and
prlvatlons, grown suddenly to the stat
ure of wOman-and tOrmcnted.
passionate woman, stung to the quick
by the injustice of her lot. He put out
hand In IL feeble gesture Of plaza.
ton. but she brushed it away ms she
bent toward him. speaking so quickly
that her words stumbled and ran into
one another
81 can't understand It." she ragged
"Why is It that have to be more
Why IS it that the others have all the
fun and all the drudgery? Why Is
it that I can't ever go anywhere with
the boys and girls and laugh and-and
have good time like the rest dor
Sam bent his head to the blast. In
his lap his hands worked nervously.
But be could not answer her.
t,&it .haA 7 1, NJ,
doin' the homework and-all the rest
but-why Is It you can never give me
anything at all? Why must It be that
every one looks down on us and snecrs
and laughs at us? why is II that half
the time we haven't got enough to
eat? Other men manage to take care
Of their families and give their chill
dren things to wear. You've got only
us two to look after, and you can't
even do that 1t isn't right, 1t isn't
decent, and If l were you I'd be
ashamed Of myself
Her temper had spent itself, and
with this final cry she checked abrupt
ly, with a catch at her breath for
shame OF what she had let herself say.
But, childlike, she was not ready to
own her sorrow, and she turned her
back, trembling.
Sam, too, was shaken In his heart
ne knew there was justification for her
indictment, truth in what she had said.
And he was heartbroken for her. He
got up unsteadily and put a gentle
hand UPON her shoulder
"Why Betty-I"-
A dry sob interrupted him. He pull
ed himself together and forced his
voice to tone OF confidence, Just
be little patient, dear. I'm sure
things will he better with us soon.
Just a little more patience; that's all.
Why, there was gentleman here this
morning from MOO York city talkin'
about an invention of mine"
The girl moved restlessly. shaking
Off his hand "Invention," she echoed
bitterly. "Oh. father. Everybody
knows they're no good, You've been
wastin time on EN- ever since I can
remember, and you've never made a
dollar out Of one yet"
He bowed to the truth of this, then
again braced up bravely. But this
gentleman seemed quite interested.
Hes over 10 the Bigelow House now.
l think I'll step over and have talk
with him
You'd much better 20 and have a
talk with Blinlly Lockwood she told
him brutally. Hes waitin' for you
at the bank and said he wasn't goin'
to wait after l. oclocl; neither
We'll, perhaps you're right. I'll go
there. It's after II, but lie start
ed to get his hat and stopped with an
exclamation. why. Nat. l didn't
know you'd got back"
Duncan was at the back of the store
clearing the last remnants of the old
stock from the shelves. Yes" he said
pleasantly, without turning. I've been
hero some time cleaning up the collar
10 make room for the stuff that's com
ing in. ! came upstairs Just a moment
ago, but you We're so busy talking you
didn't notice me-"
lie paused, swept the empty shelves
with a circulating glance and came
out around the end of the counter.
"EVerythinc's in tiptop shape" he
SAD i checked up the hill OF lndins
myself, and there's not a thing miss
ing not bit OF breakago. Mr.. Ora
nam he continued, dropping n gentle
hand on the old mans shoulder,
you're going to have the finest drug
s'orc In the state within six months
With the stuff that Sno,r,, i,.. ..o,. 80.