Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-10-04
The Leisure Hour.

ny HOPE EVERLETH.

ny HOPE EVERLETH.
Thomas had the morning papers by his
masters plate, and stood moment await
ing further orders.
"That will do" said Mr. Tartufie, un-
folding one. "By the way" he continued,
as Thomas turned to leave the room, "who
is living in Swans house? l see it is occu
pied"
"Some people from the East, sir. A Mr..
Earnest Simpson and his wife and mother.
lie is just married l believe"
"His mother, did you say?" queried Mr..
Tartufe, a shade crossing his face.
"Yes, sir. She's widow lady, and an
uncommon fine looking woman, too"
VERY well. That will do" rejoined his
master hastily. His papers lay untouched
by his side, and he applied himself to his
break fast with an air of abstraction unusu-
al to him. At length he pushed aside his
plate, and walked to the window.
"Strange," he muttered, that should
come home TO find them here of all places
in the world. l knew this morning that
that young fellow must be in some way
connected with Earnest Simpson. The
likeness is unmistakabe. There comes a
woman, now; wonder if it can be his
mother"
A large woman with a fresh colored face
and with bundle under her arm entered
the gate and hurried up the walk with the
air of one very much at home.
"Yes, 1t must be she yet who would
have believed that Sophie Martyr would
ever become such great, blowsy creature.
Twenty-Five years work great changes"
Tho fact was it was Mrs. Simpson dress
maker; but how was Mr.. TartufIe to know
that. For five years he had been travelling
in the old world after a fashion of his own;
spending two weeks in Paris and as many
months in Sweden. Now letter was re-
ceived from him dated Orkney Isles, then
from Siberia, few months later from Chi
ma. Whenever the mood seized him, of
he started, stopping just when and where
the fancy took him. Of course it cost him
pretty fortune, but he had the fortune to
spend and as lie was bachelor with no
near relatives it was no ones concern how
he spent it except his own. He became
Ii red Of it at last and one morning as he
stood watching the gilded domes and spires
Of the Kremlin glittering in theb right sun,
he exclaimed: ave had enough of this
I'm going homer And home he did go,
in the next steamer.
But after a day or two be became discon-
tented again. Five years had wrought
great changes. OF his old friends and as.
sociates some were dead, others moved a.
way and the rest were so immersed in
business, 50 interested in their own partic-
IL lar pursuits, that they had little time OF
thought TO spare for him. A grasp Of Tho
an invitation to "come over and call, com
pri sed his welcome to his native land.
"Tis like coming back from the dead Il
find ones place filled and ones self forgot
ten," he said sadly. And now to all tn,
rest was added the unweleome discovery
that the wife and son of Earnest Simpson
the man who had done him cruel wron.
and marred his whole life, were living mex
door to him. Some time he stood at tn,
window drumming softly upon the pant
and looking idly out; suddenly his fac,
lighted up.
"Thats an idea; I'll do it. Forsyth will
jump at the chance, I've no doubt"
Whatever the idea was he Immediately
proceeded to put it into execution. A few
minutes later he left tho house and took
his way down town.
"Why, good morning, Tartuffe. Glad tC
see you sit down; IN be at leisure in q
few minutes"
When the busy lawyer was at last able tc
pay some attention to his visitor, Mr.. Tart
uffe began without preliminary. Forsyth
have been thinking over what you sale
yesterday, and have a proposition to make
Suppose we make an exchange?"
snake an exchange? ?" repeated the puz
zled lawyer.
"Yes; you take my house and TAX
yours for Il year. Your family are desir
Gus of coming to the city, and / want t,
leave it. Take the houses as they stand /
will save the trouble of moving"
"Well," unused Mr.. Forsyth, chats al
idea certainly, and it strikes me fayorably
but must consult my wife first, of course
Why do you wish to leave the city, though
You've just got here. Your wandering lif
as spoiled you you ought to get marriet
and settle down quietly"
"Get married." repeated the other witt
an expression of scorn. "What woman
would have an old man like me except 70
his money ?"
"Old man, indeed ~ exclaimed Mr. For
sytb. "Why you are just in the prime o
life, and there isn't young man in tn,
city who can boast a more splendid phys
ique. Besides, you need not marry mer
school girl, you know. / know just tn
woman for you; about your own age
widow with one son but he is married an,
out of the way. Say the word and I'll max
you acquainted"
"I hate widows" said Mr. Tartuhe will
such an air that Mr.. Forsyth dropped tn
subject then and there.
"Tho idea of my marrying widow,
calculated Mr.. Tartufie in silent wrath a
he took his way homeward. As he dc
scended the steps the red faced dress max
or seated by the window in Mrs. Simpson