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

believe there is any tea left in the
house"
Bread and butter will be a FEAST"
said Miss K%ittridge.
And l don't believe there Is much
butter either" smiled the Older
woman.
We'll, it doesn't matter" said the
other. "Is-is your son-is there any
change"
Not for tho better" was the reply
81 am afraid his fever Is increasing"
And has the surgeon seen him this
evening""
mot tonight"
"Nhy not?" exclaimed Miss Kilt.
ridge in great surprise. Surely his
condition is sufficiently critical to de
,nand more than one brief visit In the
morning"
ct can't ask him to come twice with
so many waiting for him." said Mrs.
Varney.
But they would not refuse you,
Mrs. varney," said Miss Kittridge
quickly. There's that man going back
to the hospital. he's IN the dining
room yet. I'll call him and send word
that"
She started impulsively toward the
door, but Mrs. Varney caught her by
the arm.
no" she said firmly; II can't let
you"
Not for your own SOM"
II am thinking of the sons OF other
mothers. The q has done all
that he can for him. And think how
many other sons would have to be neg
lected If he visited mine twice. He
will come again tomorrow"
The second woman stood looking at
her in mingled sympathy and amaze
ment, and there was a touch Of pride
in her glance, too. She was proud of
her sex, and she had a right to be
there in Richmond that spring, II
ever.
Il understand" said Miss Kittridge
at last. II suppose you are right"
They stared at each other, white
faced, a moment, when there entered
to them youth and beauty in%carnate.
There was enough resemblance be-
tween the pale, white-haired mother
and the girlish figure In the doorway
to proclaim their relationship. The
girls cheek had lost some OF its bloom
and some of its r%oundness. There was
too much that was appalling and fear
full in and about Richmond then not
to leave its mark ever upon the most
youthful and the most %buoyant, We,
things did not come home to the young
as they did to those older. She wal
still a lovely picture, especially in the
soft radiance of the candles. She car
ried her hat in her hand. The flowers
upon it were assuredly those Of yes
ter-year, 1t would not have passed
muster as the mode anywhere excep
in besieged Richmond; and her dress
although it fitted her perfectly, wa,
worn and faded and had been turnet
and patched and altered until 1t wa,
quite beyond further change. yet sh'
o 1t as airily as IL 1t had been tis
sue Of silver or cloth OF gold.
The mothers face frightened.
Edith. DEAR" she exclaimed. "hov
late you are! 1t is after eight O'Clock
You must be tired out"
Il am not tired at ALL" answered tn
girl cheerily. II have not been at tn
; hospital all afternoon; this is my da
of. How is Howard?"
81 wish I could say Just the sam,
but he seems a LITTLE worse"
The girls face went suddenly r
| She stepped owe to her mother, too
her hand and patted it softly.
rs there nothing you can do?"
: My dear" said her mother. "Hov
ard-we-are all in Gods hands"
She drew a long breath and lifte
her head bravely.
Miss Kittridge," said the girl, :
have something very important to te
mother. and
Miss Kittridge smiled back at her.
Il am going right away, hone,
There is lots of work for us to d
and
You don't mind, hope" said Edit
Varpey, calling after her as she wer
into the hall.
No, indeed" was the reply.
Mrs. Varney sat down YEARLY b
tho table, and Edith pulled up a 10,
stool and sat at her feet.
We'll, my DEAR"
"Mamma-what do o think? Wha
do you Think"
81 think a great many things" sal
Mrs. Varney, but
yes, but you wouldn't ever think
this"
Certainly I shall not. unless 70
tell me-"
well. l have been to see the pres
dent
The president-Mr. Davis?"
"Yes."
And what did you go to see th
president for:"
, II asked him for an appointment fc
Captain Thorne,"
For Captain Thorne! My dear
yes. mother, for the war depar
ment telegraph service. And he CAV
1t to me, a special commission. II
, gave it TO me for fathers sake and ft
l Captain Thorne's sake-he has m,
a him and likes him--and for my own
q What sort OF an appointment"
Appointing him to duty here
a Richmond, a very important positio
He won't be sent to the front, and |
I will be doing his duty Just the same
But. Edith. you dont-you cant
Eyes, 1t will. mother. The presidel