The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-04-17
ter, but ct present she is away in the


country"
Mr.. Hartley put the letter in his
pocket as he spoke, and walked on, TAX
ing off his hat to her as he passed.
Under the circumstances, Miss Twitter-
bit perceived there was no occasion for
her to call at No. -, and she therefore
retracted her steps, full of vague mis-
givings: but striving to assure herself
that everything had gone we'll.
She did not succeed, however, in re-
covering her equanimity; but, on the
contrary, the more she reflected on
what had taken place. the more she
dreaded facing her ledger. 1t might
be relief to her mind, certainly, to
learn that Mr.. Hartley was not Jealous
or angry, but she thought he was more
likely to be furious with her for having
failed to carry out his express instruc-
lions. Miss Twitterbit returned home
leisurely, in an economical omnibus, and
was conscious offs desire to linger on
the Journey: The thought of the
reception she would meet with when
she got back banished all other specula-
tons from her mind, and, being timid
esAu ACASOuS O4u 1dUy she Sufank from
the impending interview.
No sooner had she entered the hall of
her home than Mr.. Hunter hailed her
from the top of the staircase.
Come up Miss Twitterbit. Is it
all fight?". he inquired, ..anxiously:
did you deliver the letter?'
Eyes, sir, it is all right" said poor
Miss Twitterbit, screwing up her cour-
age and following her lodger into his
sitting room.
"What did she say?" he inquired,
cautiously closing the door behind
her.
"The lady was away, but her husband
opened the letter." began Miss Twit-
terbit desperately.
''What ?" interrupted Mr.. Hunter,
excitedly.
''Mr. Hartley opened it, sir, and he
laughed quite pleasantly, and said he
would give it to his wife when she came
back from the country, " said Miss Twit-
terbit, eagerly.
'Of all the Internal" but Mr..
Hunters words died away on his lips
and he seemed incapable of utterance.
He glared at poor Miss Twitterbit,
while every atom of color left his face
and he was obliged to cling to the back
OF his chair for support. Miss Twit-
terbit was too terrified even to scream,
and stood transfixed by his furious
glance, till the sound Of mems voices in
the hall below aroused her energies.
1T is all over" murmured Mr.. Hun
ter, staggering across the room like a
drunken man and dropping heavily in
to a chair: ''Here they conner
At the same moment she door opened
and the gentleman who had called him
self MIR. 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 sank down on the sofa in
lf-fainting condition, overcome with
horror and dismay. She was two agi-
tated to. pay attention to the hurried
words that passed between the new az
rivals and her lodger, but she gathered
enough to understand that the latter
was wanted" on a charge of embezzle-
ment, but that his hiding-plac had
never been suspected until that day
II supposed that cursed valentine
was trick of the police % she at length
heard Mr.. Hunter say. ''Iwas fool to
be deceived by it. When it was too
late L suspected the truth. On second
thong hts I felt convinced my wife hadn't
sent it,"
valentine! What valentine?" in
quired the detective, with genuine sur:
prise.
Mr.. Hunter only shrugged his shout
ders scornfully, and rose to accompany
his capt rs; but Miss Twitterbit hung
her head and shed silent tear.