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

1t was evident that some unlucky love
affair was at the bottom of his unhap"
piness. A A.
"Miss Twitterbit will you do me
great favor'" he said suddenly, speak
ing more in his usual tone, though
still laboring under strong excitement.
81 want you to take letter for me to
the other side. of London-over to
Hampstead"
ayes, sir, to be sure said Miss Twit-
tcrbit, on the tiptoe of expectation.
at is long way, I know, but you
must hire a cab at my expense" he
said, seating himself at the table and
commencing to write. "How long
will you need to get ready p
'Do you wish me to go now, sir ?"
inquired Miss Twitterbit, rather taken
aback. " II HI
ayes, now-this instant" said Mr..
Hunter impatiently "Get your bon.
net on, aud this shall be ready for you
by the time You have done So"
Miss Twitterbit was the personifica-
tion of good nature, and, though she
was not enchanted at the prospect of a
journey to the other end of London,
she proceeded to equip herself with
alacrity. Mr. Hunter had finished his
letter when she came down again, and
he at once handed it to her, together
with some silver for the car fare.
"Ask 10 see the lady," he said i'm
pressively, "and give her the letter.
Don't leave it if she is out, but bring
it back with you. Mind, on no &C.
count, part with it to anybody else"
"ls there any answer, sir 7" inquired
Miss Twitterbit rather fustered by
these instructions. ....... ....
mo, 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 | was never more
out of temper in my life--which is the
fact. Don't stay gossiping," added
MIR. Hunter with emphasis.
1t crossed Miss Twitterbit's mind in
feeble, uncertain way that, if the let
ter had reference to the valentine, she
might by few words of explanation
save herself the journey. But before
she could come to decision Mr., HUI
ter interrupted her reflections by say
sharply
| "Come Miss Twitterbit don't waste
valuable time. The sooner you have
delivered the letter the better l shall
be pleased. 1t is very important, re-
member"
Startled by this admonition, Miss
Twitterbit hastily retired, and was
soon on her way to Hampstead in a
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
predicament. Obviously the letter had
been written in consequence of the arri-
val OF the valentine, aud therefore the
lady would not understand what it re-
ferred to. On the other hand, the let
ter might be the means of effecting a
reconciliation between two loving
hearts, though to be sure Mr.. Hunter
had not been in particularly amiabl0
mood when he sent it. In word Miss
Twitterbt was puzzled and uneasy,
the more especially as the envelope
was addressed to Mrs. Huntley. This
suggested the suspicion that her lodger
was carrying on All intrigue with a
married woman, or else that Hunter
was not his real name, Either of these
ideas were calculated to disconcert the
good lady, for she was perfectly re,
spectacle, and would not for the world
have been mixed up in any question
able transaction. She soon regretted
having permitted Mr.. Hunter to re-
main under Misrepresentation about
the valentine, and had almost made up
her mind to drive back and confess ev.
erything, when she discovered that
the letter had come unfastened.
1t had evidently been hastily sealed
up, just as she was starting, and had
never been properly secured.
| Under any other circumstances Miss
Twitterbits sense of honor would have
revolted at the bare notion of reading
another persons correspondence. Blu,
she was so nervous and perplexed tina,
she could not resist the temptation to
take peep at the letter. Its contents
would enable her to decide definitely
whether to deliver it or to face hel
lodger's wrath and indignation by re
turning. She therefore stealthily un
folded the document and read as fol
lows
at is evident cannot rely on you
prudence. | warned you you would b,
watched, and yet you must need dt
such wantonly idiotic thing, Leav,
town instantly and go down to Devon
shire.
There was no formal commencement
or ending, and no signature to thi
peremptory and laconic epistle, whicl
Miss Twitterbit read two or three times
in blank bewilderment. But she re
solved to deliver it, being impressed
with its Importance because she failet
to understand its meaning. Besides, i
stimulated her curiosity, and she con
cluded that it would, perhaps, be wise
to explain matters to the lady ant
leave her to act ss she thought best
than to risk causing mischief by no
carrying out the instructions she haC
received.
In due course, therefore, she reachec
Hampstead, and alighted from the cal
at the corner of the street IN which tn
lady lived. But it happened, unfortu
nately, that the thoroughfare in question
was numbered in very eccentric fash
ion, and, while she was seeking th
house she wanted, with the letter Il
her hand, she was accosted by
very respectable, middle-aged mar
dressed in frock coat and tall hat
who politely asked her if he could b
OF any service to her.
"Thank you, sir. was looking fo
No. l3," said Miss Twitterbit, graceful
, ly. .....
"Mrs. Hartley's 7" said the gentle
man.
"Yes, that is the name,' remarks
Miss Twitterbit, involuntarily glancin
/ Al A A IL