Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-09-19

serlouS tnlS 1ST'
II suppose I DO"
DO you want as fine n fellow as
Phil driven any further? If he leaves
that hospital now and goes out to the
exposure and anxiety of search for
her there will be tragedy that no aft.
or regrets can avert. Edith. what did
you say to Miss ComstOck that made
her run away from Phil?"
II told her Phil was mine! That II
he were away from her an hour and
back In my presence he would be to
me as he always had BEEN"
Edith. do you believe that now?"
The beautiful head barely moved in
negation. Henderson gathered both her
hands In one Of his and stretched an
arm across her shoulders to the post
to support her. She dragged her hands
from him and twisted them together.
mo! l do not believe 1t now! /
know It is not true! I killed his love
for me. 1t is dead and gone forever.
Nothing will revive it--nothing In all
this world"
She dropped back against his arm
exhausted. Henderson held her and
learned what suffering truly means.
He famed her with his hat, rubbed
her cold hands and murmured broken.
incoherent things. BY and by great
slow tears slipped from under her
closed lids, but when she opened them
her eyes were dull and hard
Henderson thrust his handkerchief
Into her fingers and whispered. Edith,
the boat has been creeping up. It's
very near. Maybe some of our crowd
nre on it. Hadn't we better get away
from here before 1t landsT
IF can walk" she said. "Oh. am
SO dead tired. Hart"
Eyes, dear" said Henderson sooth-
lngly. Just try to get past the land
Ing before the boat anchors. IL only
dared carry you"
They struggled through the waiting
masses. but directly opposite the land
Ing there was a backward movement
in the happy. laughing crowd. the
gang plank came down with a slam
and people began hurrying from the
boat. Crowded against the fish house
On the dock Henderson could only ad-
vance a few steps at Il time. He was
strainlng every nerve to protect and
assist Edith.
Henderson shot q swift glance to-
ward the boat. Terrence O'More just
had stepped from the gangplank, es-
corting little daughter. so like him,
1t was comical. There followed pic
ture not easy to describe. The Angel
in the full flower of her beauty, richly
dressed, a laugh on her cameo face,
the setting sun glinting on her gold
hair. escorted by her eldest son, who
held her hand tightly and carefully
watched her steps. Next came Elnora.
dressed with equal richness. a tritie
taller and slenderer. almost the same
type Of coloring. but with different
eyes and hair. facial lines and ex-
preston.
AS the crowd pressed around the
party an opening was left beside the
fish sheds. Edith ran down the dock.
Henderson sprang after her, catching
her arm and assisting her to the street.
Help mel! she cried. clinging to him.
carrying her out of sight into little
cove walled by high rocks at the back.
where there was a clean floor of white
sand. and logs washed from the lake
for seats. He found one Of these with
back rest. and hurying down to the
water he soaked his handkerchief and
carried 1t to her. She passed it across
her lips. over her eyes.
Hart, what makes you" she said
YEARLY. my mother doesn't care.
She says this is good for me. Do you
think this is good for me, Hart?'
Edith. you know l would give my
life If I could save you this" he said.
J and could not speak further.
He held her carefully. softly tanning
her She was suffering almost more
than either of them could bear.
II wish your boat was here" she
said at last II want to sail fast with
the wind in my face"
There is no wind. I can get my
motor around in few minutes"
Then get It,"
Tile on the sand. l can phone from
the first booth. 1t won't take but a
little while"
Edith lay on the white sand and
Henderson covered her face with her
hat. Then he ran to the nearest booth
and talked imperatively. Presently he
was back, bringing hot drink that
was stimulating. Shortly the motor
ran close to the beach and stopped.
Henderson's servant brought a row.
boat ashore and took them to the
launch.
Hour after hour the boat ran up
and down the shore. The moon arose
and the night air grew very chilly.
Henderson put on an overcoat and
piled more covers on Edith.
You must take me home" she said
at last 1.-THE folks will be uneasy"
He was compelled to take her to the
cottage with the battle still raging
He went back early the next morning,
but already she had wandered out
over the island. Instlnctlvely Hender-
son felt that the shore would attract
her. There was something in the tu-
multi Of rough little Huron's waves
that called to him. 1t was there he
found her. crouching SO close the water
foam was dampening her skirts.
MAY l stay!' he asked.
II have been hoping you would
come" she answered. Its bad