National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-11-14
BRADFORD YER

| water; and near the upper end Of IL wa
a round hregilar cut, which did not qui,
penetrate the card. Ithad evidently one,
had a photograph fastened on it &C
cordingly, the card had been wetted, Il
facilitate the removal Of the photograph
whilst the face of the portrait had evi
IDENTIFY been cut ont, in order to bt
place it in locket or something SINH
lar
1t struck me at OF &c that the photo
graph, about which MN on tho eve
of fight would take 20 iSuoh tSouble,
must be = 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 associates, and 1 had nc
clue to guide me to any Of them except
the photographers card.
Re-entering my cab, drove off 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 onytkling about
it. Indeed, at first, when the man
found that l was not Gus stomer, he
seemed little inclined to trouble him
self about the matter. The promise of
| a fee, however, made him more reason
able, and he offered to let me see his
books, that l might search Cor the
name / wanted to find. 1t was unlikely
that the photograph had been done for
Thrapstow if it had, there would
probably appear in the books only the
useless record of his addre IS, already
known to me. Then the man shook his
head. If ! didn't know tho name, it
was no use looking; the card was moth
ing, 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
holding the card in his fingers, CLAN
cling at it now and then, and suddenly
an idea seemed to strike him. "Stor
bit" he said, and went into his dart
chamber, and presently emerged,
smelling strongly of chemicals. LooH
here" he said, triumphantly. I looked
and saw very faint ghostly impress
sion of photograph. It's printed
itself through" said the man" they
will sometimes-and I've brought it tq
light. Yes, l know the original Of
that" Again he dived into closet
and brought out negative with
number and label to it. Then he turn
to his book, and brought out n mega
tive with number and label to it,
Then he turned to his book, and wrote
down an address for me--Mrs. Maid
mont, Larkspur road, Noting Hill.
Away 1 went to Larkspur road. Mrs
Maidmont's house was a small com
Portable residence, with bright win
dows, verandahs, gorgeous window
boxes, and striped sun-blinds. Mrs
Maidmont was at heme, said yer.
neat, pretty looking maid; and l sent i
my card, with a message: "On mos
important business" The maid cam
back to say that her mistress did nd
the name, but would I wal
in?
was shown into pretty drawing
room on the first floor. An elderly lad
rose to greet me with old-fashione
at the same time with goo
leal of uneasy curiosity visible in ht
lace. This was not the original of th
who was young an
girl.
Madam" said rapidly, "I bd
ieve that my friend, Charles Thrap
stow, is we'll known to you; now, it
If the utmost Importance that shoul
.scertain where he is at this preser
,ime."
STAY" said the old lady. "Yo
ire laboring under a complete mistak
know nothing whatever of the gel
leman whose name you mention
name never heard before"
Was she deceiving me? / did nj
.hink so.
Perhaps Miss Maidmont may knoI
lim," said eagerly.
"Miss Maidmont is not likely 20
nave formed any acquaintance without
Ter mothers knowledge" said Mrs.
Maidmont with dignity. There seemed
% lie no alternative but for me to retreat
..h apologies.
81 am very busy, you see," went on
he old lady, with a wave of the hand;
md indeed the room, now I looked
,bost me, | saw to be strewed with pre-
,arations for some festive event, a ball
or, from wreath of orange
blossoms that | saw peeping out of the
nilliners box, more likely n wedding.
was about to take my departure reluc-
antly, when young girl, charming
-oung girl, bounded into the room.
She was the original of the photo
,raph.
ooh, mamma y she cried, " here's a
etter from poor Charlie to say he can't
possibly come here tonight. Isn't it
And want to consult him
bout so many things"
"Well, my dear Isabel" said the old
ady placidly, "you'll have enough of
lis company after tomorrow" From
which l judged that my surmise as to
he wedding was correct, and that !,
jharlie was the bridegroom elect.
"By the way," she went on, here's /,
gentleman, Isabel, who insists that ,,
re know Mr.. Charles forget the !
anne now"
Thrapstow." 1 interjscted.
GA Mr.. Charles Thrapstow. You :
now of no such person, Bella ~
"I knew of no Mr.. Charles but
'harles Tempest" said Isabel.
at is singular, too, that the initials
our friends should be the same v
lay ask if You have given your por- 4
rait, taken by Blubore of Kensington i
=,
"Upon my word," said Mrs. Maid t
lont, rising, and sounding the bell, a
this is rather too much from total b
tranger. We don't know your friend, +
nd we don't know you. Susan, show e
his gentleman out. p