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

pital."
Mammal"
And for another thing. this note
came about half an hour ago"
els It for met"
FOR me-, my dear, else I shouldn't
have opened it. You q read 1t, II
you like"
HAS 1t been here all this timer" ex-
claimed Edith jealously.
"All this time. You will see what
he says. This will be his last call;
he has his orders to leave"
why, it's too ridiculous!" said the
girl; lust as If the commission from
the president wouldn't supersede
everything else. It puts him at the
head of the telegraph service. He will
be in command of the department. He
says 1t is a goodbye call. does he?"
She looked at the note again and
laughed, "All the better. It will be that
much more Of a surprise. Now,
mamma, don't you breathe a word
about it, I want to tell him myself"
But. Edith dear-1 am sorry to
criticise you-but I don't at all ap-
prove Of your going to the president
about this. 1t doesn't seem quite the
proper thing for a young lady to inter
est herself 60 far"
But listen, mamma" and as she
spoke the light went out OF Miss
Edith's face at her mothers grave and
somewhat reproving aspect. Il couldn't
60 to the war department people. Mr..
Arrelsford is there in one of the Of
fees and ever since II refused him,
you know how he has treated me! II
! had applied for anything there, II
would have been refused at once, and
he would have got them to order Cap
tain Thorne way right off. I know
he ~would-why, that is where his or.
ders came FRONT"
But. my dear"
That Is where they came from.
Isn't it lucky I got that commission to-
day. There's the bell; | wonder who
1t can be?" She stopped and listened
while the door opened and Jonas. the
butler, entered. rs It Captain
Thorne?" asked Edith eagerly.
mo, ma'am."
"Oh!"
ITS another ofisuh, ma'am. He
says he's FUN de president an he's got
to see Miss Edith %pussonally."
Jonas extended a card which, as he
spoke. Edith ooh and glanced at in
differently.
Lieutenant Maxwell" she read.
ASK the gentleman In, Jonas" said
Mrs. Varney.
IT'S come" whispered Edith to her
mother.
ID you know who he is
"No-but he's from the president
it must be that commission"
At this moment old Jonas ushered
into the drawing room a very dashing
young officer. handsome In face, gal
liant in bearing, and dressed in a snowy
and perfectly fitting uniform, which
was quite a contrast to the worn habil-
iments OF the men at the front. Mrs.
Varney stepped forward a little, and
Lieutenant Maxwell bowed low before
her.
Good evening. ma'am. Have I the
honor OF addressing Miss Varney?"
Il am Mrs. Varney. sir"
Madam" said the lieutenant, IT
am very much afraid this looks like
IN intrusion on my part. but I come
from the president. and he desires me
to see Miss Varney personally"
Anyone from the president could
not be otherwise than welcome, sir.
This is my daughter. Edith. let me
present Lieutenant Maxwell"
The young lieutenant, greatly i'm
pressed. bowed profoundly before her,
and taking a large brown envelope
from his belt, handed II to her.
Miss Varney," he said, the presi-
lent directed me to deliver this into
your hands. with his compliments. He
is glad to be able to do this, he says,
not only at your request, but because
OF your father and for the merits OF
the gentleman In question"
ooh, thank you" cried the girl. TAX
ing the envelope.
won't you be seated, Lieutenant
MAXWELL" said Mrs. Varney.
Yes. do" urged the girl. holding
the envelope pressed very tightly tC
her side.
Nothing would please me so much
ladies'" answered the lieutenant, blu,
I must go back to the presidents house
right away. I'm on duty his evening
Would you mind writing me off a line
or two, Miss Varney. just to say YOU
have received the communications"
why. certainly, you want a receipt
I'll 60 upstairs to my desk; 1t won
take a moment. And could I put IL
how much | thank him for his kind
ness?"
Il am sure he would be more thai
pleased" smiled Lieutenant Maxwell
as Edith left the Don and hastenet
up the stairs.
I'VE haven't heard SO much cannon
aiding today. lieutenant" said Mrs
Varney. "Do you know what
means?"
, Il don't think they are quite pos
} tive, ma'am, but they can't help look
ing for a violent attack to follow"
IL don't see why it should quie
down before an assault"
Well. there is always a calm befor
: a Storm" said the lieutenant. Il
!. might be some signal. or 1t might b
" they are moving their batteries t
}. open on some special point of attach
They are trying every way to brea
through our defenses, you know"