Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-08-27
That UnIucky Note.

Inat nluckl NOtc.
Dinner ready, Ann ?" questioned Eva
Hammond, stepping from the dampness and
fog that was settling down on the October
night into the warmth Of the lighted ball,
aud stopping to stamp pair Of diminutve
gathered feet on a soft mat.
Not quite, Miss answered Ann, but
will be in about ten minutes. There are
some letters in the dining.room Tor you,
Miss" she added as Eva gave her pack
age Of books and papers to "carry to my
room"
Very well :" and leaving her hat and
shawl on the rack, Miss Hammond, who
was about eighteen, ard very petite and
girlish-looking for that, danced down the
stairs to the warm, cosy dining.room. On
the low mantel, in front of the bronze clock,
were three white envelopes. Eva gathered
them up, and drawing an easy chair toward
the glowing Goals in the CRATE, settled her
self comfortably to read them. Addie. "
she said, looking over the subscriptions, be-
fore she broke the seal. and-California,
yes, this is from Matte, and she stopped,
looked startled and puzzled as she held the
third one up toward the light. She seemed
dissatisfied with the scrutiny by aid of the
gas, and leaned forward to the redder glow
Of the fre-light. Nor did she seem better
pleased then, but forgetting the other let
ters, aud twisting this around, unopened, in
her small fingers, she fixed her eyes on the
tiickcring flames, with far off, absent air,
that made her look less child, much more
a woman. Suddenly fery fragment fell
through the bars of the CRATE close to her
foot. This aroused her, and she tore open
the envelope. and read these few lines,
written in graceful, delicate hand, like a
woman's:
Am in the city. If you desire to meet
me, am agreeable If SO, please state
time and place. No. II W---s street u
There was no date, no name, and Miss
/ Hammond looked even more puzzled over
the note than she bad over its envelope, yet
both appeared to recall some sad or un
pleasant memory, for some of the pink ausl
fadoa osi Of her fair cheeks. and there wal
panied look in the far-oh, truant eyes
Finally she slipped the unread letters il
her pocket, crushed the mysterious note il
her hand, and arose to leave the room
Meeting Ann on the threshold she ques.
toned
Is the Doctor home YETI"
just came in. Miss" answered the
servant
Tell him to commence dinner without
me. | will be down presently" and Eva
went tboughtfully up to her own room, aud
unlocked desk filled with papers aud let.
ters. She looked them over carefully
found nothing to reward her search, aud
closed the desk, leaning her arms upon il
deep in thought.
"Ah! know" she said" suddenly
crossing the room to a small book ease, and
drawing out small clasped book. 1t was
a collection of autographs, and Miss Ham
mond turned the pages, until she came tC
one on which was written only two lines
" 1t was August the third"
- And quite soft were the skies"
Then she compared them with the unsign
ed note for a moment, and ended with
throwing book and letter into the desk
beaving a sigh, and going down stairs tC
dinner At the table she was the sam,
bright, pretty little maiden who had dane
ed into that room some twenty minutes be
fore. 1t was evident, as Mis- Eva talket
animatedly to her father about politics
questioned tenderly about her invalid moth
er, and gaily described the newest fashion
to plain Quakerish cousin Mary who pre-
sided over the house, that she was the sun
shine and jewel of that quiet house.
Even the rarest Jewels do not sparkle il
, every light, and because Eva's moods wer
changing from the innocent, trusting child
the gay, loving girl, to the proud but be
witching woman, people caressed, petite
and admired her, but said she was tickle
Dinner was nearly over, when the rain com
/, menced to pour down in torrents. and Mis-
Hammond turned to her father with tn
question,
Must you 60 out again tonight, Doc
: tor ?"
Yes, my dear, am going to town t
hear a lecture. Anything ! can do fo
you?"
y Miss Eva's red lips seemed forming th
! word, "yes," but changed and said NOR
. decidedly than appeared necessary, " No I!
0 The Doctor went to his lecture. Cousi
Mary went up to Mrs. Hammond's room
and Eva, after looking out into the storm
, night, followed her. But Mrs. Harmon
was nervous, aud wanted TO sleep, an
| Cousin Mary had some letters to answer
so Eva said "good night to them an
,vont 20 bar ovvn caupotnm 0nca tncv
: she compared the lines in the book wit
I the mysterious note then threw herse
a down on a soft rug before the heater an
unused aloud.
" 1t must certainly be from Herbert,
and here she bit spitefully into broke
e match. OF course it's from him
I (givibg the match another spiteiul bite
e " But then why should he suppose | wonl
r care to see him, or why in the world woul
, he wish to sec me2 I'm sure he would nc
9 give me a chance to recognize him when W
{ met last but then the circumstance too
him so by surprise, and really it was not $
; long ago, and he had not acquired perfeC
2 control of himself Now he thinks he haI
How little men know themselves - an
; Miss Evas lips gave very contemptuor
s curl. He thinks he can show me no.
g how completely he has conquered himsel
Foolish fellow to tempt met" This tim
G Miss Hammond threw the bits Of mate
Q into the corner Of the room, very much O
e if she would like to cast the subject of he
8 thoughts after them. " can't see," sh
j added after moments pause, meanwhil
rapping one little foot upon the rug in
d very energetic manner, "why he shout
p seek meeting after so long silence an
y Two surely done everything in the worl
! to make him hate nc. But then l coul