Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-11-12

think so.
perhaps Miss Maidmont may know"
l 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 al
Tentative but for me to retreat with apollo
gies.
81 am very busy you see," went on the
old lady, with wave OF her hand and
indeed the room, now [ looked around me,
L saw to be strewed with preparations for
some festive event, ball. perhaps, or,
from wreath of orange blossoms that |
saw peeping out of a milliner's box, more
likely a wedding. | Twas about to take my
departure reluctantly, when young girl,
bounded into tho room; she was the origi-
nal of the photograph.
90, mamma ~ she cried, here's let
ter from poor Charlie to say he can't pos
sibly come here tonight. Isn't it provok-
ing? And l want to consult him about
so many things"
Well, my dear Isabel said the old
lady placdly, "you'll have enough of his
company after tomorrow" From which
| judged that my surmise as to the we'd
ding was correct, and that Charlie was the
bridegroom-e
BY the way" she went on" here's
gentleman, Isabel, who insists that We know
MIR. Charles-I forget the name now"
Thrapst ow," interjected.
A Mr.. Charles Thrapstow. You know
of no such person, Bell ?'
a know of no Mr. Charles, but Charles
Tempest" said Isabel.
1t is singular, too, that the initials of
our friends should be the same. May |
ask if you have given your portrait, taken
by Babore of Kensngton-'
Upon my word said Mrs Maidmont.
rising and sounding the bell, " this is rath
er too much from a total stranger. We
don't know your friend, and we don't know
you. Susan, show this gentleman out"
" But gentleman" | cried, " with blue
eyes, and yellow beard and moustache, and
turned-up nose"
| " No more ~ cried Mrs Maidmont.
= Am L to repeat once more, we know
nothing about him ?"
What could | do under these circum-
stances but AXE my leave ? In Susan how
ever, found an unexpected ally She had
heard my parting words OF description, and
she turned to me as we were descending the
stairs, and said: Miss lsabel's young
man is exactly like that" Half-a-crown
and few Establishments, which, under the
circumstances, | think even my worthy
spouse would have condoned, put me in
to possession Of the facts.
Miss Maidmont was really going to be
married tomorrow morning at St. Spike
nard's Church to a MIR. Charles Tempest, "a
very good-looking young man, whom they
had not known long, but who seemed to be
very well off. My description of my friend
Tailed exactly with Susan's of the BRIDE
groom but the coincidence might be mere
ly accidental
Had Miss Maidmont 4 photograph OF
her lover?" | asked
She had, in her own room, it seemed
Susan couldn't get at it now without sus-
picion but she promised to secure it, and
bring it with her, if | would meet her at
nine o'clock at the corner of the street.
was punctual to my tryst and at nine
Susan made her appearance with a morocco
case containing an excellent likeness of my
friend, Charles Thrapstow, massive pin
with topaz in it, and all.
Now, what was to be done? Should | 90
to Mrs. Maidmont, and tell her how she
was deceived in her daughters lover I?
That would have been the way best adapt
ed to spare the feelings of the Madmonts
but would it bring back the five thousand
pounds thought not
Miss Maidmont," [ soliloquized, " will
find some way to warn her lover. Ever
robbing bank may not embtter CIR
against her sweetheart, and no doubt she's
lover head and ears in love with Charlie
No, determined on different plan.
rose early next morning, dressed my,
self with care, put on pair of pale prlm
rose gloves, donned my newest beaver, anc
took cab to St Spikenard's, Noting Hi
| The bells were janging merrily as
alighted at the church-door ; a small CROWD
had already gathered on the pavement
drawn together by their keen foresight o
coming excitement characteristic of the hu
man species. " Friend of the bride
groom" [ whispered to the verger, and
was forthwith shown into the vestry. Tht
clergyman was there already, and shook
hands with me in vague kind of way.
Mot the bridegroom ?" he said in a
= mild interrogative manner. told him thai
was only one of his friends, and we stooC
| looking at each other in a comatose kline
, of way, till little confusion at the vestry
door broke the spell. "Here he comes !.
e whispered some one ; and the next momen
= there appeared in the vestry, looking pale
and agltated, but very andsome, Nj
Charles Thrapstow.
, | had caught him by the arm and LEI
{ him into a corner, before he recognized wht
A was. When he saw me, | thought ht
q would have tainted. Don't betray me,
he whispered.
f Ihed out my hand with significant ges
: ture.
+ Give thousand" l whispered in hi
S ear.
You shall have it in five minutes"
t Your minutes are long ones, Maste
f Charles" | said.
With trembling fingers, he took out I
i pocket-book, and handed me roll of notes
:, 81 ment it for you, Tom," he said. Per
!. haps he did, but we know the fate of goo(
intentions.
!. 1t didn't take US long to count ovel
e those notes, there were exactly five thou
/, sand pounds.
+ "Now," said l, i" Master Charlie, tax
4 yourself off -
1 You promised, he urged, {" not to be
n tray me-"
e "No more I will, if you CO."
"She's got ten thousand of her own,' b
r whisnered.