Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-23

NO, they sent another one"
Did you have much?'
Eyes, quite lot. We have all been
at the bandaEes, they say that that lie
what they need most. SO long as we
have any linen left we will work at
IT," She turned to go away, but some
thing in the elder woman's face and
manner awakened a slight suspicion
in her mind, She stopped. turned, and
came back. You look troubled, Mrs
Vaney" she began. do you want
anything?'
mo, nothing, thank you"
SIS there anything | can do or any
thing any of us can do?"
mot thing, my dear" answered
Mrs. Varney, trying to smile and fail
Ing dismally.
"Is II Howard" persisted the other,
anxious to be of service.
He seems to be little better re-
turned the woman.
"I am glad to hear it, and II there
is anything any Of us could do for you,
you would certainly tell mo-"
The elder woman nodded and Miss
Kittridge turned decisively away and
etepped brisl5ly toward the door. On
second thought, there was something
she could do. reflected Mrs. Varney,
and so she rose, stepped to the door
in turn, and called her back.
perhaps It would be just as we'll"
she said, "if any of the ladies want
to go to let them out the other way.
You can open the door into the back
hall. We're expecting some one here
on important business, you know, and
We
Il understand" said Miss Kit
fridge
And you will see to this?"
Certainly; trust me-"
THANK you"
Mrs. Varney turned with little
sigh OF relief and went back to her
place by the table, where her work
basket sat near to hand No woman
In Richmond was without work bas-
ket with work in it for any length OF
time during those days. The needle
was second only to the bayonet in the
support of the dying Confederacy /!
She glanced at It, but, sure evidence
of the tremendous strain under which
she labored, she made no motion to
take 1t up. Instead, after moment
Of reflection, she crossed to the wall
and pulled the bell rope. In a short
time, considering her bulk and I'M
u-iolhinoGC old MovfhD
the far door.
Did you ring. ma'am?" she asked.
Yes" was the answer. Has Miss
Caroline gone YETI"
No, ma'am," answered Martha
smilingly displaying a glorious set OF
white teeth. she's been out in dc
kitchen TO a vile"
ON the Kitchen"
"Has'm, All took her out dere. She
didn't want to be seed by no one"
And what is she doing there"
She's been mostly SEWN an be
habin mighty strange about sumfin {
eret deal oh de time. She's a-snifiin
an a-wepin', but All BELIEF she's git
tin ready to gwine home now"
VERY we'll" said Mrs. Varney, will
you please ask her to come in here G
moment before she goes"
'Gas'm. deed All will" said ole
Martha, turning and going out of tn,
door through which presently, Caro-
line herself appeared
She looked very demure and the ali
OF Innocence, partly natural but large
ly assumed, well became her ALTHOUGH
II did not deceive Mrs. Varney for
moment, or would not have deceived
her II she had had any special inter
est in Caroline's actions or emotions
The greater strain under which sh,
labored made tie girl Of small mo
ment; she would simply use her, tina
was all
Caroline, dear" she began immedi
ately, ARE you in great hurry to q
homer
No. ma'am, not particularly, espe
ctally If | can do anything for 20,
here" answered the girl readily, some
what surprised.
TT happens that you can" said Mrs
Varney; "lf you can stay here fey
minutes while 90 upstairs to Howar
1t will be a great help to me-"
You want me just to wait here, i
that it?" asked the girl, somewha
mystified.
Why on earth anybody should be re
quiyed TO wait in a vacant room wa
something which Caroline could no
understand, but Mrs. Varney's mex
words sought to explain it.
Il don't want you merely TO wal
here but-well, in fact, | don't wan
anybody to go out on the veranda, 0
into the garden. from the front of tn
house, under any circumstances"
Caroline's eyes opened in grea
amazement. She did not in the leas
understand what 1t was all about unit
Mrs. Varney explained further
you see Edith's there with"
on, yes" laughed the girl, at LAS
as she thought, comprehending, "yo
want them to be left alone. / kno'
= how that Is, whenever | am-whe
sOme-that is Of course ! will see t
it, she ended rather lamely and i
! great confusion.
Just few minutes, dear" sal
Mrs. Varney. smiling family at tn
p girls blushing cheeks and not thinl
, Ing It worth while to correct the mi
, apprehension. Il won't be long" Sh
! stepped across the room, but turned
the doorway for her final injunction
DO be careful won't you?"
} CAREFUL" said Caroline to hersel