Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-30


not going to have you spend your
money, and"
There's no danger of that I
haven't any to spend" She took the
letter from his hand. IT reckon Doug
lass Foray'll send it for me. He's in
the telegraph office and he'll do most
anything for me-"
NO" said Wilfred sternly.
Whats the reason he won't?" ask
ed the girl.
Because he won't"
What do you care 30 long as he
sends it?"
We'll. I do care and that's enough.
I'm not going to have you making eyes
at Dug Foray on my account"
oh we'll" said the girl. blushing.
"Of course II you feel that way about
It, L"
That's the way I feel all right.
But you won't give up the idea OF
helping me, will you. because feel
like that?'
No" answered Caroline softly. TIL
help you all can-about that letter.
do you mean?'
Yes, about that letter and about
other things. too"
"Give it to me-" said the girl, y
will go over It again"
She sat down at the desk. and as
she scanned 1t, Wilfred watched her
anxiously. To them Mrs. Varney en-
tered. Sc had an open letter In one
hand and a cap and belt In the other.
She stopped in the doorway and mo-
| toned for some one in the hall to fol
low her and an orderly entered the
room. His uniform was covered with
dust, his sunburned, grim face was
covered with sweat and dust also. He
stood in the doorway with the ease OF
a veteran soldier, that is without the
painful effort to be precise or formal
which marks the young aspirant for
military honors,
''Wilfred," said Mrs Varney, quick
ly approaching him. here is letter
from your father" She extended the
paper, "He sent It by his orderly"
Wilfred stepped closer to the elder
woman while Caroline slowly rose
from her chair, her eyes fixed on
Mrs. Varney.
What does he say. mother" asked
Wilfred.
HE says" answered his mother
With measured quietness, and control
ling herself with the greatest difficult
ty, "he tells me that-that you-are
-" in spite Of her tremendous effort.
| her voice failed her. Read 1t your
self. my boy" she whispered pitifully.
The letter was evidently exceeding.
ly brief. A moment put Wilfred in
possession of its contents. His
mother stood with head averted Car
oline stared with trembling lips, a
pale face, and heaving bosom. II
was to the orderly that Wilfred ad.
dressed himself
Il am to go back with you?"
Generals orders, SIR" answered
the soldier, saluting, ito enter the
service. God knows we need every.
body now"
when do we start?" asked Wilfred
eagerly, his face flushing as he real
lied that his fondest desire was now
To be gratifed.
"As soon as you are ready, sir
am waiting"
II am ready now" said Wilfred.
He turned to his mother. You won't
mind, mother" he said. his own lips
trembling little for the first time al
the sight Of her grief
Mrs. Varney shook her head. She
stepped nearer 20 him, smoothed the
hair back from his forehead, and
stretched out her arms to him as II
she fam would embrace him. but she
controlled herself and handed him the
cap and belt
Your brother" she said slowly
seems to be little better. He wants
you to take his cap and belt. l told
him your father had sent for you, and
1 knew you would wish to go to the
front at once"
Wilfred took the belt from hel
trembling hands. and buckled It about
him, His mother handed him the cap
. Howard says he can get another
bet when he wants 1t, ana you are
10 have his blankets. too ! will go
aud get them"
She turned and left the room. She
was nearly at the end OF her resisting
power, and but for the welcome d.
version incident to her departure, she
. could not have controlled herself
longer. The last one! One taken
one trembling, and now Wilfred