Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-05

appear In the books only the useless record
of his address, already known TO me. Then
the man shook his head. If I didn't know
the name, IL was no use looking; the card
was nothing, he said he sent out hun
dreds every month. What information
could he possibly give me? Then l tried
to describe the personal appearance OF
| Thrapstow. But again he shook his head.
IF he hadn't taken his likeness, he would
MT be likely to remember him hardly
even then, SO many people passed through
his hanJs.
| All this time be had been c1relessly
holding the card in his fingers, glancing at
1t now and then, and suddenly an idea
seemed TO strike him. "Stop bit," he
said, and went into his dark cham ber, and
presently emerged, smelling strongly of
chemicals. "Look here" he said triumph
antly. 1 looked, and saw very faint,
ghostly impression of photograph. "Its
printed itself through" said the man
"they will sometimes nd I've brought it
TO light. Yes, know the original of that
Again he dived into closet and brought
/ out negative with number and label
W It, lucu lt luIutu W MS DDDh duu
wrote down an address for me-Mrs. Maid
mont Larkspur road. Noting kill.
Away went to Larkspur road. Mrs.
Maidmont's house was a small comforta-
BILE residence, with bright windows, ,eran-
das, gorgeous window-boxes and striped
sun-b blinds. Mrs. Maidmont was at home,
said very neat, pretty-looking maid and
I sent in my card, with message: "On
most important business" The maid came
back 20 say that her mistress did not recog-
nize the name, but would walk in? I
was shown into pretty drawing-room on
the first floor. An elderly lady rose 10
greet me with od-fashioned courtesy, at
the same time with good deal of uneasy
curiosity visible in her face This was not
the original of the photograph, who was a
young and charming girl.
"Madame," 1 said rapidly, ~ believe
that my friend, Charles Thrapstow, is well
known TO you now, it is of the utmost
importance that should ascertain where
he is at this moment"
"Stay!' said the old lady. "You are
laborng under complete mistake; /
know nothing whatever of the gentleman
whose name you mention; q name never
heard before
Was he deceiving meP did not think
| so.
"Perhaps Miss Maidmont may KNOW" l
said eagerly.
Miss Maidmont is not likely 10 have
formed any acquaintance without her moth
er's knowledge" said Mrs. Maidmont with
dignity. There seemed to be no alterna-
tive but for me to retreat with apologies.
II 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 he strewed with preparations for
some festive event, a bail perhaps, or, from
a wreath of orange blossoms that | saw
peeping out of a milliner's box, more like
ly wedding. | was about to take my &C.
parture reluctantly, when 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 can't possi-
bly, come here tonight! Isn't it provok-
ing? And l want TO consult him about Sc
many things"
"Well, my dear Isabel said the old Ia
dy placidly, ''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-elect.
"By the way" she went on, 'heres q
gentleman, Isabel, who insists that we
know a Mr.. Charles-I forget the name
now"
"Thrapstow," interjected.
"a Mr.. Charles Thrapstow You know
of no such person, Bella p
~ know of no Mr.. Charles but Charles
Tempest" ;" said Isabel.
at is singular too, that the initials OF
our friends should be the same. May Task
if you have given your portrait, taken by
Blubore of Kensington"-
upon my word" said Mrs. Maidmont
rising, and sounding the bell, "ths is ra-
ther too much from total stranger. We
don't know your friend, and we dom
know you. Susan, show this gentleman
out"
"But a gentleman l cried, "with blue
eyes. and yellow beard and mustache, and
turned-up nose"
"No more T. cried Mrs. Maidmont. cam
10 repeat, once more, that wo know moth
ing about him?"
What could | do under these circum-
stances but take my leave? In Susan
however, found an unexpected ally. She
had heard my parting words of description
| oba I'm 10 L.
ing the stairs and said, "Miss Isabel's
young man is exactly like that" Half c
crown and few Establishments, which
under the circumstances, think even my
worthy spouse would have condoned, put
me into possession of the facts.
Miss Maidmout was really goilg to he
married to- morrow morning, at st. Spike
nard's church to Mr.. Charles Tempest, 9
very good looking young man, whom they
had not kn"wn long, but who seemed tc
be very well of. My description of my
friend tailed exactly with Susan's of the
bridegroom but the coincidence might be
merely accidental.
"Had Miss Maidmont a photograph ol
her lover?" asked.
She had in her own room, it seemed. Su-
san co olldn't get at it now without suspi-
cion; but she promised 10 secure ii, and
bring ii with her If | would meet her at
o'clock at the corner of the street.
l was punctual to my tryst; and at Q Su-
san made her appearance with morocco
case containing an excellent likeness Of
my friend, Charles Thrapstow, massive pin
with topaz in II, and all.
Now what was to be done? Should SC
TO Mrs. Maidmont and tell her how she
was deceived in her daughters lover
That would have been the way best adapted