Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-01-28

dow, looking out across the wheatfeld
which divided US from the sea. Although
she had done her best to hide 1t, / felt
pretty certain that she had been crying
nearly all day long.
"If you are not careful. Mrs. vinton.
you will make yourself ILL.,"
with this ltemark I broke a silence
which was becoming almost painful She
started and her cheeks were flushed.
"why do you say thatT' she asked,
with startled eyes.
Because II is so obvious. wonder II
you'll forgive me If say something7 Do
you know that each Of us has been keep
ing a secret from the other?"
What do you meanT' Her surprise
seemed to increase.
1.-The secret I have kept from you is
that have the gift of seeing what people
say by merely watching their lips. even II
they are speaking to themselves"
IT don't understand How can you pos
sibly DO thatT' Her eyes seemed to grow
larger; they were very pretty eyes.
THE secret you have peen keeping from
me is that your husband is still alive"
had done It then. She got of her chair
with quite a jump.
Miss Lee!'
What she actually did was to collapse
in sort Of heap on to the floor. pillow
her head on the seat of the chair on
which she had been sitting, and burst
into tears. 1t was my turn to be startled.
Kneeling beside her on the floor. l put
my hands on her shoulders. whispering:
II am so sorry to have intruded on your
sufferngs. but could not help it"
down her cheeks.
IT am ashamed Of myself. Miss Lee.
suppose some one ha- been telling you
something?"
Not a word: all know you have told
me yourself"
explained to her how that was. Her
tears ceased to fall; the expression on
her face was like a note of exclamation.
You see. it is because Of this gift
have Of reading peoples most secret
houghts-sometimes. as in your case,
even against my will-that l thought
might he OF some little help to you"
II don't see how you can be Of help to
me- It's quite true, as you say. that my
husband liz alive: but he might as we'll be
dead, because he's in prison.
1T beg your pardon. Mrs. Vinton: I did
not guess II was that way. Please for
give me. Still. perhaps I can be Of help
to YOU
My husband was sentenced to fourteen
years penal servitude; he has served
three. In those circumstances don't see
what help you. n perfect stranger. can
be to me-"
IT might at least be able to send you
some dodgers"
DO you think people will come and
lodge with me when they know who I
ann don't suppose any one knows the
| whole truth about me. have done my
best to hide It but even as it Is they shun
me as II were the plague"
I was at loss for things TO say. the
situation being one for which was so ut
terly unprepared. Presently she gave me
un1ooked-for help. while infiicting on me
what was very like snub.
This is subject Miss Lee, on which
you have forced my confidence-I am not
sure quite fairly. Whether you go or
stay, on ono point there must be no mis-
understanding: 1t is a subject on which
you must never speak to me again But
| before quitting 1 for ever / should like
to make myself clear to you on one mat
ter: the Jury found him guilty. the judge
sent him to prison for fourteen years, tho
world thinks that punishment we'll mer-
ited-but know that my husband 10 in
nocent."
She turned to leave the room, but some
| thing made it impossible for me to let her
go.
"Mrs. Vinton! One moment, please!
Don't you soc that If your husband Is in
nocent that is Just the point on which !
might be able to help your
| Again her manner was not encouraging.
Help me? Your How can you help
me7'
II have sufficient confidence in your
| Judgment. Mrs. Vinton-"
MY name is not Vinton: nor IL my hus-
| bands -his name is George Young"
suppose 1t was because I started that che
added: Now you will probably adopt a
different tone: in common with all the
world, you held my husband to be guilty.
II know nothing either of your hus-
bands Innocence or guilt. Nearly fou,
years ago left England for long tour
around the world. Your husbands tria
must have taken place while was away. y
| II saw you stat when said my hus
bands name was George Young II yor
did not know It, why start az you didT'
| Her tone was suspicious. even resentful
You have heard how the mouse helped
the lion." ] said. II honestly think 1t l!
within the range Of possibility that
may be able to help you You say YOU
husbands name is George Young. Tel
me about him. With what was h
charged?'
Abandoning her intention of quittini
the room. she had sunk upon chair
Her words iimped little.
my husband was managing clerk 4
fund OF rather more than twenty thous
and pounds of which they were custo
dians when the trustees wanted the mon
ey It was gone. They charged George witt
taking It. Other charges were mad
against him In the course Of the trial
but It was on that charge that he va
found guilty and sentenced to fourteen
years penal servitude."
What was the name of the Arm b.
which your husband was employer
Hutton. Hutton and Walker. Youn
Mr.. Hutton had died eone time befor
the discoveries wero made. The firm con
sisted Of old Mr.. Hutton. the senior part
ner. and Mr.. Walker
] WAS his name Thomas Walker. an
did Mr.. Hutton sometimes call him Tom
You know the frm-or DO you kno'
. Tom Walker His name was Tom.