Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-18

G damp hand across his forehead.
i think you're mad to stand talking
mere. Come to the office, for heavens
sake. And. I'd be ground up there, II
you hadn't caught me-" he looked to-
ward tho jaws sulleny shredding and
reshredding strip Of cloth from his
sleeve I'll do anything you want"
WIN your" Lestrange flashed
Quickly. He flung back his head with
the resolute setting Of expression the
other knew SO we'll, his eyes brilliant
with a resolve that took no heed OF
physical discomfort. "Then give mo
your word that you'll stick to your
work here. That is my fear; that the
change In you Is Just mood your
tire OF some day. ! want you to stand
up to your work and not drop out dis.
qualified"
II WILL" said Dick. subdued and
earnest. II couldn't help doing It
your arm"
Lestrange impatiently dragged out
his handkerchief and wound 1t around
the cut
go on"
II cant help keeping on; I couldn't
go back now. You've got me awake.
No one else ever tried, and was hav.
ing good time. It began with liking
you and thinking OF all you did. and
feeling funny alongside Of you" He
paused, struggling with Anglo'Saxon
shyness. I'm awfdlly fond of you,
old fellow"
The others gray eyes warmed and
cleared. Smiling he held out his len
hand.
"Tt's mutual" he assured. ut isn't
playing the game to trap you while
you are upset like this. But l don't
believe you'll be sorry. Come find
some one to tie this up for me; can't
have 1t stiff tomorrow"
But in spite Of his protested haste,
Lestrange stopped at the head Of the
stairs and went back to recover some
small object lying on the floor be.
meath a pool Of chilling metal. When
he rejoined Dick, It was to linger yet
moment to look back across the
teeming room.
TITS worth having all this" he
commented, with the first touch OF
sadness the other ever had seen in
him. Don't throw it away. French"
There is usually surgeon within
reach Of factory. When Mr.. Ffrench
passed out to the cart where Emily
waited, he passed Dick and the VII
M, ;,,io
gentleman put on his glasses to sur.
vey his nephews white face.
"An ACCIDENT" he inquired.
The casual curiosity was sufficiently
exasperating. end Dicks nerves were
badly gone.
Nothing worth mentioning" he
snapped Gust that I nearly fell into
the machinery and Lestrange has
done up his arm pulling mo out
That's all"
And he hurried the doctor on with
out further parley or excuse.
Lestrange was in the room behind
the office, smoking one Of Bailey's
cigars and listening to that gentle.
mans vigorous remarks concerning
managers who couldn't keep out OF
their own machinery. the patient not
having considered 1t worth while to
explain Dicks share in the mischance.
An omission which Dick himself
promptly remed!ed In his anxious con.
tiitioh.
Later, when the arm was being
swathed in white linen, its owner
spoke to his companion of tho morn.
ing:
~ hope you didn't annoy Miss
French with this trifing matter, as
you came in"
II didn't speak to her at all, only
to my uncle"
Every good"
Something in the too-indolent tone
reused Dicks usually dormant obser.
walton. Startled, he scrutinized lie.
strange.
rs thar why you bothered yourself
with me?" he stammered. rs that
Why"
''Shut up" warned Lestrange forci.
bly, and inelegantly THAT isn't tight
tuOuSu, DOC gu hllO" ! Ala CAPCII
enced at this sort of thing. and I'm
going to use this arm"
But Dick was not to be silenced in
his new enlightenment. When the
surgeon momentarily turned away, he
leaned nearer. his plump face grim
III brace up, it won't be for Emily.
but for you. Darling Lestrange." he
whispered viciously. She don't want
me and don't want her. that way.
I've got over that And, and-oh, con.
found 1t, I'm sorry, old mani"
SHUT up!' said Lestrange again.
But though Dicks very sympathy
unconsciously showed the hopeless
chasm between the racing driver and
Miss Ffrench, the hurt did not cloud
the cordial smile Lestrange sent to
mitigate his command.