The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-04-18
SELECT STORY.
UNCONSCIOUS DETECTIVE.

nearly six weeks he had hardly stirred
out Of the house, but had remained
shut up in his own room from morn
ing till night, doing nothing, 80 far as
she could observe, though he some
times had book in his hand He re-
ceved no visitors and no letters, and
could not be induced to divulge any
thing whatever about himself except
that his name was Hunter. He ap-
peared to be gentleman, was we'll
dressed and rather good looking, and
showed no outward traces of the i'll
health to which he attributed his se-
clusion. As he gave no trouble and
paid his way with unfaiing regularity,
Miss Twitterbit had nothing to com
plain of, but her kind heart was touch
ed by his loneliness, and she felt sym
pathetic interest in him, which induced
her to try the experiment of sending
him avalentine.
She did this because she had arrived
at the conclusion that the poor young
man was pinihg away from the effects
of an unrequited attachment. Having
been herself cruelty Tilted thirty.fve
years ago, Miss Twitterbit imagined
that she knew the symptoms of bruis
ed and broken heart. This romantic
theory commended itself to the worthy
lady's sentimental mind. and seemed to
explain Mr.. Hunters habitual dejec-
ton, his reticenoe, and his strange
shrinking from contact with his fellow
men. The approach of st. Valentines
day therefore suggested to her the idea
of sending him tender missive in a
disguised hand, partly with the chari-
liable object OF enivening his solitude,
but chiefly, it is to be feared, in the
hope that it might lead to his taking
her into his confidence regarding his
blighted affections. ....-..
Accordingly, Miss Twitterbit pur-
chased highly ornate and sentimental
lucubration, and sent it up in an
envelope on Mr.. Hunters breakfast
tray. The lodger's name had been in.
scribed by the young lady at the shop
where the valentine was purchased,
and in order TO enhance the mystery of
the proceeding, Miss Twitterbit in
structed the servant girl to inform Mr..
Hunter, in case he asked any questions,
that the letter had been left at the
house by an unknown lady. Miss
Twitterbit did not doubt that she her.
self in turn would be sent for aud cross
examined, and she would then be able
to form her own conclusions from the
young mans manner whether she had
rightly diagnosed his disorder, even if,
in the fullness of his heart, he did not
make a full confession. .......
Miss Twitterbit was as mild and
gentle an elderly lady as ever existed,
and nothing would have induced her
to do anything knowingly to vex her
lodger, quite apart from prudential
considerations She never dreamed
that any harm could arise out of her
experiment, and consequently she was
quite upset when she learned the ex-
traordinary effect her valentine had
upon Mr.. Hunter
''He turned as white, Miss, az sheet
as soon as ever he saw the envelope,
said the servant girl, when she return
ed from the lodger's apartment in a
great state of excitement. "He took
it up as though he expected it TO bite
him, and when he saw the valentine he
swore dreadful, and ordered me out of
the room double quick"
"Dear, dear me !" murmured Miss
Twitterbit, deeply concerned "Did
he say anything or ask any questions 2
"He asked how the letter came here,
and | mentioned what you told me, y
said the girl.
81 hope you did not bring in my
name, Bridget 7" said Miss Twitterbit,
with sudden ,repdation.
Il didn't let out anything, Miss, if
you mean that" answered the girl. '1n
fact, he quite frightened me, and !
hardly dared to open my mouth"
AT that, t,moment violent ring rever-
berated through the house, and Mr..
Hunters voice was heard on the land
ing above, angrily summoning, Miss
Twitterbit
81 suppose I must 60 up to him,
Bridget" said the poor lady, feeling
unaccountaDly nervous.
"He seems gettin angrier every
minute" said the girl, referring to the
lo1ger's repeated vociferations. Miss
Twitterbit took the hint, and lost nc
time in Fastening up stairs. Mr.. Hun
ter's aspect plainly showed that he was
agitated and ont cf temper. He was
striding impatiently about the ROOM
kicking the chairs and foot-stools vic
iously aside when they impeded hi,
path, and biting his nails furiously
His face was distorted with rage, anG
the fierce expression of his eyes was
sufficient to startle a nervous person
lireathless from hurried ascent of g
staircase. Miss Twitterbit presented
herself with a face as pale as her lod
gers, and felt as guilty as though sh,
had committed crime.
81 wanted 10 ask about this" said
Mr.. Hunter, picking up the unlucky
valentine from the floor, where it lay
in crushed and mangled condition
When did this come 7"
| Miss Twitterbit was on the point o.
l hhohiuB u Cicdu DItdst VI utT lulQulJy
and oonfessing that she alone was re
sponsible for the offending missive, bu
while she was hesitating, from awk
wardness and diffidence, Mr.. Hunte
shattered her nerves by exclaiming
"For heavens sake woman, dom
stand staring there Answer my ques
ton. When did this come 7"
Yesterday. .gasped Miss Twitter
bit, in desperation"
"Who brought it 7" continued Mr.
Hunter, getting more and more excl
ted.
IA young lady," answered tn,
and lady falling back on the story sh
had originally intended to tell.
"What was she like p
"Im sure | cannot say. The fact is
l hardly only"
"Was she young and fair, rathe
tall, and fashionably dressed :" inter
rupted Mr.. Hunter.
"Well, yes think she was" an
swered Miss Twitterbit, vaguely con
scous of awakening curiosity in tn