The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-04-17

He put his hands III his pockets and
leant against the mantel shelf, staring
at the ceiling and ignoring Miss Twit-
terbit's presence. The landlady was
slowly recovering from her perturbation
and was beginning to perceive. that,
after oil, the valentine had Sludicated
the mystery of Mr.. Hunters conduct.
1t was evident that some unlucky love
affair was at the bottom of his unhappi-
ness.
Miss Twitterbit, will you do me a
great favor" he said suddenly, speak
ing more In his usual tone, though still.
laboring under strong excitement. II
want you to take letter for me to the
other side of London-over to Hamp-
stead"
eyes, sir, to he sure" said Miss
Twitterbit. on tiptoe of expectation.
1T IS long way, I know, but you
must hire cab at my expense, he said,
seating himself at the table and COM
mencing to write. "How long will it
take you to get ready?"
do you wish me to 20 now, sir ?" in
quired Miss Twitterbit, rather taken
aback.
Yes, now-this instantv' said Mr..
Hunter, impatiently. "Get your bonnet
on, and this shall be ready for you by
the time you have done So"
Miss Twitterbit was the personifica-
ton OF good nature, and, though she was
not enchanted at the prospect OF a Jour-
ney to the other end of London, she
proceeded to equip herself with alacrity.
MIR. Hunter had finished his letter when
she came down again, and he at once
handed it to her, together with some
silver for the cab fare.
Ask to see the lady," he said, i'm
Fresslvely, "and give her the letter.
Don't leave it if she is out, but bring it
back with you. Mind, on no account
part WITH It to anybody else"
lis there any answer, sir?" inquired
Miss Twitterbit, rather auttered by
these instructions,
! NO, there is no answer. If the lady
asks any questions about me, you can
tell her was very angry when sent
this; You can say I was never more out
OF temper in my life-which is the fact.
But don't stay gossiping," added Mr..
Hunter with emphasis.
1t crossed Miss Twitterbit's mind in q
feeble uncertain way that, if the letter
had reference to the valentine, she
might hy few words of explanation
sase herself the journey. But before
she could come to decision Mr.. Hunter
interrupted her reflections by saying
sharply:
Come, Miss Twitterbitt! don't waste
valuable time. The sooner YOU have
delivered the letter the better | shall be
pleased. 1t is very important remem-
Der.
Startled by this admonition, Miss
Twitterbit hastily retired, and was soon
on her way to Hampstead in four
wheeled cab. But during the ride she
had ample leisure for reflection, and it
naturally began to occur to her that she
was IN rather an awkward predica-
ment. Obviously the letter had been
written in consequence of the arrival of
the valentine, and therefore the lady
would not understand what it referred
to: On the other hand, the letter
might be the means of effecting recon-
citation between two loving hearts,
though to be sure Mr.. Hunter had not
been in particularly amiable mood
when he sent it. In word, Miss Twit-
terbit was puzzled and uneasy, the
more especially as the envelope was adj
dressed to Mrs. Hartly. This sug-
gested the suspicion that her lodger
was carrying on an intrigue with mar
ried woman, or else that Hunter was
not his real name. Either of these
idea was calculated to disconcert tho
good lady, for she was severely respec-
table, and would not, for the world.
have been mixed up in any question
able transaction. She soon regretted
having permitted Mr.. Hunter to remain
under misrepresentation about the
valentine, and had almost made up her
mind to drive back and confess every
thing, when she discovered that the let
ter had come unfastened. It had evil
IDENTIFY been hastily sealed up, just as
she was starting, and had never been
properly secured,
Under any other circumstances Miss
Twitterbit's sense of honor would have
revolted at the bare notion of reading
another persons correspondence. But
she was so nervous and perplexed that
she could not resist the temptation to
take peep at the letter. It's contents
would enable her to decide definitely
whether to deliver it or to face her LODI
gers wrath and indignation by return
ing. She therefore stealthily unfolded
the document and read as follows:
lit is evident I cannot rely on your
prudence. warned you you would be
watched, and yet you must need do such
a wantonly idiotic thing. Leave town
instantly and go down to Devonshire. I"
There was no formal commencement
or ending, and no signature to this per-
emptory laconic epistle, which Miss
Titterbit read two or three times over
in blank bewilderment, But she re-
solved to deliver it, being impressed with
its Importance because she faild to un-
derstand its meaning. Besides, it slim
ulated her curiosity, and she concluded
that it would, perhaps, be wiser to ex-
plain matters to the lady and leave her
to act as she thought best, than to risk
causing mischief by not carrying QUIT he
instructions she had received.
In due course, therefore, she reached
Hampstead, and alighted from the cab
at the corner of the street in which the
lady lived. But it happened unfortuna-
tely that the thoroughfare in question
was numbered in very eccentric fash
ion, and, while she was seeking the
house she wanted with the letter in her
hand, she was accosted by respect
able middle aged man, dressed in frock
coat and tall hat, who politely asked if
he could he of any service to her.
"Thank you, sir. I was looking for
No. ID" said Miss Twitterb:t gratefully.
Mrs. Hartley's?" said the gentlman.
eyes, that is the name," returned
Miss Twitterbit, involuntarily glancing
at the address ON the letter. "Can you
tell me which is the house. please ?"
Certainly, returned the gentleman,
promptly, 1T is the last but one on
this side. No. -, did you say? Allow
me to look"
AS he spoke, the stranger dexterously
| nofobo1 tho onvoIo,,o fror, Mics rr,,,:<