The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-28

package of papers from a pigeon-hole, and,
lol there dropped out the original manu-.
script of "John Dolline's Quest" There
was no doubt about it, he instantly
recognized the peculiar hand in which it
had been written, and on the back were
the date OF receipt, number, and memoran-
dun of acceptance. Moreover, the sight
of the article recalled distinctly the fact
that he had brought the story home for
more careful reading, aud had placed il in
his desk the circumstances had entirely
escaped him, but now they all came back
in flash. John Parker was thunder
struck; if he had been perplexed before,
he was hopelessly confused now. The
original manuscript had never been out of
his possession, and yet Miss Ferguson had
supplied copy over night He looked
up the issue of the magazine, and COM
pared the printed story with the manu-
script in his hand; they were identical
save in few phrases and turns of express
sion. As he recalled Miss Ferguson's
copy, he remembered that the handwriting
was very different from that before him,
and as he recalled the note of inquiry he
was sure that its penmsnship was the
same as that of the original manuscript
He lighted fresh cigar, and began to
walk up and down his room, seeking
vsinly for some solution of the problem.
He tried one theory after another, but
none of them fitted the facts, and finally
he gave up in despair; there was no ra-
tional explanation unless Miss Ferguson
had stolen the story from the writer,
which was Incredible; or unless she had
written it herself, which, in view of all
the circumstances, seemed equally incred
ible. Mr.. Parker walked and walked, and
the longer he walked and thought the
more uncomfortable he felt. His feeling,
if he had analysed it as closely as the nov.
elists who contributed stories to the mag
azine were in the habit of Analysing such
emotions, was warmer and more intense
than the simple editorial problem would
have justified; the fact that Miss Fergu
son was involved seemed to invest the
circumstances with a personal interest of
kind which he had never felt before.
The next morning Mr.. Parker had
reached no conclusion, but he had decided
what to do. He sent for Miss Ferguson,
and, when she presented herself, handed
her the manuscript without q word of
comment. If he had felt any misgiving
as to the result it was dissipated by the
flush which suffused the girls face when
she understood that he had discovered
her connection with the story.
al owe you an explanation, which
ought to have made earlier" she said !;
81 wrote this story six months ago, but
had too little confidence in it to send it to
any magazine. l laid it on a book rack
in my room, and thought no more of it
until the afternoon when you asked me
about the lost story. l was 80 struck by
the title that l asked for its character,
and from your description 1 knew the
story must have been my own. / hurried
to my clearinghouse and found the
manuscript missing. 1t had probably
been taken by woman who had left the
house suddenly not very long before, and
whom had instinctively distrusted. Your
strong commentator stimulated me to
reproduce it. sat up the whole night,
and in the morning laid the story on your
desk without explanation. These are the
facts, which should have put into your
possession before if had been able to
overcome my timidity. 1t is the first
piece of literary work ever attempted"
Whatever John Parker's feelings were
while Miss Ferguson was making this ex-
PLANTATION, he carefully concealed them.
When she had finished, he extended his
hand cordially, and said:
al congratulate you on having made a
very great success. Your future is likely
to be an enviable one. Have you written
anything since John Dolline's Quest p"
Her reply was to leave the room and
return with another SKETCH The same
afternoon, as he handed her generous
check for both contributions, he told her
that he did not expect her to remain longer
in her present position, adding, with con-
siderable emphasis:
i have another place in view for you,
if can persuade you to take it."
Nothing was heard from the person
who had brought "John Dolline's Quest {"
to the Magazine, although several devices
were employed for that purpose the sud-
den and wide popularity of the sketch
probably deferred her from making any
attempt to profit by her theft. Three
months later. as they were coming out of
hotel in Washington, Mrs. Parker sud-
denly turned to her husband and asked.
:. "What was the place you had in view
Tor me, John ?"
The one you now occupy, my DEAR
II. w. M. in Christian Union.