The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-29

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Pimico--two rooms opening into each
other. | told the woman that | would sit
| down and write Il letter, She knew me
| well, as | had frequently visited Thrap-
| stow, and she left me to myself Then
| began TO overhaul everything, to try to
| find out some clcw to his whereabouts. A
| few letters were on the chimney-pece; they
were only circulars for tradesmen. In the
| fireplace was considerable quantity of
charred finder lie had evidently been
burning papers, recently, and quantity
of them. | turned the finder carefully
| over, spreading 1t out upon n newspaper /
found nothing legiblc except one little
scrap of paper, which the fire had not al
together reduced to powder, on which |
saw the name Isabel shining with metallic
lustcr. Then ! went to the bedroom and
searched that. Here, too were evident
preparations for flight; coats and other
| garments thrown hastily into cupboards,
boxes turned out, an odd glove or two w.
ing upon the dressng-table. | carefully
searched all the pockets for letters or other
! documents, but | found nothing. The
keys were left in all the receptables an
instance of Charles thoughtfulness for
others, in the midst of his rascalty.
Lying upon the wash-stand was card,
which was blank upon one side, but on the
other had the name of photographer
printed upon it. The card was wet as il
it had been soaked in water and near the
upper end Of it was round, irregular cut,
which did not quite penetrate the card
1t had evidently once had photograph
fastened on it accordingly, the card had
been vetted, to facilitate the removal of
the photograph, whilst the face of the
photograph had evidently been cut out, in
nrflpr IN ,,lngg IL IL, "a ln,.ln, a,
similar
1t struck me at once that the photograph
about which II man on the eve of flight
would take so much trouble must be of
person very dear to him; probably his
sweetheart. Although had been intimate
with ThrapstOw, he had always been very
reserved as to his own friends and associ-
atcs. and | had no clcw to guide me to any
OF them, except the photographers card
Re-entcring my cab, | drove on to the
photographers. There was no number or
distinguishing mark upon the card, and the
chances seemed faint that he would be able
to tell me anything about it. Indeed. at
first, when the man found that | wasn't
customer, he seemed little inclined to
trouble himself about the matter. The
promise of a fee, however made Inn more
reasonable, and he offered to let me see his
books that | might search for the name |
wanted to find. But then didn't know
the name | wanted to find. 1t was unlikely
that the photograph had been done for
Thrastow; if it had, there would probably
appear in the books only the useless record
of his address, already known to me. Then
the man shook his head. If didn't know
the name, it was no use looking; the card
was nothing, he said he sent hundreds out
every month What information could he
possibly give me Then tried to describe
the personal appearance OF Thrapstow. But
again he shook his head. If he hadn't
taken his likeness, he wouldn't be likely to
remember him hardly even then, so many
people passed through his hands.
All this time he had been carelessly hold
ing the card in his fingers. CHANGING at it
now and then, and suddenly an idea seem
ed to strike him. "Stop u Bit" he said.
and went into his dark chamber, and pre-
sently emerged smelling strongly of chcm-
calls. Look here" he said triumphantly.
looked, and saw very faint, ghostly i'm
preston of Il photograph. ITS printed
itself through said the man-''thcy will
somclimes-and I've brought it to light
Yes, | know the original of that" Again
he divcd into closet and brought out a
negative with Il number and label to it.
Then he turned to his book and wrote
down an address for me-NIrs. Maidmont,
Larkspur road, Noting hill
Away ! went to Larkspur road. Mrs.
Maidmonts house was a small, comfortable
residence, with bright windows, verandas
gorgeous Wlndow-boXes and striped sun
blinds. Mrs. Maidmont was at home, said
very neat, pretty-looking maid and |
sent IN my card, with message: "On
most important business" The maid came
back to say that her mistress did not re-
cognize the name, but would walk in? |
was shown into pretty drawing-room on
the first floor. An elderly lady rose to
greet me with old-fashioned courtesy, at
the same time with Il good deal of uneasy
curiosity visible in her face. This was not
the original of the photograph, who was a
young ard charming girl.
madame" | said rapidly. II believe
that my friend, Charles Thrapstow, is well
known to you; now, it is of the utmost i'm
portance that | should ascertain where he
is at this moment
stay said the lady. You are labor
ing under complete mistake; | know
nothing whatever Of the gentleman whose
name you mentions name | never heard
before.
Was she tlcceiying me? did not think
so.
perhaps Miss Maidmont may know |
said eagerly.
Miss Maidmont is not likely to have
formed any acquaintance without her
mothers knowledge" said Mrs. Maidmont
with dignity. There seemed to be no alter
native but for me to retreat with apologies
Il am very busy, you see" went on the
old lady, with wave of the hand and in
deed the room, now | looked about me, |
saw to be strewed with preparations for
some festive event, ball perhaps, or,
from wreath of orange blossoms that |
saw peeping out of milliner's box, more
likely wedding. | was about to take my
departure reluctantly, when a young girl, a
charming young girl, bounded into the
room; she was the original of the photo
graph.
''Oh, mamma !" she cried. there's a let
ter from poor Charlie to say he cant DOS
sibly come here, tonight! Isn't it pro
vollng? And want to consult him about
SO many things"
"Well my dear Isabel" said the old lady
placidly, you'll have enough Of his com
pany after tomorrow" From which |
judged that my surmisc as to the wedding
was correct, and that Charlie was the bride
groom elect
by the way she went on, there's
gentleman, lsabcl VINO insists that we
know Mr.. Challcs-l forget the name
now
'1hrapstow," interjccted.
"A Mr.. Charles Thrapstow You know
Of no such person, Bella?"
Il know of no Mr.. Charles but Charles
Tempest" said Isabel.
at is singular, too, that the initials of
orr friends be the same. May ask if you
have given your portrait, taken 10y Blubore
of Kcnsington"-
Upon my word, said Mrs Maidmont
rising, aud sounding the bell, this is
rather to much from a total stranger. We
don't know your friend, and we don't
know yon. Susan, show this gentleman
out.
'Ant gentleman" | cried, with blue
eyes, and yellow beard and mustachc, and
I'm, .l,