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

rs he spoke, and walked on, taking off his
hat to her as he passed. Under the cir
cumstances, Miss Twitterbit perceived
there was no occasion for her to call at
No. ID, and she therefore retruced her
steps, fun OF vague misgivings, but strv-
ing to assure herself that everything had
gone we'll
She did not succeed, however, in re-
covering her oquOnimity but, on the
contrary, the more she dreaded facing her
ledger. 1t might be relief to his mind
certainly, TO learn that Mr. Hartley wns
not jealous or angry, but she thought he
was moro likely to be furious with her for
having failed to carry out his express in
strucions. Miss Twitterbit returned
home lcisurely, in an economical omni-
bus, and was conscious of desire to lin
ger on the journey. The thought of the
reception she would meet with when she
got back banished all other speculations
from her mind, and, being timid and
nervous old lady, she shrank from the
impending interview.
No sooner had she entered the hall of
her hone than Mr.. Hunter hailed her
from the top of the staircase.
Come up, Miss Twittcrbit. Is it all
rightf' he inquired, anxiously. "Did
you deliver the letter?'
yes, sir ; il is all right, said poor Miss
Twitterbit, 9crcwing up her courage and
following her lodger into his sitting room,
'What did she say % he inquired, eau.
| tiously closing the door behind her.
"Thc lady was away, but her husband
Bit desperately.
ttINLot - i,I NJ, Ir,,.ls..
citedly.
"NIr, Hartley opened it, sir, and he
laughed quito pleasantly, and said he
would give it to his wife when she came
back from the country" said Miss Twit-
terbit eagerly.
COZ all the internal, but Mr.. Hun
terri words died away on his lips and he
seemed incapable of utterance. He
every atom of color left his face and he
chair for support. Miss Twitterbit was
too terrified even to scream, and stood,
transfXed by his furious glance till the
sound OF mems voices in the hall below
aroused her energies.
ut Is all over" murmured Mr.. Hun
ter, staggering across the room like a
VI 'lINeu nun ana dfopplhp nehNllv INTO
chair. Here they come !"
At the same moment the door opened,
and the gentleman who had called HIM
self Mr.. Hartley walked briskly into the
room, followed by a policeman. The
last mentioned apparition revealed to
Miss Twitterbit the true state of the case.
and she sunk down on the sofa in a half
fainting condition, overcome with horror
aud dismay. She was too agitated to pay
attention 10 the hurried words that pass
ed between the new arrivals and her LODI
ger but she gathered enough to under
stand that the latter was "wanted" on
a charge of cmbe2zlement. but that his
hiding place had never been suspected
until that day.
~ suppose that cursed valentine was a
trici; Of the police ?" she at length heard
Mr.. Hunter say. 'T was n fool to be de-
ceiYcd by it. When it was too late sus-
pectod the truth. On second thought
felt convinced my wife hadn't sent it."
"V.lcntine What valcntine?" in
1uirod tie detective, with genuine sur
prise.
Mr.. Hunter only shrugged his shout
ders scornfully, and rose to accompany
his captors bat Miss Twitterbit hung
her head and shed n silent tear