Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-04-24

and I had to do something to stand of
this weight lifting tenor"
rs 1t any wonder a woman d%istrusts
every man she meets?" mused the
~chaperon. Helen might forgive you
| couldn't"
ooh. It's not that bad. I know wha,
I'm doing"
you will cause these cowboys tc
lose a lot more money"
MOT at all. When Culver arrives
ooh. that is what ! want TO talk
over with you," Mrs. Keap broke in
n%ervously.
Then it isn't about the foot.racei
You are not angry?" Speed frightened
amazingly.
I'm not exactly angry; I'm sur
prised and grieved. OF course, I can't
forgive deceit dare say I am more
particular than most people"
But you won't tell? Mrs. Keap in
dictated in some subtle manner that
she was not above making terms
whereupon her companion declared
warmly: I'm yours for lifel Ash
me for my watch, my right eye, any.
thing! I'll give 1t to your
II assure you I sha'n't ask anything
so important as that, but | shall ask
a favor"
Name it and 1t Is yours!" Speed
wrung the hand she offered,
And perhaps I can do moro than
keep silent-although | don't see what
good 1t will do. Perhaps I can help
your suit"
Gracious lady, all I ask is that you
thrust out your foot and trip up
Berkeley Fresno whenever he starts
toward her. Put him out OF the play,
and / shall be the happiest man In
the world"
Agreed"
Now. in what way can I serve
your"
Mrs. Keap became embarrassed
while the same shadowy trouble that
had been observed of late settled Upon
her.
II simply hate to ask It," she said
"but l suppose l must. There seems
to be no other way out Of it." Turn
ing to him suddenly, she said. in o
lON, lllcuSS NOlSt. II III Ill IIOp
BILE, Mr.. Speed, such dreadful trou
ble!"
ooh, I'm so sorry" he answered
her, with genuine solicitude. you
needn't have made any conditions. J
would have done anything l could for
you"
That's very kind, for l don't like
an dir Of onnSniranv h1tfp-Mrd Knor
was wringing her slender hands,
just can't tell the girls. You-you can
help me-"
Speed allowed her time to grow
calm, when she continued:
Il am engaged to be married."
"Felicitations!"
Not at ALL" said the young widow,
wretchedly. THAT is the awful part
of it. | am engaged to two men!" She
turned her brown eyes full upon him;
they were strained and tragic.
Speed felt himself impelled to laugh
immoderately, but instead he oh
served, in a one to relieve her anx.
iety:
Nothing unusual in that; 1t has
been done before. Even I have beer
prodigal with my affections. What can
| do to relieve the congestion? ?"
please don't make light Of it. II
means SC much to me. I'm in love
with Jack Chaplin"
With Jack!"
Eyes. When l came here | thought
| cared for somebody else. Why, ]
wanted to come here just because ]
knew that-that somebody else had
been invited too, and we could be to-
gether."
And he couldn't come"
Wait! And then, when l got here,
| met Jack Chaplin. That was less than
a week ago, and yet in that short time
/ have learned that he Is the only
man l can ever love-the one man In
all the world"
And you can't accept because you
have a previous engagement. see!
Joye! It's quite dramatic. BUT ], !dopt
other chap isn't coming"
But he is! That is what makes 1t
so dreadful! If those two men should
meet'-Mrs. Keap buried her face in
her hands and shuddered-"there
would be a tragedy. they are both so
frightfully jealous" She began to
tremble, and Speed laid a comforting
hand upon her shoulder.
Il think you must be exciting your
self %unduly," said he. Jeans other
friends didn't m There's nobody
due now but Culver Gov"
That's who it Isl" Roberta raised
her pallid face as the young man fell
back.
Culver! Great Scott! Why, he's
engaged"
what"
Nothing! II" Speed paused,
at an utter loss for words.
you see, he'll discover the truth"
Does he know you are here?"
mo. ! intended to surprise him. ]
was jealous. | couldn't zeal to think
of his being here with other girls
men are so deceitful! That's why ]
consented to act as chaperon to Helen.
And now to think that | should have
met my fate in Jack Chapin!"
II see. You want me to break the
news to Culver"
mo! mol" Mrs. Keap was aghast
IF he even suspected the truth he'd
M~