Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-02-13

her than it had been before. At last they
arrived in town Louisa called IA cab at the
station and entered it, without telling the
tha men where to drive her to, rs the stran-
ger kept close by her side When she was
seated in the cab, he came to the door, told
the man to mount his box, and that he
would shut the door When the cabman
was on bis box, the stranger said in low,
earnest tones, and looking imploringly ut
louisa, And are we then to part thus =
Il suppose So, said Louisa, with seeming
indifference 'but you must allow me to
thank YOU again for the kind attention you
have shown me. shall always remember
it with gratitude. Pray tell the man to
drive on, as | am anxious to reach home as
soon NJ possible. Good morning.
The stranger looked full in her face,
| sighed, bowed, half held out his hand. but
seeing no corresponding movement on LOUISA
part. withdrew, it shut the door, and the
cab d. owe Off Louisa burst into tears.
If she had been asked why she wcpt, she
really did not know herself Presently the
cab stopped. You've forgot to tell me
| where to drive to, miss said the man.
10 No. l3 Upper Baker street, replied
! Louisa. And in a short time she reached
| her home She threw herself in her mo-
thers arms, and began sobbing. Mrs. Eli
| son saw in Il moment that something had
agitatcd her, and soon drew from her an
account of all that had passed.
'Ah my dear, said she, Il never knew
any good come Of practical jokes. You
are either sure to offend those on whom
they are played off, or else you get into
a hobble yourself. And this is certainly
your case. Of course this man was fiat
tered at the idea of your having so tender
| ly cherished his image in your bosom.
'Oh, mamma y exclaimed Louisa, when
saw the picture in his hand, and he the
exact image of it, looking so well satisfied,
| felt SO shocked that | could almost have
died
Il dare say you felt as if you could, my
dear child replied her mother But let
US hope there is an end of the matter.
when Jane and Lucy see me without
the picture said Louisa, they will fancy
the engagement is broken off. But mamma
suppose they should meet this gentleman
They will be sure to recognise him, and
then they may perhaps make some mis-
chief 'Oh What an awkward position
| have placed myself in = And Louisa
wept afresh.
lIcr mother consoled her, and advised
! her to 20 the next morning to Bertha
| Wagner, and tell her Of the untoward
accident that had happened about the pic
turc. And tell her. she continued, mot
to say anything to Arthur about it,.
Il will replied Louisa.
1t was fortunate for Louisa that the
Priors did not call that evening for she was
SO wtetchcdly out of spirits that she could
not have borne to speak about the picture.
Arthur and Ernest Mannheim observed her
depression of spirits, but attributed it to
the fright she had experienced on account
of the accident that happened on the rail
way, which Mrs. Ellison had informed
them Of.
Ernest Mannheim was to take leave OF
| England on the morrow, and he too felt
rather dull. lie would like to prolong his
stay, hut his father had not been well lately
and had written to beg he would return
TO his siathcrland' as soon as possible. 81
he hlde Louisa and Mrs. Ellison adicu ut
night. rs he was to start early IN the morn
ing. Arthur intenled to accompany him
some part of the way and felt sorry at
the idea of losing his young friend.
| The next morning about twelve o clock,
! Berth Wagner was seated in her studio,
when gentleman desired to see her. Sup
posing il to be for another miniature to he
painted, she was delighted at her prospect
| cf success, and received her visitor with res
pectlul loliteness.
Miss Wagner, | presume ! said the
gentleman. at whom Bertha looked in
establishment She recognised his features
perfectly, but could not tell where she had
seen him.
Il am Miss Wagner she replied.
This portrait,' said the gentleman, taking
out of hiHpocket the identical picture she
had lent Louisa, and which was the exact
resemblance of himself, was in your poses
sion until short time ago. May ask
whose portrait you imagine it to be and l'
held it out to her.
At the sight of the picture with the broad
black ribbon hanging to it, Bertha was pc
trifcd. The original stood before her III life
and Bertha's German descent made hei
imagine thousand horrid fancies. She
thought of the wild legends of her father I
country and could almost believe in some
dabolical agency having brought such re
scmblance of the picture before her. She
trembled, turned pale, and then burst into
tears.
Pray do not distress yourself so,' sal,
the gentleman in very kind tones. but ia
vor me by answering my question as soon al
you are able. And he placed the miniature
on the table, and seemed waiting very pa
tiently for Bertha to speak.
Bertha now recovered Hersell, anu WoIl
dering hoU the portrait could have passe'
; from Louisl's hands into those of its exac
semblance, replied. That miniature, sir
is the portrait of Mr.. Archibald Hunter
"a Scotch gentleman, who died nearly twcnt
= years ago, and who never paid for the por
trait ,
Indeed ! said the gentleman drily
then may | inquire if you happen to hav
in your possession the portrait OF Capta
Edgar Selby, of the Royal Navy =
: Oh yes, replied Bertha, would yo'
like to see it y
Very much, indeed replied the stran
ger, if you will favor me with the sigh
flt.'
= Bertha went hastily to the drawer in whic
the portraits were and brought out miniG
ture. which she placed in the stranger
= hands, directing his attention to the env'
, lope, on which was written, Captain Edga
Selby, Il. n Left by Mrs, Chatterton
be remOunted.
: This is certainly very odd circun
7 stance, said the stranger and unfolding tt
y paper, he saw the likeness of man abot
i sixty, with venerable white hair, broad re
) face, and a nose, which in spite of I'll
, painters art, looked like n snub. Do 20
Il find much resemblance between me and tn
I'i'i"ib' IN' fOiti'i5 w w HliAS "9N~N -
" stranger, with a merry look,
> 8 Is it possible that y0u can be Captai
10 Sclby = asked Bertha, now more wonde
C struck than before.
N . | am that individual replied the gentl
man, and can furnish you with proofs
"a my identity if you require them
Ie There is no need OF that, said Bertha
.e tie likeness speaks for itself. The pi
Ie lures must have been placed in the wroT
envelopes, But, good heavens y exclaim
she, how did this portrait come into yo
possession .
ID wish to know particularly ho0 it we
,e out of yours > said Captain Selby, with
y sly smile.
E Il will tell you the exact truth, sir, sa
IN Bertha, who saw that by some strange col
W bination of events the picture had found
n way from Louisa to the captain. "A We
E.,. ,.Hia l.gl Ia -.