Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-09-12

"All right! he called. Thanks. ev.
cry one Excuse me n minute"
He ran to the Office.
IAN ounce Of gasoline. quick! he
ordered. "A cigar box. cork and the
glue bottle"
He poured some glue into the bot
tom of the box, set the cork In It firm
~, dashed the gasoline over the moth
repeatedly, pinned 1t to the cork. pour
ed the remainder of the liquid over 1t,
closed the box and fastened 1t. Then
he laid bill on the counter.
"Pack that box with cork around It
in one twice it's size, tie securely and
express to this address at once.
keep the change" called Ammon as
he ran back to the pavilion.
Edith Carr stood where he left her.
thinking rapidly. She heard the MUIR
muir that went up when Philip started
to capture the exquisite golden crea-
ture she was impersonating. She saw
the fash Of surprise that went over
unrestralned faces when he ran from
the room without even showing 1t to
her.
He had spoken Of a country girl he
had met who played the violin wonder
fully, and at times he had showed a
disposition to exalt her as a standard
of womanhood. Miss Carr had ignored
what he said and talked Of something
else. 1t was that girl who was collect
ing moths! No doubt she was the
competent Judge who was responsible
for the yellow costume Philip had de-
vised. Had Edith Carr been in her
room she would have torn Off the
dress at the thought.
Being In q circle Of her best friends,
which to her meant her keenest rivals
and hardest critics. she grew rigid
with anger. Her breath hurt her pain
ing chest. No one thought to speak
to the musicians. and, seeing the floor
filled, they began the waltz.
Edith Carr grew very white as she
stood alone. The idolized only daugh-
ter of the Carr family hoped that she
would drop dead from modification.
but nothing happened. She was too
perverse to step aside laughingly and
say that she was waiting for Philip.
Then came Tom lowering dancing
with Polly Ammon. Being In the
scales with the Ammon family. Tom
scented trouble from afar, So he whls-
pered to Polly Edith is standing in
the middle Of the floor, and she's awful
mad about something"
They hurried to Edith.
Come. DEAR" said Polly. We are
going to wait with YOU until Phil gets
back. Let's go for drink. am SO
thirsty"
"My betrothed left me here" Edith
said. Here shall remain until he
returns for me, and then-he will be
my betrothed no longer"
Polly grasped Edith's arm.
"Oh, Edith" she implored. Don't
make scene here, and tonight. He
can explain! It's only breath since l
saw him so out. thought he had re.
turned"
He has been gone just long enough
to show every one Of his guests that
he will leave me standing alone, like a
neglected fool, for any passing whim
of his. Explain! His explanation
would sound well! DO you know for
whom he caught that moth? II is be.
ing sent to a girl he flirted with all last
summer"
Speech Embossed the fountain. She
stripped of her gloves to free her
hands. At that instant the dancers
parted to admit Philip. Instinctively
they stopped as they approached and
with wondering faces walled in Edith
and Philip, Polly and Tom.
Mighty good Of you to waity' cried
Ammon, his face beaming with delight
over his success In capturing the gel
low Emperor. Il thought when heard
the music you were going on"
How did you think l was going
on?" demanded Edith Carr in frigid
tones.
II thought you would step aside and
wait a few seconds for me or dance
with Henderson. 1t was most impor.
tant to have that moth It Just com.
pletes a valuable collection for q per.
son who needs the money. Gomez
He held out his arms.
II step aside for no one!' stormed
Edith Carr. II await no other girls
pleasure! You may complete the col.
lection with thatw
She drew her engagement ring from
her finger and reached to place 1t in
one of Philips outstretched hands.
Ammon saw and drew back. Instant.
ly Edith dropped the ring. As 1t fell.
almost instinctively Philip caught It In
air.
Edith. for the love Of mercy, wait
until can explain" he begged. "Put
on your ring and let me tell you how
It is."
"Never! Your conduct 10 infamous!"
Come to think Of It," said Ammon
deliberately, ut is infamous to cut a
girl who Inns danced all her life out of
a few measures Of waltz. As for
asking forgiveness for so black sin
as picking up moth and starting 1t to
friend who lives by collecting them
| don't see how l could. ! have not
been gone three minutes by the clock.
Edith. Put on your ring and finish the
dance like dear girl"
He thrust the glittering ruby into her
fingers and again held out his arms.
She dropped the ring. and It rolled
some distance from them. Henderson
followed itn shining course and caught
1t before 1t was lost
"You really mean IT." demanded Am.