Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

CHAPTER u.

rotund and privileged Martha. She
came at an opportune time, relieving
the tension between the mother and
son. WilfrCA was not insensible to
his mothers feelings, but he was de-
termined to go to the front. He was
glad of the interruption and rather
,hamefacedly took advantage OF 1t by
leaving the room.
well, Martha, what Is IT." asked
Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her
composure.
"Deys one oh de men FUN de hos
siple heah. ma'am.'
Another one?
"Ah 'clah to goodness, ma'am, dey
les keeps a.comin' an a-comin'.
'Peahs like we CANT keep no close
TO- ourse'f: de sheets an tablecloths
an napkins an chen de young MISS
tess petticoa.s, dey all hab to 60"
"And we have just sent all the ban.
dages we have" said Mrs. varney,
smiling.
Den we go. to git some mo-. Dey
says dey's all used up. an two mo-
trains jes' come in crowded full o.
WOuuucu bOJa1c-oA AhOo Oil Wv Gill
dreffeul bad"
"Is Miss Kittridge here yet. Mar
thar"
"Yas'm. All jes' seed her goin' thu
de hall into de libr'y."
Ask her II they have anything to
send. Even if it's only a little. let
them have It. What they need most is
oandages. There are some in How
ards room. too. Give them half Of
what you find there. ] think what WI
have left will last long enough TO-
to-"
""Yas'm." said old Martha. smiling.
"Ah'm a-gwine. Does you want to see
de man."
"Yes, send him in" said Mrs. Var
ney.
There was a light tap on the door
after Martha went out.
Come in" said the mistress Of the
house, and there entered to her a bat.
tered and dilapidated specimen Of
young humanity. his arm in a sling.
MY poor mani" exclaimed Mrs. Var
ney. sit down"
THANK you ma'am."
Martha" she called to the old
woman, who paused at the door on her
way to the stairs. cant you get some
thing to eat Inc drink for this gentle
man."
We'll, the pantry amt obahhowin'
as you know, Mrs. Varney. But All
reckon All might fin a glass o. mill
IF All jes' had to-"
"All our wine has gone long ago.
said Mrs. Varney to the soldier, but
if a glass OF milk"
Il haven't seen a glass of milk fol
three years., ma'am," answered the
man, smiling; "it would taste like nee
tar"
Martha will set it for you in the
dining room while you are waiting
What hospital did you come from, BY
The way?"
The Winder, ma'am."
And is it full?"
They are laying them on blankets
IN the floor. You ear hardly step fol-
wounded men,"
Il suppose you need everything"
Everything. but especially band
ages"
Have you been over to st. Paul's
church? The ladies' are working there
tonight"
Yes, ma'am, I've been over there,
but they're not working for the hos
vital: they're making sand-bags for
o~rtiications."
And where are you FROM"
I'm a Louisiana Tiger. ma'am," an
swered the man proudly.
You don't look much like it now
said the woman, smiling.
mo, / guess the lamb is more like
ne now. but just wait until | get vel
enough to go TO the front again. ad
mitted the soldier cheerfully.
At this moment m of the ladies
who had been working in the othel
room came in carrying a small packe
~ %bandages done up In a coarse
brown p
"Oh. Miss Kittridge." said Mrs. Var
ney, here ia the gentleman who"
Miss Kittridge was a very business
like person.
This is every scrap we have" sht
said. handing the soldier the parce
with a little bow. IF you will com
back In an hour or two. perhaps W,
shall nave more for you"
Thank you. ladies', and God blesI
you. l don't know what our poor fel
lows in the hospitals would do If i
weren't for you"
Don't forget your milk in the din
ing ROOM" said Mrs. Varney.
I'm not likely to, ma'am." returne
the soldier, as, in spite OF his wount
ed arm, he bowed gracefully to tn
m
In the hall Martha's voice could b
heard exclaiming:
Come right dis way. you po' chile
an see what Abs got TO- you in d
dinin' room"
"You must be tired to DEATH" sal
Mrs. Varney to Miss Kittridge, lookin
at the white face Of the other woman
Her brother had been killed a fe'
days before, but the clods had scarce
ly ratified down upon his coffin befor
she was theoretically at work again
for other women's brothers.
mo, no." she said bravely; land on
tiredness Is nothing compared to tn
WEAKNESS of our men. We are goin
to stay late tonight. Mrs. Varney,
you will let us. There's 90 man
wounded come In 1t won't do t