Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-02
CHAPTER ~.
Miss Mitford's Intervention.

ing uBuTe, ne listened u Hei iooS'"io
on the stair, and then came to an In
slant resolution. He would take ad.
vantage of her opportune withdrawal.
He turned back to the table, seized his
! hat, and started for the door, only to
come face to face with another charm
/ ing young woman, who stood breath
/ less before him to his great and ill-con-
cealed annoyance. Yet the newcomer
was pretty enough and young enough
and sweet enough to give any man
pause for the sheer pleasure OF look
ing at her, to say nothing OF speaking
to her.
The resources Of an ancient ward
robe. that looked as though it had be.
longed to her great-grandmother had
been called upon for a costume which
was quaint and old-fashioned and alto
gether lovely. She was evidently much
younger than Edith Varney. perha ps
just sixteen, Wilfred's age. With out
stretched arms she barred the door
completely, and Thorne, OF course,
came to an abrupt stop.
"Oh. good evening" she painted, as
soon as she found speech; she mad run
without stopping from her house
across the street.
Good evening, Miss Milford" he
answered, stepping to one side to let
her pass, but through calculation or
chance she kept her position at the
door.
How lucky this Isl" she continued
You are the very person I wanted to
see. Let's sit down and then I'll tell
you all about It. Goodness me, I am all
out of breath just running over from
our house"
Thorne did not accept her invita-
ton. but stood looking at her An idea
came to him.
Miss Milford" he said at last, step
ping toward her. will you do some
thing for me?"
"Of course will"
Thank you very much, indeed. Just
tell Miss Varney when she comes
down-iust say good night for me and
tell her that I've gone"
81 wouldn't do such thing for the
wide, wide world" returned Caroline
NItlciu III SlSIlutu
why not?"
ut would be a wicked, dreadful
story, because you wouldn't be gone"
81 am sorry you look at it that way,
said Thorne. because I am going
Good night, Miss Milford"
But before he could leave the room
the girl, who was as light on her fee,
| 20, Il
"No-you don't seem to understand
I've got something to say to you"
Eyes, ! know" said Thorne; "but
some other time"
mo, now"
OF course, he could have freed him
self by the use of little force, but
such a thing WAS not to be thought of
when his duty called him away, he
thought quickly
There isn't any other time" said
Caroline at is tonight. We are goins
to have a Starvation party"
Good heavens!" exclaimed Thorne
"another!"
Yes we are"
ut is going to be over at our house
and we expect you In half an hour"
81 shouldn't think you would want
to play at this time"
We are not going to play. We are
going to make bandages and sandbags
and"
You won't need me-"
yes, you can tell US the best way
to"
Thank you, Miss Milford, I CAM
come. | have my orders and an
leaving tonight"
Now. that won't do at ALL" said the
girl. pouting. You went to Mamie
Jones party; I don't see why you
should treat me like this"
Mamie Jones!" said Thorne. "Why
that was last Thursday. and now
have got orders, tell you. and"
But Caroline was not to be put of.
Now, there's no use talking about
It," she said vehemently.
Yes, see that"
Didn't you promise to obey orders
when I gave them? Well, these are or
ders."
|, Another set," laughed Thorne.
II don't know anything about any
others. These are NINE
well. but this time"
This time Is just the same as all
the other times, only worse; besides
told her you would be there
whats that?"
II say she expects you, that's sill"
"Who expects me?"
Why, Edith, of course; who do you
suppose | was talking about all this
timer"
oh, she expects me to"
why. OF course. she does. You are
to take her over You needn't stay
you don't want to. Now will go and
tell her you are waiting"
"Oh. very WELL" said Thorne, smil
, ing; III she expects me to take her
over will do so. of course, but / cant
, stay moment"
WELL" said Caroline, 81 thought
, you would come to your senses some
time or another. See here. Mr.. Cap
tain. was she most ready?"
well. how do | know"
What dress did she have on?"
"Dress?"
) "Oh, you men! Why, she's only go'
two"
Yes; well, very likely, this wat
one of them Mice milford"