The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-01-14


said, for / repeated it over three or four
times, so l couldn't forget"
The young lady, who carried small
travelling bag, was evidently non
plussed, and for a moment seemed
quite annoyed and undecided, when
Bobby, who wished to facilitate mat
tiers, again opened the conversation,
saying, alphabetically: "Mr. Conrad's
a very good man, miss, but he said he
couldn't have woman chattering round
the office; it would drive him distracted,
/ 'spose cause he's always a writing
and reading"
Bobby" said the young lady, re-
hectively, "can you tell me where to
find the Union depot?"
"She's going" thought the boy,
with sigh of relief; so he answered,
cordially: ooh, yes, miss. If you'll
Just step to the window, I'll show it to
you. IT'S only block away" And
he gave the directions so explicitly,
that there might be no danger of the
lady returning to him. AS she thanked
him and withdrew, she turned again,
and hastily writing few lines upon
scrap of paper, said: One favor more,
Bobby. Do you know Mr.. Silvan, a
friend of Mr.. Conrad 20
ooh, yes, miss; he comes here most
every day. My, amt he swell
thought"
"Never mind, Bobby; just hand him
this note, please" and she departed.
The faint tones of lady's voice in
conversation with his office boy had
reached the lawyers ears, and he was
heartily congratulating himself upon his
| c,,N,1aool frap, ha boob
when Bobby, with placid grin, ap-
peared at the door.
"She's been, and gone, SIR" he an
nounced, exultantly. And here's
note she left for Mr.. Silvan."
"a note? How strange! What did
she say, boy 20
And Bobby proceeded to relate all
that had occurred, much to the con-
cealed amusement of his employer, who
chuckled inwardly at the boys success,
and mentally resolved to educate him
further, that he might serve to protect
him from unwelcome visitors in the
future.
A few moments later the Office door
opened again to admit Mr.. Silvan, the
genial young barrister, who exclaimed:
Hello, Conrad! How are you? Got
my note, l suppose? But what have
you done with my sister? l thought
she might be here"
"Note? Your sister? l am sure /
don't know" answered Bertram, some
what bewildered. "My only lady visitor
to-day has been a book agent, whom
Bobby disposed of; but what was
strange, she left this note for you,
probably petition" and Conrad tossed
it over to his friend, who received it
with an exclamation of surprise, fol-
lowed by peal after peal of hearty
laughter, which finally subsidized so as to
enable him to gasp
g 1t is the richest thing 1 ever heard
of. Read this, old fellow, and see what
you have done; then, when you have
sufficiently recovered, come over to the
hotel" and so saying he hastily de-
parted, calling back, "Can't stop now,
will explain later"
Bertram Conrad took the note which
his friend had tossed over to him, and
read as follows:
"Dear Bub:-What very uncivil man your
friend is to refuse to see me after your re-
questl But 1 will not condemn him quite
until you have seen him. and heard the ex-
PLANTATION which may be forthcoming. Come
as soon as you receive this to the Union de-
pot, where l shall wait for you. Hastily,
RAE"
Bertram's dismay rendered him
speechless, and when he recovered
himself somewhat, it was to seize hat
and coat and rush frantically in the di-
rection of the hotel where he and Sill
van boarded.
emo danger of meeting her." he
calculated, "for the train must have
left ere this, thank fortune; but L must
see Silvan and apologize, for | have
made fool of myself, and no mistake;
but there is some excuse, did not get
Silvan's letter. 1t may, however, have
come in the last mail; / will return and
see. Sure enough, here it isl
Bertram opened the missive and read
as follows:
" Dear Conrad:-I expect my sister this
afternoon on her way West and unfOrtu-
nately have an imperative business engage
ment which may make me late at the train
As she is stranger in the city do not like to
leave her to find her way alone, so told her
in case l should be missing, to step across
the street to your office, where would join
her Immediately. Will you kindly take
charge of her until come? Pardon the in
trusion, if such it be, and oblige your friend
LLOYD SYLVAN"
Retracing his steps, Bertram reviewed
the situation-an embarrassing one, to
say the least; but the harm was done,
and all that remained was for him to
hasten with his apology.
"And heaven forbid that Jack should
ever hear of this blunder!" he ex-
claimed. cpd never hear the last of it !"
Anxious to have the somewhat try
ing ordeal over with as soon as posi-
BILE, he quickened his steps and was
soon at the hotel, where, running up the
wide stairs two at a time, he rushed
into his friends apartments on the
fourth floor, saying:
Lloyd, old fellow, can you ever for
give my stupidity? Pm awfully sorry.
1t all happened in this WISE" and he
proceeded to relate what we already
know regarding Jacks book agent, and
what came of his disastrous attempt to
evade her.
Lloyd, who had laughed most heartily
over his sisters account of the proceed
/ ing, now INDUCED in such merriment
that Bertram, Notwithstanding his awk-
ward dilemma, laughed too, until both
' were forced to stop from sheer ex-
haustion. Then, after a few moments
spent in vain endeavors to gain theil
wonted equilibrium, Lloyd advanced