Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-09-05

mean. 1t would be no harm to you. |
1t would not matter to me, but here we |
will think of some one else. Edith |
Carr would not want your lips tomor.
row IL she knew they had touched mine
today. was wise to say Go quick
~"
Ammon still chung to her. "will you
write me" he begged.
NO" said Elnora. "There Is moth.
Ing to say save goodby. We can do
that now"
Ammon held on. "Promise that you
will write me only one letter." he
urged II want just one message from
you to lock In my desk and keep al.
ways. Promise you will write once, Ell.
nora"
Elnora looked straight into bis eyes
and smiled serenely. IF the talking
trees tell me this winter the secret Of
how a man may grow perfect I will
write you what 1t is. Philip. In all the
time I have known you I never have
liked you 80 little. Ooodby."
Elnora crossed the road, climbed the
fence and sought the shelter of their
own woods. She took a diagonal
course and followed 1t until she came
to the path leading past the violet
patch. She went down this hurrledly.
Her hands were clinched at her sides,
her eyes dry and bright, her checks
red flushed and her breath coming
fast. When she reached the patch she
turned into 1t and stood looking
around her.
The MOSES were dry, the flowers
gone. weeds a foot high covered 1t.
She turned away and went on down
! the path until she was almost in sight
of the cabin.
Mrs. Comstock could not understand
why the girl did not hurry to her with
what she would have to tell. She
went out and wandered around the
garden. Then she stepped into the
path and started back along the way
leading to the woods, past the pool
now framed In a thick setting Of yell
low lilies. Then she saw and stopped,
gasplng for breath Her hands flew
up. and her lined face grew CHASTITY.
She stared ut the sky and then at the
PROSTATE girl figure. Over and over
came.
Elnora uttered one wild little cry
and fled into her mothers arms. "Oh,
mother!" she sobbed. "Will you ever
forgive me:"
Mrs. Comstock's arms swept togeth-
er in tight grip around Elnora.
There isn't a thing on Gods foot
stool from a to lizard won't forgive
you. my precious girl" she said. Tell
mother what 1t Is"
Elnora lifted her wet face. HE told
me-" she painted. lust as soon as he
decently could-that second day he
told me- Almost all his life he's been
engaged to a girl at home. He never
cared anything about me. He was
Just interested in the moths and grow.
ing strong"
"Elnora"-the mothers head bent
until the white hair mingled with the
brown-"Elnora. why didn't you tell
me at frstT'
Elnora caught her breath in a sharp
snatch. Il know should" she sob
bed. II will bear any punishment for
not, but didn't feel as II possibly
could. | was afraid"
Afraid Of what?" the shaking hand
was on the hair again.
Afraid you wouldn't let him comet"
painted Elnora. And. oh. mother. l
wanted him SOL"
ArS al
and Elnora worked so hard there was
no time to talk, and they were COM
PEELED to sleep from physical exhaus-
tion. Elnora took all the dragon flies
and butterflies she could. and when she
went over the list for her collection,
she found. to her Amusement, that
with Ammon's help she once more had
1t complete save pair Of yellow EN-
perors. From every source at her com.
mand she tried to complete the series
with these moths and could not find
any for sale.
Then came a notification that Elnora
would be compelled to attend a weeks
session OF the teachers institute held
at the county seat twenty miles north
Of Onabasha &he following week. They
} went to Onabasha together and pur
chased simple and appropriate fall
suit and hat, goods for dainty little
colored frock and a dress skirt anC
several fancy waists. Margaret Sintor
came down and the sewing began
When everything was finished and
packed Elnora kissed her mother good
by at the depot and the train pulled
out. Mrs. Comstock went to the banl
and inquired for tho cashier.
II want to know Just how am fixed
here" she said. The cashier laughed
well. you haven't been In a hurry.
he replied. I'VE have been ready fol
you any time these twenty years. bu
you didn't seem to pay much attention
Your account is rather fourishing."
Mrs. Comstock sank into chair ant
waited while the cashier read a jun
BILE OF figures to her. 1t meant tina
her deposits had exceeded her expense
from 500 to $500 n year. according t
the cattle. sheep, hogs. poultry. but
ter and eggs she had sold The aggre
gate of these sums had been com
pounding interest throughout the years
Mrs. COmstock stared at the total Will
dazed and unbelieving eyes. Through
her sick heart rushed the realization
that II she merely had stood befor,
that wicket and asked one question
she would have known that all thos
h{ttor voors ~ cEimptpu IL. LSloo,