Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-11-06
LOST LETTER.

influence Of the tropical weather, and
could not resist the temptation Of dis
carding his coat and waistcoat while
at work in his private room. To be
sure, it was the long vacation, and
nearly all his clients were out of town !;
but he was constantly apprebensive
of being discovered in a state of de-
shabilIe, and would rot have allowed
a client to see him without q necktie
for the world,
One particularly hot day, when the
atmosphere seemed almost suffOcatlng,
there came knock at his door, and
as the handle was being turned from
the outside he was startled By the
sound of woman's voice and the
rustic of silk gown. Could it be
possible that a lady was being usheced
in by one of his clerks without any
previous warming? Mr.. Parchment
was perfectly aghast at such impro
priety, especially considering the very
unprofessional state of his attire. 1t
was evident, however, that this was
not a false alarm, and moments
hesitation would have been fatal.
Fortunately, close at hand was baize
screen, concealing a toilet apparatus,
and behind this Mr.. Parchment rush
ed with breathless trepidation, just as
a clerk, followed by lady, entered
the apartment.
''Mr. Parchment must have gone
out" murmured the clerk, after a
pause, apparently greatly relieved,
having no doubt realized his indiscre
ton.
IT thought you said he was within,
said the lady sharply.
HE was moment ago." Numbered
the clerk.
''Then will wait here" said the
lady, seating herself III the clients
chair.
perhaps you had better take a
seat outside, ma'am," suggested the
clerk.
81 can remain here" said the lady
quietly, as she took up the news
paper.
The clerk fingered a moment, evil
IDENTIFY overawed by the iady's manner
and i'll at ease in his mind, and then
slowly disappeared while Mr.. Parch-
ment, behind the screen, CRASHED his
1dlSo bSGGI WILL rage. liz cAOoSoO OAO1
failed to realize the ludicrous side of
the situation, and was conscious only
Of mingled discontinue and humilia-
ton. It was out of the question that
he should confront the lady in his
present state, minus MS coat and
waistcoat, collarIess and cutfless. The
alternative was to remain IN his hid
ing place till the visitors patience was
exhausted, although this involved the
risk of detection, which would only
add to his embarrassment.
To make matters worse, the visitor
was the last person in the world he
wished to see at any time. She was
the wife of Sir Hector Bannister-a
hard-drinking baronet, whose family
affairs Mr.. Parchment had managed
ed for years. Unfortunately, pro
ceedings for a separation, and
even for a divorce, were pending be-
tween Sir Hector and Lady Bannis-
ter, and the lawyer had to bear the
brunt of the unpleasantness Matri-
monia1 controversy was a branch of
his business which Mr.. Parchment
particularly disliked, being highly
respectable, straight-laced old prac-
titioner, and he had neithe" tact nor
confidence in dealing with female
clients. He had been worried to death
over the unhappy affair already, and,
feeling no respect or esteem for either
of s,the paoties, he would have been
delighted to wash his hands out of it.
He particularly dreaded tete tete in
tervIews with Lady Bannister, for she
was a violent-tempered woman of
vulgar origin, and Mr.. Parchment
found it necessary to stand very much
on his dignity with her. This made
it all the more impossible for him to
present himself looking as though he
were stripped for bout of fsticuffs,
and his natural primness and old
bachelor modesty caused him to feel
more nervous and embarrassed every
moment.
After short pause Lady Bannister
threw aside the newspaper impatient
ly, and rose to her feet. Mr.. Parch
ment shuddered at the action, for if
she should stroll up to the window,
he would inevitably be discovered.
To his great relief, however, Lady
Bannis ter walked toward the fireplace,
10 UOuOI 10 arrange nef eOuuSb-
strings before the locking glass over
the mantel-shelf. But, ere tie lawyer
had recovered from his first fright
he was seized with a fresh paroxysm
of dismay as he remembered that upon
his desk there lay open letter he had
received that morning from the lady's
husband Lady Bannister could hard
ly fail to perceive it if she cast her eyes
in that direction. and she would then
learn what Mr.. Parchment had receiv
ed such particular instructions to con
ceal from her-namely, her husbands
present address. Sir Hector and Lady
Bannister we're engaged in a perpetual
game of hide-and-seek. the baronet
desiring to keep out of his wife's way
at all hazards, ana she being equally