Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-04-04
saCoN>Cious DsTs TIVE.


V. Y. Indsysud,nt.
A ACoN>ttOus uETE. TIVE.
A Pheasant Litiie story rron London.
Mis- Iwitterhit was devoured with Gu
nosity about her new ledger. For near
~ slN weeks he had hardly stirred out of
the house, but had remained shut ND in
his room from morning till night, doing
nothing, SO far as she could observe.
though he sometimes had book in his
hand. lie received no visitors and no
letters, and could not be induced to d.
vulge anything whatever about himself
except that his name was Hunter. He
appeared to be gentleman, was well
dressed and rather good looking, and
showed no outward traces Of the i'll health
to which he attributed his seclusion. As
he gave no trouble, and paid his way with
nntallln8 regularity, Miss Twitterbit had
nothing to complain of, but her kind
heart was touched by his loneliness, and
she felt n sympathetic interest in him,
which Induced her to try the experiment
OF se@diug him q vOlcntine.
She did this because she had arrived at
the conclusion that the poor young man
was plnlng away from the effects of an un-
requitod attachment Having been her
sen cruelty lllted twenty-five years ago,
Miss IwltterOlt imagined that she knew
the symptoms OF bruised and broken
heart. This romantic theory commended
Itself to the worthy lady's sentimental
mind, and seemed to explain Mr.. Hunters
habit lal detection, his reticence, and his
strange shrinking from contact with his
ic!low-men The approach of St. Valen-
tlne day therefore suggested to her the
idea OF sending HIM tender missive in a
disguised hand, partly with the charita-
Die OBJECT OF enllycnlng his solitude, but
chiefly, 1t Is 70 be feared, in the hope that
1t might lead to his taking her into his
confidence regarding his blighted affec-
tons.
Accordingly, Miss rbitpurchased
u highly ornate and sentimental lucubra-
ton, and sent il up in m envelope on Mr..
Hunters breakfast tray. The lodger's
name mad been inscribed by the young
lady at the shop where The valentine was
purchased, and in order to enhance the
mystery Of the proceeding Miss Twitter-
olt instructed the servant girl TO inform
Mr.. Hunter, IN case he asked any ques-
tons, that tie letter had been left at the
mouse by an unknown lady. Miss Twit-
terbit did not doubt that she herself in
t'lrn Would be sent for and cross examin-
ed, and she wOuld then be able to form
her own conclusion from the young mans
manner whether she had rightly diagnos-
ed his disorder, even if, in the fulness of
ms heart, he did not make full confess
sion.
MISS Iwltterblt was as mild and gentle
IN elderly lady as ever existed, and moth
ing would have induced her to do any,
thlng knowingly to vez her lodger, quite
apart from prudential considerations. She
never dreamed that any harm could arise
odt OF her little experiment, and conse-
quehtly she was quite upset when she
learned the extraordinary effect her valen
tine had had upon Mr.. Hunter.
lie turned as white, miss as a sheet,
rs soon as ever he saw the enyelope. " said
the servant girl, when she returned from
the lodgers apartment in a great state of
excitement. He took it No as though
he expected it to bite him, and when he
saw the valentine lie swore dreadful and
ordered me out of the room double
quick
-, Dear, dear me !" murmurel Miss
Twitterbit, deeply concerned. "Did he
say anything or ask any questions ?"
He asked how the letter came here
and / mentioned what you told me, ;" said
the Girl. ''''N'
81 hope you did not bring in nv name.
Bird -tt?' said Miss Twitter bit. with sud,
den trepidation.
Il didn't let ont anything, miss, if you
mean that, answered the girl. "In fact
he quite frightened me, and hardly
dared to open my mouth"
At that moment violent ring reyerber-
ated through the house and Mr.. Hun.
ters voice was heard on the landing above.
an8rily summoning Miss Twitterbit,
Il suppose L must go up to him, Bird
get, said the poor lady, feeling unac-
countably nervous.
HE seems a gettin' angrier every min.
ute, said the girl referring to the dodgers
repeated vociferations
Miss Twitterbit took the hint. and lost
no time in fastening up stairs. Mr.. Hun.
ters aspect plainly showed that he was
agitated and out of temper. He was
strlding impatiently about the room
Kicking the chairs and footstools yiciousIy
aside when they impeded his path, and
piting his nails furiously. His face was
distorted with rage, and the fierce ex.
preston OF his eyes was sufficient TO star.
tle a nervous person, breathless from a
hurried ascent of staircase. Miss Twit-
terblt presented herself with a face as
pale as her lodger's, and felt as ruilty as
thoqgh she had committeda crime
Il wanted to ask about this, said Mr.
Hunter, picking up the unlucky valen.
tine from the floor, where il Law in a
crushed and mangled condition. @When
did it Gomez" "AeA
Miss Twitterbit was on the noint of
making clean breast of her iniouitv
and confessing that she alone was respo1,
siole Tor the offending missive but while
sn s. was hesitating. from awk wardness and
diftdence, Mr., Hunter shattered her
nerves by exclaiming '0i
For heavens sake, woman. don't
stand staring there [! Answer nv onss'
non: When did this Gomez" sN''
;. Yesterday" gasped Miss Twitterbit
IN desperation. iOi''
WHO brought it ?" continued NJ,
auntef, getting more and more eTcitad
A-a young lady," answered tbs iard
!aoy, falling back on the stow s5s b05
originally intended to tell. "' H4a
'What was she Likes"