The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-05-07
In Each Others Shoes.
A STORY IN TWO SuMBRRs-SuMBER TWO.
CHAPTER w.

A STORY IN TWO SuMBBRs-SuMBER TWO.
CHAPTER Nv.
Having waited a reasonable length OF
time after dinner, Crombie again left his
room, resolved to make call upon Mr..
Littimer, on the plea of apologizing for
having marched away with his shoes.
He would not run the risk, by sending
his card, of being denied as stranger;
30, notwithstanding much hesitation and
tremor, he approached the door which he
had once seen standing open, and knocked.
A voice which he now heard for the Sec
ond time in his life, but which was 50
sweet and crept 80 naturally into the GEN.
ter of his heart that the thought of it
seemed always to have been there, an
swered "Come in" Aud he did come in.
Is MIR. Lit-is your father at home ? I"
It seemed to bring him little nearer to
her to say "your father"
Blanche had risen from the chair where
she was reading, and looked very much
surprised. "Oh she exclaimed, with
girlish simplicity, " thought it was the
waiter. "N.no; he hasn't come home
yet"
al beg pardon. Then perhaps I'd bet
ter call later" Crombie made feeble
movement toward withdrawal
"Did you want to see him on business
Who shall tell him ?"
"Mr. Crombie, please. It's nothing
very important"
at her own deception, " haven't seen you
in the house before Are you staying
here?
She remembered distinctly the incident
of the card case, and how very nice she
had thought him, both on that occasion
and every time she had seen him. But
as for him, his heart sank at the vague
impersonality with which she seemed to
regard him.
"Yes, I'm here, and can easily come in
again."
al expect my father almost any mo-
ment," she said. "Would you like to
wait 2"
What an absurd question, to one in his
frame of mind "Well, really, it is such
very small matter" he began. examin-
ing his hat attentively. Then he glanced
up at her again, and smiled: 81 only
wanted to-to make an apology"
"An apology" echoed Blanche, be-
coming rather more distant. "Oh, dear !
I'm very sorry, Pm sure. l didn't know
there'd been any trouble" She began to
look anxious, aud turned her eyes upon
the smouldering fire in the CRATE. So
this was to be the end of her pleasant,
cheerful reveries about this nice young
man. And the reveries had been more
frequent than she had been aware of until
now.
"There has been no trouble" he assured
her, eagerly. "Just a little mistake that
occurred; and, in fact, was hardly re-
sponsible for it,"
Blanche's eyes bagan to twinkle with a
new and amusing Interpretation. "Ah "
she cried, "are you the gentleman who"
Then she stopped short.
Crombie was placed in an unexpected
embarrassment. How could he possibly
drag into his conversation with this lovely
young creature 80 commonplace and vul-
gar subject as shoeleather Ignoring
her unfinished question, he asked do
you know, Miss Littimer, whether the
a-one of the servants here has brought
up anything for your father-that is, a
parcel, "a"
"a pair of shoes 2" Blanche broke in
her eyes dancing, while her lips parted
in O smile.
Yes, yes that's what meant"
"They came up just after dinner
Blanche returned. "Then you are the
gentleman"
"Pm afraid l am" Crombie owned
and they both laughed.
Blanche quietly, and with no apparent
intention, resumed her chair; and thil
time Crombie took seat without wait
ing to be invited again. Thus they fell II
talking in the friendliest way.
al can't imagine what has become o.
papa" said Blanche. "He sent word il
the most mysterious manner that he hac
an engagement; and it is 80 unusual
Perhaps it's something about the new
house he's building-up-town, you know
Dear me it does make 30 much trouble
and don't believe | shall like it half a!
well as these little, cozy rooms"
The little, cozy rooms were as the abod,
OF giants compared with Crombie's con
tracted quarters but he drew comfor
from what she said, thinking how suci
sentiments might make it possible to viii
even 30 unattainable an heiresss int
some modest home of his own.
"You don't know till you try it, HI
replied. "Just think of having plac,
all to yourself, belonging to YOU"
Blanche lifted her eyebrows, and ligh
sigh escaped her. She was rejecting
perhaps, that place all to herself woui'
be rather lonely.
"You have never met my father 7" sh
asked.
"No. / havs seen him."
"Well, think you will like him whe
you know him."
L. \ "a u
with fervor, worshiping the very furni
ture that surrounded Blanche. al hop
we may become better acquainted"