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

them both affected and ostentatious.
Besides, crop 1t as you might, his hair
toOuld assume the appearance of a
mop.
They came round corner to see
two figures coming towards them,
eighty yards away.
IT'S Num-" said Erebus.
Quick as thought the Terror dropped
behind her. slipped off the bag of
booty. and thrust it into a gorse-bush.
"And--and-its the Cruncher with
her" cried Erebus in a tone in which
disgust Outrang surprise.
"Of all the sickening things! The
Cruncher!" cried the Terror, echoing
her disgust. whats be come down
again for?'
They paused: then went on their
way with gloomy faces to meet the
approaching pair.
The gentleman whom they called the
Cruncher, who had so plainly failed to
win their young hearts, was Captain
Raster Of the 39th Hussars and they
called him the Cruncher on account Of
the vlgor with which he piled his
large. white. prominent teeth.
They had not gone five yards when
Virgins said. 81 know why he's come
down. He's come to marry your
mother
'What?" cried the Twins with one
voice, one look of blank CONSERVATION !;
and they stopped short.
''HOw dare you say silly thing
like that" cried Erebus.
II didn't say it." protested Virgins.
Mrs. Blenknsop said it,
t0Thot cillv old Ooccfn orioI Ero
bus.
"And Mrs. Morton. too" said Wig
gins. '''rhey came to tea yesterday and
said it would be a good thing for you
because he's so awfuly rich: the Ter
ror would 90 to Elton: and you'd get
a proper bringing up. But they didn't
seem to think your mother would like
doing it much"
Like it? She wouldn't dream Of
it-a bounder like that cried the
Terror
81 don't know don't know-she'd
do anything for us-you know she
would. said Erebus, wringing her
hands in anxious fear
The Terror stuck his hands in his
pockets. n frown on his flushed face:
This must be stopped" he said
through his clenched teeth.
"But how" said Erebus
"We'lI find way. It's war;
snapped the Terror.
Virgins spurned the earth: "T'm on
your side" he said. I'm a trusty
ally"
"Come on" said the Terror. "we'd
better face him"
They walked firmly to meet the de.
tested enemy. AS they drew near. the
TerrOr's face recovered It's fiawless Sc
renity: but Erebls was scowling still
From twenty yards away Captain
Baster greeted them in n rich. hearty
voice: CLOVIS Terebus and the Error
and how's Freckles:" he cried and
laughed heartily at his own delightful
humor.
The Twins greeted him with a cold
almost murderous politeness: Virgins
shook hands with Mrs. Dangerf1eld
very warmly.
I'm always pleased to see you witt
the Twins" she said with her delight
full smile II know you keep them out
Of mischief"
TITS generally all over before
come" said Virgins somewhat sadly
and Of sudden it occurred to him tt
spurn the earth.
"1've not had that kiss yet, Terebus
I'm going to have II this time In
here" said Captain Baster playfully
and he laughed his rich laugh.
"Arc your snarled Erebus looking
at him with the eyes Of hate.
They turned: and Mrs. Dangerfielt
said, you'll come to tea with us
Wiggins?"
THANK you very much" said Wig
gins; and he spurned the earth. Al
he allghted on 1t once more, he added
"Tea at other peoples houses Is Fl
much nicer than Mt home. Don't yo,
think so, Terror?'
~ always eat more--somehOw," sait
the Terror with grave smile.
, They walked slowly across the com
mon. n protecting twin on either sid
| Of Mrs, Dangerfield: and Captain Bas
tor, in the strong. facetious vein, en-
: livened the walk with his delightful
humOr.
All the way to COlet House he main
tanned gay, facetious flow of per
sonal talk which made Erebus grim
: her teeth. now and again sufYused tn
face Of Virgins with flush of NOR
? tiflcation that dimmed his freckles, an
wrlnkled Mrs Dangerfeld's white brow
: with distressful frown. The Terror
: serene, impassive, gave no heed t
him; his mind WAS hard mt work o.
. this sudden and very serious problem
More than once Erebus countered wit
: sharp retort. hut with none shar
, enough to pierce the rhinocerine ski
, Of the gallant officer. Once this ur
: hidden. hut volube. guest was unde
their roof. even this relief was denie
her. She could only treat him with
steely civility. 1t did not check tn
3 flow of his wit All through tea h
went on shining and shining; Mt tn
: end of it his luster was for a Will
dimmed by the discovery that Inc hn
left his cigarette ease ut the inn an
there were no cigarettes in the hous'
But presently he WAS shining agalr
: The Twins and Virgins rose and r.
tired firmly.
; They came out into the calm NJ
= tumn evening with their souls sceit
ing.
Hes horror He's impossible
] We can't let Mum marry him! w
must stop It'll" cried Erebus.