Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-25

mo, would not SAID ElnOra notify.
you'd give boy all the apples he
wanted II lie hadn't any breakfast and
was so hungry he was all twisty inside,
wouldn't your"
Yes, would" said Elnora.
"If you had anything to eat you
would give me something right now,
wouldn't your
"Yes," said Elnora. "There's moth
ing but just stones in the package.
But my dinner is in that case I'll
gladly divide"
She opened the box. The famished
child gave little cry and reached
both hands. Elnora caught them
back.
ibid you have any superb
mo"
"Any dinner yesterday?'
IAN apple and some grapes I STOLE"
"Whose boy are your
"Old Tom Billings"
"Why don't your father get you some.
thing to eat?"
"He does most days, but he's drunk
now"
flush! You must mott" said Elnora.
"He's your father!''
Hes spent all the money to get
drunk. too" said the boy. land Jimmy
and Belle are both crying for break.
fast. I'd "a got out all right with an
apple for myself. hut l. tried to get
some for them, and the dog got too
close. Say, you can Just throw, can't
your
YES" admitted Elnora She poured
half the milk into the cup. Drink
this" she said. holding 1t to him.
The boy gulped the milk and swore
joyously. gripping the cup with shak-
ing fingers.
flush" cried Elnora. "That's dread
full"
whats dreadful"
ITO say such awful words"
Huh, pa says worser AN that every
breath he draws"
| Elnora stared into the quaint little
face and saw that the child was older
than she had thought. He might have
been forty by his hard. unchildsh ex.
preston.
"Do you want to be like your IN.
ther?"
NO; | want to be like you. Couldn't
a angel he prettier AN you! Can
have more milk"
Elnora cmpticd the flask. The boy
drained the cup. He drew breath Of
satisfaction as he gazed into her face.
! Jv,s< lnox
little boy. would you?" he asked.
did some one go away and leave
you!" questioned Elnora in return.
'Yes; my mother went Off and left
me and left Jimmy and Belle. too"
said the boy. You wouldn't leave your
little boy. would you!'
NO"
The boy looked eagerly at the box.
Elnora lifted Il sandwich and uncover
ed the fried chicken The boy gaspcd
with delight.
Say, | could eat the stuff in the
glass and the other box and carry the
bread and the chicken to Jimmy and
Belle" he offered.
ElnOra silently uncovered the Gus
tard with preserved cherries on top
and handed it and the spoon to the
child. Never did food disappear faster.
The salad went next. and sandwich
and half chicken breast followed.
II better leave the rest for Jimmy
and Belle" he said. They're list fight
in hungry"
Elnora gave him the remainder Of
the carefully prepared lunch. The boy
clutched it and ran with a sidewise
hop like wild thing
Elnora covered the dishes and cup,
polished the spoon. replaced 1t and
closed the beautiful case. She caught
her breath In tremulous laugh.
"If Aunt Margaret knew that she'd
never forgive me-" she said. ut seems
as If secrecy Is literally forced upon
me, and hate It, What will l do fol-
lunch? I'll have to go sell my arrows
and keep enough money for restau'
rant sandwich"
So she walked hurriedly into town
sold her points at good price. deposit
ed her funds and went away with a
neat little bank book and the note
from the LimbcrlOst carefully folded
inside. Elnora passed down the great
hall that morning. and no one paid the
slightest attention to her. The truth
was she looked so like every one else
} that she was perfectly inconspicuous
But in the coat room there were mem
beers of her class. Surely no one in
} tended 1t, but the whisper was toe
loud.
} Look Mt the girl from the Timber
lost In the clothes that woman gave
. herr
Elnora turned on them. II beg you
pardon" she said unsteadily;u couldn'
help hearing that! No one gave mt
. these clothes. paid for them my
, self"
I Some ono muttered. Pardon me,
but incredulous faces greeted her.
| Elnorn felt driven aunt Margare
selected them. and she meant to Civ,
them to me-" she explained. but
wouldn't take them. ] paid for then
myself" There was n dead silence.
Don't you believe me?" painted Ell
nora.
Really, 1t is none Of our affair."" sal,
another girl. "Come on; let's Co."
Elnora stepped before the girl VIII
: had spoken. you have made thi
your affair."" she said, because yo
told thing which was not true. n