St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-01-07
MISCELLANY.
Written for the CALEDoNIAN-]
A PROBABLE SOLUTION.

Seated in a semi-circle around a
fire which burned cheerful
" in the open CRATE. The lively con-
Eersation was unexpectedly inter
rupted by sharp ring of the door
bell. Instantly, all was hushed into
Silence. Each one listened for the
Voice at the front door. Little
Z Tommy had gone to see who was
t here.
Hello, Tommy" said a tall gentle
man, familiarlv, when the door was
Opened. as Miss Annie at home ?"
Yes" replied the little fellow
#"Come in, and I'll tell her"
The tall gentleman walked into
Y the parlor, and took a seat, while
b Tommy made his way back to the
4 dining-room, where his sister Annie
4 met him at the door to inquire who
1 the caller was, although it must be
Z confessed she had already some vague
q misgivings as to his identity. Tommy
answered his sisters questioning
look with a knowing smile, and
& said Mr.. Lee wished to see her in the
2 parlor. Annie threw a cape about
q her shoulders, and left the room.
Mr.. Lee rose to meet her. They
shook hands cordially, and exchang-
Z ed pleasant words of greeting. Mr..
E Lee was about to resume his chair
i when Annie stopped him with a
4 gesture.
1T is cold here she said. Come
81 into the library. There is a good fire
there, and no one to enjoy it. 1 am
III glad you came around"
Thanks" said Mr.. Lee; "but |
am not here to make a regular call.
Faust is on the stage tonight, and [
Y thought you would like to go.
d Would you? What do you say?"
20 how kind of you," said Annie.
II should like to very much. l will
ask you to take seat in the dining
room till | am ready. shall not be
long"
every WE'LL" said Mr.. Lee. 1T is
now ten minutes past seven. We
must be there by eight o'clock. 1t is
quite little distance, you know"
Annie repeated that she would not
keep him waiting long, and led the
way to the dining-room. Mr.. Lee
E.
chatting with the family in general.
During the Misunderstanding which
ensued, Annie made her escape from
the room.
The first apartment in the ell of the
house was daintily fitted up. The
furniture was all of the la test pattern
The soft colors of the modest carpet
blended appropriately with the tint
ed ceiling The walls, ornamented
with beautiful paintings which were
draped with Kensington scarfs, ex
hibited everywhere the handiw orb
of feminine fingers. Indeed, all sorts
of fancy work and embroidery met
side was sufficient to inspire one with
a feeling of sacredness. This apart
ment was a young lady's boudoir
and the young lady was Miss Annie
Warren
When Annie reached the second
floor, she went singing away to he1
room. She tripped across to the
opposite side, and lighted the gas
She stood musing for a mo
ment by the mantle. Then she turn
ed around, and began to cast he1
eyes about on the illumined splendOl
of her little retreat. Suddenly, sh'
uttered a piercing shrek. and fel
heavily to the floor. Both cry anC
fall were heard below stairs. TIL,
family rushed in terror to the scene
Mr. Lee was the first to reach the
place where Annie lay. A moment
later, all were bending over her
She was limp and cold. In breat hles!
haste, hundred questions were pu
at once. No answer came. While
Mr. Warren was asking what hao
happened, Mrs. Warren crying tC
heaven for her child's sake, and tn,
children weeping bitterly, Mr.. Lee
tenderly raised the PROSTATE form
and placed it on sofa. Mrs. Warner
knelt by her daughters side, ano
watched her closely. At first, ne
sign of life appeared. Then a gentl
heaving of the bosom was seen
The loving mother applied her ear t.
her child's heart. 1t was still beat
ing. Here, words fail to pictur
Mrs Warren'S look She ha(