Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-09-24

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were the young husband and his bride,
IN white. They had spoken together in
rapid undertones while the other trans.
actions were carried on. Now, draw
ing. from her handbag crisp roll, Mrs.
holm held out her husbands ransom
to Charles Captain. He took the roll,
| but
Il am extremely sorry 10 hear" said
he, of your recent misfortunes."
i have nothing" she said despairing-
ly. "A little sum of ten pounds or SO
in my pocket, and-how am / to get
him away with thate God help me
A flush swept slowly up over Cap
talns face. He stood considering theits
with little wistful irony.
You do not suppose that in the cir
cumstances | wish to hold you to our
agreement"
He returned the notes.
No mol" cried Holm. starting.
No MOI" she stammered, but love-
ly Joy and relief dawned in her eyes.
Yes Yes" said Captain, his per-
ennptoriness tempered by a curious soft
ness as he looked at her.
Il have heard so much of you--in
white. Well, why should l be ashamed
! of sentiment | am in love-and She
wears white" He laughed at himself.
ne opened the door for them.
Good luckl"
They left him. He collected the bank
notes on the table-eighty thousand.
pounds-locked the room, found, nearer
Victoria, taxicab, and was driven to
kmperor's Gate.
Anna Stuart sat upon her green
divan. Her gown was white. and It
chung around her; her little satin shoes
were white; the darkness of her hair
made mystery against dimly Lit back
ground. She raised first one eyebrow
inquiringly, then the other in little
subtle way she had, smiled with her
eyes-they being more unmanageable
than her lips-and asked:
i suppose you have come with some
news Charles p
Il have come with the news I PROM
ised your majesty"
The incorrigiblc laugh was in his eyst
as he gave her the title. The triumph
that he kenw so we'll burned in hers.
Tell me the whole story instantly"
She leaned forward, quivering and
flashing, to hear. The young man.
standing before her, told it with some
III diildllC pONCI, dlIu Will, al VIC SlOScy \
a certain reservation.
Your majesty is pleased2"
my good Chafles. am pleased witk
you. And the money, OF course, is to
the amount we specified"
He now withdrew the certain reser-
walton.
forty thousand from Dencsanton, forty
Il a..
bis breast.
A little light dropped out of her face.
1T was to have been a hundred thou
thousand for-I do not remember
names--the other mani"
He told her with extreme brevity,
and respect tinged with irony for her
appetite.
She sat swaying a little, and grew
pale.
You betrayed my trustl" she said.
very slowly. you have defrauded my
war chest OF twenty thousand pounds
What do | care for this woman and her
affarsi"
where is your hearth" he said soft
ly, and he looked at her dangerously.
She rose, walked the floor, and burst
out at him in a torrent of anger.
Heart Heart l have no hearth
am all head Who are your Scum
hat | took from the gates Of Portland
prison, TO whom l gave money to live
upon You take my commissions-you
play ME false? How do l know what
you have done with twenty thousand
pounds? 1t may be you were not sat-
ished with your rate Of commission.
have just your word for it that you
gave il back Your word-a criminals
A criminal and false servant
The young man went 10 her as she
paced about, took both her wrists in
one hand gripped a fold of her bodice.
too, where it tluttere|, above her heaving
breast, SO that both the wrists were held
back there. He looked at her and smiled
a little. Again silence fell between
them. He led her over 10 small table
covered with silver bric-a-brac. This
he swept aside with his free
hand SO that it fell with tiny crashes
upon the floor. and the table top was
bare. The table was beautiful No
He laid down eighty thousand
pounds in notes upon it, took out his
match box, by deft manipulation struck
4 match and lighted the fire. He held
Ter there 10 watch. Not sound
3assed between them till the last fame
lied out.
You look pale" he said, releasing
Ter. sit down"
She nearly fell upon the divan. He
vent slowly to the door.
Charles" he heard behind HIM
where are you going"
He looked round, without comine
Jack
with your majesty's permission,
hink 10 America for few weeks"
''To-America? But-but may
want you here"
Il do not think" said Mr.. Captain,
that ] am in favor at court. shall
% to America for short time"
He reached the door.
Charles" he heard again behind
i'm.
He looked round, and she had risen,
nd he saw now just woman in white
ovely and appealing.
Charles, was. no doubt, hasty. I
1ish you to sit down and talk ovef
our plans with me. | am sure that I
,as hasty. You-you-are IA gooe
ervant | may not have been-right.S
But your majesty cali do no wrong,s
aid he, and he left her lightly.
The white girl wept upon the greeA
ivan.
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