Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-03-20

"He was locked in q closet, SIR"
what we're you doing in there2" He |
turned to the old negro. "If you don't |
answer me. we will shoot the life out
OF you" He raised his revolver threat
eningly. belongs to you, l reckon"
he said to Mrs. Varney.
Eyes, my butler; they locked him
up. Mr.. Arrelsford wants him for car
rying a message"
THAT'S all right" said the sergeant.
"If no wants him, he can have him.
were looking FOR some one else. Put
him back in his closet. Here, this
rooml Be quick now! Cover that
door. Sorry to disturb you, ma'am."
DO what you please" said Mrs. Var
ney; 81 have nothing on earth to con-
ceal"
AS the men hurriedly withdrew to
continue their search, the voice of a
newcomer was heard on the porch.
The words came to them clearly:
Here, lend a hand, somebody, will
your"
The next moment General Varney's
orderly entered the room. caught sight
of the sergeant, saluted. and then
turned to Mrs. Varney.
1--WE brought back your boy,
ma am" he said.
"Oh!" exclaimed Mrs. Varney faint
ly; what do you mean"
I'VE never got out to General Var
ney's. We ran into a Yankee raiding
party, cavalry, down here about three
miles Our home-guard was galloping
by on the run to head them off, and
before l knew what he was about, tho
boy was in with EN-, riding like mad.
There was a bit of a skirmish, and he
got a clip across the neck. Nothing at
all ma'am. He rode back all the way,
and"
"Oh, my boy! He's hurt-he's
hurt"
Nothing serious, ma'am; don't up
set yourself" returned the orderly re-
assuringly.
Where did YOU"
But that moment the object Of their
solcitude himself appeared on the
scene. The boy was very pale, and his
I
| geants men supported him.
ooh, Wilfred!" cried his mother;
my boy"
Its nothing, mother" said Wilfred,
motionng her away. "You don't un-
derstand." The boy tried to free him
self from the men who still held him
by the arm What do you want to
tL,t no LOT
ed, as he drew himself away and took
a few steps, you see can walk" he
protested.
His words were brave, but his per-
| Torrance was weak His mother came
close to him and extended her arms
toward him. But Wilfred was SOL
der now, and he did not want any
scenes. Therefore, with a great eff
fort, he took her hand in as casual a
manner as possible, quite like stran-
ger paying an afternoon call.
"How do you do, mother" he said.
You didn't expect me back SO soon.
did you? l will tell you how it was.
Don't you go away orderly. I will just
rest a minute, and then I will go back
. /
cannon and the frantic pealing Of the
alarm bells caught his attention. See,
they are ringing the bells calling out
the reserves" He started toward the
door. Il will 90 right now"
mo, no, Wilfred." said his mother,
taking his arm; not now, my SON."
Not now" said Wilfred, whose
IN
you hear those-those-thos bells
and-then tell me MOTTO go-why-"
He swayed and tottered.
Stand by there!" cried the ser.
geant.
The two men Immediately caught
hold Of him as he tainted. They car
ried him to the lounge.
Find some water, will you" con-
tinued the sergeant Put his head
down, maam, and he'll be all right in
u minute. He's only tainted"
One of the privates who had hurried
off in search Of water soon came back
with basin full, with which Mrs. Var.
ney laved the boys head.
He'll be all right in a minute,v said
the sergeant. Come, men"
He turned as he spoke, and, fol-
lowed by the men, left the room. leav'
ing Mrs. Varney with Wilfred and the
orderly. 1t was the latter who broke
the silence.
'If there isn't anything else, ma'am
| believe I'd better report back to the
general"
Yes, said Mrs. Varney, don't wait
The wound is dressed, isn't IT,"
Yes; l took him to the Windsor
hospital. They said he would be on
his feet in a day or two, but he wants
to be kept pretty quiet"
Tell the general how it happened
Every we'll ma'am." said the order.
ly. touching his cap and going out
The next person to enter the room
was Caroline Milford. The noise OF
the men searching the house was very
plain. Having informed Edith OF the
meaning Of the tumult, she had come
downstairs to inquire if they had
found Thorne. She came slowly with.
In the door-rather listlessly, In fact
The exciting events Of the night in
which she had taken part had some
what Slapped her natural vivacity, but
she was shocked into instant action
when she saw Wilfred stretched upon
the sofa.
oh, hoo