Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-22

sharp. he was not sure that he had
made lifelong friend. He felt that
the friendship might need clenching.
As the house-door shut behind him.
Sir Maurice wiped his brow with the
air Of one who has toiled hard and
long II feel sticky-positively sticky"
he said. "Oh. Erebus, you do have
Rummy friends! thought we should
never get rid Of him. thought he
had stuck himself to us for life
Mrs. Dangerield smiled; the Terror
laughed: but Erebus cried holly, Hes
not friend of mine''
1--WE call him the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Of his teeth" said the Terror
'0Then beware, Erebus-beware You
are young-and possibly savory," said
Sir Maurice
not me-" said Erchus: and the bolt
shot, the Twins fed.
Sir Maurice looked at his sister and
said softly. "OhO. ! see--heroism "
Then he laid his hand on her shoulder
affectionately and added. ut won't do,
Anne"
do you think soy' said Mrs. Dan
gerfield IN faint tone of disappoint-
ment.
Think? I'm dead certain" said her
brother.
Mrs. Dangerfield ran up the stairs
to dress. on the light feet Of a girl
an oppressive weight had been lifted
from her spirit.
Captain Baster ate his dinner in n
state of sizzling excitement; he knew
that he had made a splendid first i'm
hA h,,r <, =
Rut on his eager way to Colet House
he walked warily He came safely out
Of the lane into the broad turfed road
which runs across the common. and
quickened his pace There was not
enough light to display the jaunty all
with which he walked in all It's per
fection: but there seemed to be enough
light for more serious matters, for a
stone struck him on the thigh with
considerable force. He had barely fin
ished the jump with which he greeted
it, when another stone whizzed VI
clously past his head; then a third
smote him on the arm. With the ap
palling roar Of bull Of Bashan the
gallant officer dashed In the direction
He was Just In time to stop a s!ng,l
then he found a gorse-bush. BY trip
ping over root-a gorse-bush which
seemed unwilling to release him from
its stimulating. not to say prickly. EN-
brace. Az he wallowed In It, a ston,
found him-his anklebone.
When he got free Of the eorse-bush
, he saw that there was only one thini
to do; he tore across the common t.
hop ~ In
/ When the door opened. he plunged
t across the hall. into the drawing
room. The Terror formed the cente
. draughts with his Uncle Maurice.
IL made sure it was that yOun'
whelp" gasped Captain Raster as h
sprang from it with howl as h
. bush's clinging affection.
This curious. but disheveled entr
brought the others to their feet full o
( surprise and Inquiries.
n ''Tve been commissioned by som
t hulking scOundrels on the common :.
Q cried Captain Baster: and he displaye
t his marble brow.
NISs DuukcTIciu was luii vi ny
= patty and concern; Sir Maurice wa
g cool-interested. but cool; he did no
l. blaze into the passionate indlgmt Ito
q Of bosom friend. lie sat down agai
i at the drausht- board.
s II knOw-I know what II Isl" erie
i Mrs. Dangerfield. with an illumination
d been humorous to some OF the vi
t lagers!"
= "No-ifo-I haven't spoken to any G
il them but I'll give the scoundrels
;. lesson, I'll put the police onto ther
n first thing tomorrow morning." erie
J. Captain Baster.
l. Then Erebus came In. her plquau
: face all aglow: ~ can't find you
h handkerchief anywhere, mother" sh
n said.
"FIave you been running to find It
e You're quite out Of breath" said tn
t Terror in tone Of deep meaning.
/, For moment horrid suspicio
:. filed the mind Of Captain Baster; b,
G no. 1t was impOssible-a child in who's
s veins flowed some of the best blood
England-her slender arm could nevt
g have hurled the stones. On the othe
II hand. Sir Maurice appeared TO hay
8 sion: he was staring at his beautifl
>, niece with his mouth slightly Ope
g He rose hurriedly. muttered somethin
o about finding his handkerchief. nm
n stumbled ont Of the room. They hear
o door bang upstairs: then. throug
d the ceiling. they heard curious soun
r. as of one drumming on the floor wit
d his heels.
Mrs. Dangerficld rang for the mai
" and act her to pull the gorsepricklt
II out Of Captain Baster's clothes. 81
o had nearly finished when Sir MauriC
t. returned; he had recovered his adm
rnblc self-possession. but he SCENE
10 rather exhausted. Forgetting his pricl
r. and bruises. Captain Baster piled hi
y with overwhelming friendllness for Il
e rest of the evening.
t. That may have been why Erebu
p. coming upon her uncle from behind ,
lr he leant over the garden gate. aft
Ir breakfast next morning, heard hi
d sing softly
le "Where did his colonel dig him up.
" So young. SO fair, 80 sweet,
p With his shining nose and his squar
So square toes.