Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-02

away so soon," she said, as he bowed
himself out.
Trust me not to forget that, Mrs.
varney," said the lieutenant, as he dis
appeared on the porch.
Captain Thorne and Edith were left
alone The girl stepped over to
small table on which stood vase OF
roses. and, with somewhat nervous
hands, she busted herself arranging
them. The young officer watched her
in silence for a little while, the mo-
ments tense with emotion.
Shall see Mrs. Varney again." he
began at last.
ooh, | suppose So but not now.
heard her so upstairs to Howard"
How is he?"
Desperately ILL.,"
81 am sorry"
Yes" said the girl.
81 have very little time to stay
and"
"Oh--not long," asked Edith.
"No, | am sorry to say"
We'll, do you know" she looked at
him archly, 81 believe you will have
more time than you really think you
have. 1t would be odd if it came out
that way, wouldn't it?" she continued,
as she played with the flower In her
hand
Yes, but it won't come out that
way" said Thorne, as he stepped
closer to her.
you don't know" she faltered, as
Thorne drew the flower from her and
took her hand in his. They stood there
quiet a moment, and she did not draw
her hand away. We'll. it makes no
I difference how soon you are going
away; you can sit down in the mean
time if YOU want to-"
at is hardly worth WHILE" he said
my time is so short
t you would better" interrupted the
girl; 81 have great many things to
: say to you"
t Have you?" he asked, sitting down
on the little sofa by her side in COM
pliance with her invitation.
Il Yes"
T But have only one thing to say to
you-Mlss Varney and-that Isl
Thorne took her other hand in both of
goodbye"
d Very different words had trembled
on his lips, as he knew and as the
s girl knew.
= but l don't really think you will
3 have TO say that. Captain Thorne,"
said Edith slowly.
: 81 know | will"
i Then said Edith more softly, ut
will be because you want to say it,"
! No. said Thorne, resolutely and
t of his own motion releasing her hands
which she had allowed him to hold
. without remonstrance; ut WIFI be be-
1 cause l must"
lie rose to his feet and took up his
/. hat from the table as if, the thing be
ing settled he had only to go. But
{ the girl observed with secret Joy that
= he made no other effort at departure
t "Oh. you think you must, do you,
Captain Thorne?" said Edith, looking
} up at him mischievously. you are a
very wise person, but you don't know
= all that I know"
) 81 think that Is more than likely,
a Miss Varney. but won't you tell me
some of the things that you know that
,, hOi pO tudl CtH approach your
k knowledge in that respectf'
o 81 wouldn't mind telling you one
thing, and that Is that 1t is very
i wrong for you to think Of leaving
IHchmond now"
r "Oh, but you don't know"
5 Yes, do
d We'll, what do you know" asked
Thorne curiously
+ whatever you were going to say.
h Most likely il was that there's some
r thing or other don't know about, but
d to recover, and you haven't nearly had
Q enough time for 1t yet"
II do look as II a high wind would
d blow me away. don't II" he laughed
d mo matter how you look, you ought
:. not to go. You are just making fun of
il, as you always do of everything. No
D. matter, you can have all the fun you
It like, but the whole thing is settled |;
It you are not going away at all, you are
going to stay here" she concluded
"a with most decided but winning empha-
Ia sis.
Oh, I'm not going? Well, that is
r. quite change for me-" said Thorne
10 composedly. He laid his hat back on
" the table and came closer to Edith
g. Perhaps you wouldn't mind telling
me what am going to do"
4. IL don't mind at all, and II is this
ot You see. have been to see--I am al.
most afraid to tell you"
z Don't tell me-" said the man with
sudden seriousness, laying aside all
1t his PLEASANTLY. because it can't be
u true. have my orders, and am leav-
ing tonight"
u 'Where-to Petersburg-to the
,r front?'
I'VE can't always tell where orders
will take US" he said evasively. again
ID sitting down beside her on the lounge.
Y, He could scarcely tear himself away
10 from her. from the delicious yet pain
tul emotion aroused by her presence.