Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-03-20
CHAPTER XVII.
Wilfred Plays the Man,

Wilfred Plays the Man.
A sharp contrast to the noise out
side was presented by the quiet OF the
women. in view of the attack and the
movements OF the boys ana the ola
men, had separated sooner than they
had intended and had gone their sew
eral ways. Old Jonas, frightened to
death, remained locked up in the
rolsford's men. Martha was upstairs
~ Howard's room, making ready to
vatch over him during the night
Caroline Milford had not gone home.
She had sent word that she intended
to pass the night at the Varney house.
Somehow she thought they seemed to
need her. She was standing by one of
the long front windows in the draw
ing-room, now a scene Of much disor-
der because OF the recent struggle.
Caroline stared out OF the window
at the flashes of light. She listened,
with heaving breast and throbbing
heart, to the roar of the cannon and
both many times lately, but now it
was different, for Wilfred was there
Mrs. Varney came upon her with her
hand pressed against her breast, her
face white and staring, tears trimming
her eyes, but, as usual, Mrs. Varney
was SO engrossed with her own ire.
mendous troubles that she had little
thought for the girl.
Caroline" she began anxiously
tell me what happened. Edith won't
speak TO me. She has locked herself
up in her room. What was it? Where
has she been? What"
"She was at the telegraph office,
answered Caroline in low voice.
What did she do there? What hap
pened there?"
Il am not sure"
But try to tell me, dear"
II would If could. Mrs. Varney, but
| was afraid and ran out and waited
for her in the hall. The rest of them
The girl broke off as the deep tones
Of the city bells changed sharply above
The diapason of artillery.
It's the alarm bell" said Mrs. Var
ney.
Yes" said Caroline. they are call
Ing out the last reserves"
Yes; bark to the cannonading
Isn't it awful?" returned Mrs. Varney
"They must be making a terrible at
tack tonight. Lieutenant Maxwell was
right; that quiet spell was signal
There goes another battery Of ar
tillery," said Caroline, staring through
the window. "A man told us tha
they were sending them ali over tc
Cemetery Hill. That's where the fight
ing is. Cemetery Hill"
General Varneys division is to the
right Of that position, or was the las
time l heard from him." said Mrs
Varney anxiously.
Il am afraid they are going to hav,
bad time of it tonight" said Caro-
line, drawing the curtains and turnin,
away from the window.
I'm afraid So" was the rejoinder
Now, try to think, dear who was a
the telegraph office? Can't you tel
me something that occurred that will
explain Edith's silence? She look
ike death, and.
81 can't tell you anything excep
that they arrested Mr.. Arrelsford."
"Mr. Arrelsford! You don't meal
that?"
Eyes, do" answered Caroline
General Randolph went ant
brought him there, because the!
wouldn't send my telegram-he was il
fearful temper"
But Edith? Can't you tell me VIVA
she did?"
II can't, Mrs. Varney for I don
know. l waited for her in the hall
and when she came out she couldn'
speak, Then we hurried home.
@ tried to get her to tell me, but sh
wouldn't say word except that he
heart was broken, and that's all
know, Mrs. Varney, truly, truly"
II believe you, my dear. know yo'
would tell me IL you could"
II certainly would, for love-"
There was a loud ring at the from
door. 1t was evidently unlocked, fol
WlluouI WditiH6 iOl I'LL dllsW tT, IL wa
thrown open roughly. and through tn
hall and into the drawing-room stake
Mr.. ArTelsford. He was wildly excited
evidently in tremendous hurry, an
utterly oblivious to manners or any
thing else. He had been checked an
thwarted so many times that he wa
in a bad temper for anything
"Is your daughter in the house?" h
: began roughly, without any turtle
: preliminaries or salutation. withou
even removing his hat.
ANSWER" he said harshly.
She bowed her head in the affirms
tive, scarcely able to speak In her II
dignation at his manner and bearing
Il wish To see her"
: IT don't believe she will care 10 r,
ceive you at present." returned he
mothor quietly.
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