Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-04-04

her, together with some silver for the cab
fare.
'Ask to see the lady," he said, im-
pressiyely, land 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
us there any answer sir q inquired
Miss Twitterbit rather nuttered by these
ins' ructions.
mo, there is no answer. II the lady
asks any questions about me, you can tell
her l was very angry when sent this
| you can say L never was more out of tenn
per IN my life-which is the fact. But
don't stay gossiping, added Mr.. Hunter
with emphasis
1t crossed Miss Twitterbits mind III q
feeble, uncertain way that, if the letter
had reference to the valentine. she might
by few words of explanation save her
self the journey. But before she could
como to decision Mr. Hunter interrupt
ed her reflections by saying sharply:
Come Miss Twitterbit don't waste
valuable time. The sooner you have de-
liyered the letter the better / shall he
pleased. 1t is very important remem.
Der.
Startled by this admonition, Miss Twil-
terbit hastily retired, aud was soon on
her way to Hampstead in four-wheelcd
cab. But during the ride she had ample
leisure for reflection, aud 1t naturally be-
gan to occur to her that she was in rather
an awkward predicament. 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-
ciliation between two loving hearts.
though to be sure Mr.. Hunter had not
been in particularly amiable mood when
he sent 1t. In word, Miss Twitterbit
was puzzled and uneasy, the more espe-
clally as the envelope was addressed to a
Mrs. Huntley. This suggested the sns-
plclon that her ledger was CARRYING on an
intrigue with married woman. or else
that Hunter was not his real name. Eth
er of these ideas was calculated TO discern
cert the good lady, for she was severely
respectable, and would not, for the world,
have been mixed up IN any questionable
TRANSACTION. She soon regretted having
permitted Mr.. Hunter to remain under
mlsapprehension about tho valentine. and
mad almost made up her mind to drive
PACK and confess everything, when she
discovered that the letter had come I'M
fastened. 1t had evidently been hastily
sealed up, Just as she was starting, and
mad never been properly secured.
Under any other circumstances Miss
IWltterbits sense of honor would have
reyolted at the bare notion of reading an
other persons correspondence. But she
was SO nervous and perplexed that she
could not resist the temptation to take n
peep at the letter It's contents would
enable her to decide definitely whether to
deliver it or to face her lodger's wrath
and indignation by returning. She there
fore stealthily unfolded the document and
read as follows:
IT s evident canno, rely on your prudence I
warned you, you would be watched, and vet YOU
must need do such a wanionly idioiic Thing Lave
Town instantly and go down 10 Devon,hlren
There was no formal commencement or
ending, and no signature to this peremp.
tory and laconlc epistle, which Miss Twit-
terDlt read two or three times over in
blank bewilderment. But she resolved
to deliver it, being impressed with its i'm
portance because she failed to under
stand Its meaning, Beside, it stimulated
her curiosity, and she concluded that it
would, perhaps, be wiser to explain mat
tiers to the lady and leave her to act as
she thought best, than to risk causing
mlschlef by not carrying ont the instruc,
tons 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 unfortunately
That tho thoroughfare i'll question was
numbered III very eccentric fashion and
while she was seeking the house she want.
ed, with the letter in her hand. she was
accosted by respectable, middle-aged
man, dressed in frock coat and tall int
who politely asked if he could be of any
service t, her.
~ Ihank you, sir. l was looking fol
fully. e'"'0
"Mrs. Hartley's?" said the peptlem.n
60 Yes, that is the namo, returned Miss
lwitterbit, involuntarily CHANGING at the
which IS the house, please?"
certainly" returned the gentleman,
promptly. at is the last but one on this
look" "
| ~ ppohc, tue stranger ueAterOuSly
snatched the envelope from Miss Twitter.
bits unresisting hand, and TO her dis.
may and amazement, proceeded to open
| it.
Indignantly. ~ '''0'''
1T is all right, said the stranger, run
ming his eye quickly, and with evident
satisfaction, over the mysterious contents
OF the letter. ~ recognized the hand
writing. l am Mr.. Hartley"
| oh !" exclaimed Miss Twitterbit with
feeling OF momentary relief. "But the
easily. I'LL
~ is all the same" said Mr.. Hartley
your friend ?" " -
But Miss Twitterbit paid no heed to
the question, being startled and frighten.
ed at learning that she had delivered a
letter intended for Mrs. Hartley's private
eye to her husband. II Mr.. Hunter was
MAKING love to another mans wife his
conduct was inexcusable, but it was fright
ful TO recollect that she might be the in.
nocent cause OF a domestic explosion.
Miss Twltterbit trembled at her impu.
dence and could not conceal her dismay'
1t Is all right. ma am, said Mr.. Hart
Icy, cycling her keenly. "I'm not bit
Jealous. I'm model husband that wav
Mrs. Hartley shall have the letter, but nj
present she is away III the country. ="
Mr. Hartley put the letter in his pcetet