Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-02-24

and cauiioniug each other, the two parted for
the night.
CHAPTER II.
No soonor was Nellie in her own room than
She burst into a hearty laugh-saying to her
self; have planned that nicely So my
big brother Will has opened e correspondence
with the charming MAie Clayton lie tells
me that he is a rising young lawyer of Hart
torn-a man Of wealth-and unmarried =
Why, my dear brother, what combination
Of favorable circumstances He requests
Miss Millie to answer his letter as soon as
possible, and signs himself Charley Hammond.
Well, | shall make it possible to write very
soon. / will continue to write to viii every
week, as usual and when | write to him as
Charley Hammond, Rose must copy my let
tcrs. II was only yesterday that received
a letter from him asking me if ! knew two
ladies by the name Of Clayton. OF course,
know nothing about any such persons. If
he had asked me if / knew a Miss Nellie
Hendrick, ! might have satisfied his curios-
ty. | will carry this joke along, and show
this grand brother of mine that his harum
searum sister, as he calls me, can outwit him
must contrive to get father out Of the Of.
fec now and then, so that can get the let
ters. ! will carry on the correspondence un-
til he asks for an interview then will dis
guise myself and meet him. and she clapped
her hands with anticipated pleasure. " But
not a word Of this to Rose, for she would tell
him and then, alas for the masquerade -
declaration of love, &c"
The next day letter was written, copied
and forwarded to Charley Hammond, Esq.
II is needless to speak of the many letters
which they succeeded in getting in the way
above mentioned--of the meeting Of the two
girls-and the numerous laughs at the ex-
pense Of their correspondents The curiosi-
ty Of the village people had not been salts
fed, as the letters had never been called for
One day in Oct. Mr.. Hendrick informed his
family that he should be obliged to leave
home for few days on account of business,
and that Nellie must stay in the Office Just
before taking his departure he told Nellie to
send that package Of Clayton letters to the
" dead letter office !" he had intended to send
them before, but they had been overlooked.
On hearing this, Nellie laughed in her sleeve,
as she told Rose and it was not long before
the package Of supposed letters were on the
way to their destination, which, by the way,
was Rose Winters room. The letters were
placed in their proper envelopes, tied up, and
laid away. Before her fathers return, she
had secured post office box sS she labeled
it Mr.. A. G. This was the way she covered
her roguery.
Rose and Nellie retained but few of their
correspondents these they informed of the
change in their address, and all their letters
were directed to the same box The errand
boy from the hotel was regularly sent for the
letters; and in this way the correspondence
was carried on through the fall winter, and
into the spring. By this time, Charley Ham
mond was fairly in love with his unknown cor.
respondent. Her letters were filed, alterna-
tely, with wit and wisdom and now anxi-
ously looked for every week
Nellie was in her glory one afternoon,
when she received letter from him urging
her to grant him an interview Her reply
was soon on its way-she would meet him
the next Wednesday evening, at seven O'Clock,
at the corner of Main and Elm streets--she
would wear blue veil, and when she arrived
at the place designated, she would raise it,
so that he might recognize her in the dusk.
Wednesday morning came and Mr.. aud
Mrs Hendrick were much surprised at the
arrival of their son, who visited them only
once in two months and Nellie was, to all
appearances, as much surprised as they.
{" Why, Willie why didn't you let me
know you were coming? You did not even
mention it in your last letter." said Nellie,
with an injured expression upon her coun-
tenance.
wanted to surprise you, sis. But, real
ly, Nell, you are not so bad looking after all
| shouldn't be bit surprised if you were the
belle of the village"
There, my good looking brother, take
that for your impudence," )" and she boxed hi:
ears until he begged for mercy
"Come, Nell, be good and sit down here--l
want to tell you something"
She took her place beside him; and he told
of his correspondence with young lady Of
that place, and Of his appointed meeting that
evening. He showed her letter, and asked
her if she recognized the writing and the
little miss who was very demure, just then
examined the writing closely remarking-
1t seems as though had seen this writing
before presume l have seen it in tho
Office"
Here they were interrupted by the entrance
of their mother, and the subject was not men
toned again.
That evening, as soon as Willie had lef
the house, Nellie took her way TO the houst
of her friend, where she was soon made an.
other person by suit of Roses clothes
They had together planned the meeting. Sh,
was to conduct Charley Hammond to Roses
home, and then become herself again. Ros,
could not see why she need disguise herself
when her correspondent was a stranger bu
Nellie would have her own way.
AT seven o'clock, blue veil was raiseC
and dropped again, and a gentleman steppeC
forward" And this is Mile, said he, as h
placed her hand in his arm. Yes" was he
only answer. They walked slowly along th'
street toward Mr.. Winters hotel The gen
tleman talked on various topics but hi
companion was very silent, only answering il
monosyllables Finally, he said, " Milie, d
you believe what / have written your d.
you believe that have learned to love IN,
little correspondent 7 And If she can Low
me after seeing me, l shall be happy to max
her my wife" The little hand trembled
but there was 20 reply. Thinking this ia
vorable omen, he continued-"l have toll
YOU all about myself in my letters. / know
| can make you happy. Can you not answe
me now Z" "No," came from under the blu
veil They were now at the hotel. "Thi
Il