Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-10-17

| Miss hartman. 81 icel that she has his
tory. You always tell me, Harry, that /
am the most unromantic being on earth. /
know it, can, however, appreciate ro-
nance in others, though am aware that
you think even that impossible"
Mr. Henshall sighed. lie wondered stu
pidly if Lena would feel interested in his
own brief, pointless romance
lie dimly saw the Jealous demon rappng
for admittance at the smooth doors of Miss
Hartnans placidity lie saw the bafllcd
retreat of this demon lie declined so adj
nil even the possibility OF Miss llartmau's
jealousy
His acquaintance with women was very
slight He imagined that the passionless
affection eyiuced for him 10y his promised
wife was one of those airy trines, the pres
ence or absence of which was but of slight
significance to the welfare Of the woman.
Ore morning Mr.. iIenshall called ct Mr.
Uartman's house, more with the object of
reporting for duty" as he styled it in
mental irony, than with any we'll defined
object in view
Mr.. and Miss Hartman were out, he was
informed Mrs Smith, the chaperon,
was at present the only member of the
family now at home. She was in the draw
ing room, ventured the domestic diacrcetly
Hershall never knew afterward what it
was that prompted him to enter instead of
leaving the conventional card to indicate
his unsatsfed visit
lie told the servant he would stay for a
time and wait the arrival Of the father and
daughter. Then leaving his hat and cane
in the hall he walked to the door of the
drawing room, and with a slight Fremont
tory knock entered.
The room was unlGhted, save by full,
red shaded lamp that cast Il pink efful-
Gence on objects in its immediate neighbor-
hood.
The young man saw seated on low
chair close to the lamp the apathetic form
If Mrs Smith, the chnperon. She had not
heard his knock and remained seated, her
hands folded listlessly in front Of her, her
head bent slightly forward, until the sound
OF his light football reached her ear. Then
with n start she rose and placed her hand
upon the region Of her heart.
you alarmed me, Mr.. Henshall," she
declared with an attempt Mt smile that
was a signal failure. Il did not expect
anybody, because Mr.. Hartman and Lena
have gone out Let me see" hesitatingly.
II think they went to n reception at Mrs.
Van Auken's house on the avenue. Did
you-wish"--
Nothing" interrupted the young man,
with reHssuring smile. Il thought
would come in for few minutes and rest
myself"
The absence of Miss Hartman was by no
means regrettable In fact Mr.. Henshall
felt distinct relief at the respite from
bald platitudes that her visit on the ave-
nue. Afforded him.
He looked at Mrs. Smiths face. She had
evidently been weeping, lie had undoubt-
eddy interrupted painful meditation.
We'll, he reflected, she ought to thank
him for that at any rate That she was not
inclined TO express any gratitude either by
words or by looks was very apparent. 1t
was clear that she did no< consider herself
bound to entertain Miss ITartman's guest.
After few uninterestng remarks ut
tered uninterestinGly, she rose and an
nounced her intention of retiring TO her
room
II leave YOU" she said, provided with a
couple Of readable books, and am sure that
you will find them capital entertainers. OF
course you will wait to see Lena and Mr..
Hartman. l know it would be great dis
| appointment to you if you failed to meet
them"
She accompanied these with faint, sig
ni1lcant smile that was irritatingly visible
TO Nj Henshall. He coored slightly, and
bit the end of his mustache to restrain the
rather impatient retort that rose to his lips.
Mrs Smith moved noiselessly about.
There was the same feline suggestions
about her walk that he had noticed before.
Good night she said indifferently.
AS she passed him something fell at his
feet. He saw it there before him, but made
no effort to pick it up for a few seconds.
Then he stopped and raised it from the
floor. 1t was an old fashioned gold brooch,
ono of those trinkets that we have seen our
grandmothers and great-aunts wear and
have admired in the days of our childhood.
At the back of the brooch was a por-
trait, beautifully colored, standing out CON
spicuously from the dull gold frame.
AS he looked at it Henry Henshall was
conscious Of a mental shock such as he had
rarely received The picture conjured up
a whole train of "reminiscences that for the
last few weeks he had hardly ventured tc
disturb; for in the startling eyes and un-
canny expression of the photographed face
be had no difficulty in recognizing the
man whom he had seen in the Wagner
palace car, and whom he had mentally
dubbed the heavy villain Of the episode
In an instant he was on his feet; hi,
, hand was upon the bell his intention We,
instantly TO send a servant to Mrs. Smith
! summoning her to his presence.
He was spared the trouble. The door
was noiselessly opened and the lady her
self entered the room.
Il dropped my brooch" she said apollo
getically mo, do not trouble" she added
as he made movement. 81 think l know
where to find it."
The young mans heart was beating VIC
lently. He wanted to tell her that he had
r,iclyn1 If nm but was upable tD find tbf
words.
He held it up and tried to speak In al
instant she had snatched it from his hand
r 1904 M Il