Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-09-25
Two LETTERS.

Grant. "Wgs it bold or uuwomanly in m,
TO walk down 30 the gate with him to
niQhtf Ought 10 have hidden him goodby
here in the parlOri let | don't think h'
will misconstrue my conduct, for-I think
he likes me"
| And what did Calcott Brown think a,
he was whirled through the sleeping moon
light landscapes by the swift impetus OF
steamS
And when the finty hearted conductor
broke In the delicious thread Of his mus
ings with "Boynville" Calcott wondered
what had become Of the hours.
His carriage was ready, with the swift
slender limbed bays and all the way home
he still pondered on Victoria Grants blue
gray eyes
.'if she were only waiting TO welcome
mew he exclaimed half aloud as the car
riage stopped before the Ionic portico of the
stately old stone mansion on the hill.
"Somehow the place never seemed so utter
| ~ lonesome 10 me before.
"Why didn't ] ask her tonight when !
| stood there with her little apple blossom Of
| hand in miuey Because ] was coward.
| could no more have spoken out the ques-
| ton nearest TO my heart than / could have
| burst into an original Greek chorus"
He sat few minutes In dreamy, thought
| full silence, then drew the desk closer TO
him.
as Bryan down stairs, Mrs Tennantt"
IL believe he Is, sir"
"Tell him to carry these two letters to be
post Immediately"
"Yes, SIR"
Mrs Tennant paused In the hall below to
decipher their directions with all the curl
osity Of he larming sex.
Isaac Piummeri That's the man that
wants the master to buy his horse Miss
Victoria Grant, Who's Miss Victoria
Grant, Well, ! should like TO knowp
And musing deeply, with many shakes OF
her head, Mrs. Tennant delivered the letters
To Bryan.
"A letter."
Victoria Grant examined the superscrip
tion and postmark, and then she stole away
to her own room To read it all by herself.
"IIe has written 10 me, she murmured
softly. "Oh, wonder what he says"
She broke open the note and read 1t while
her cheek first grew pale and then fred into
blazing, burning scarlet:
wish you 10 understand once for all that
there is no use In any further interviews be-
tween US. Your decoying arts and specious
smOothness are OF no avail as far as am con-
cerned, and II may save us both some uhpleas-
antness If you understand IL at once. What
could induce you 10 suppose care to possess
creature whose age and appearance are equally
preposterousS trust this note will do away
with the necessity of my seeing you again.
Yours sincerely and frankly.
CALCoTT BROWN.
Victoria dropped the note IA If 1t had
been a thing of fire. She did not shed
a tear; she did not relapse, womanlike, into
Mysteries; she only felt, poor creaturel rs II
band Of redhot iron were pressing on her
forehead and her heart were turned To icel
The clear morning air was blue as sap
phire, the grass was silvered over with hoar
frost, as Calcott Brown walked into the
depot, his overcoat buttoned up to the throat,
almost running against an elderly individ-
ual in rusty garments
Hello, squire. Going TO Brookiieldf"
Mr. Brown nodded stffly.
why, was jist maxim for your house.
You said you'd call and get the answer, but
] know my place "A heap sight too well for
that. And if you've really took sech
dretful fancy to the mare, why"--
The color rushed to Calcott Browns
temples as he snatched the note from Isaac
Plummers by no means lily white hand
and hurriedly glanced over its contents.
Alasl the horrible surmise that had shot
across his mind while the old man was
pressing over IL was but too correct The
note intended for Victoria Grant had been
sent TO Isaac Plummer, the horse jockey
81 won't be hard with ye, SQUIRE" said
the old man, taking huge pinch Of shag
tobacco between his grimy fingers and
thumb, you may have her for $500, though
she's worth more than that any day"
Fire and furies!' muttered Calcott as he
thought of the other horn Of the dilemma,
was ever man such blind, idiotic fool as
| have beenf Here-a ticket for Brookfield,
quickp
The whistle of the advancing train was
almost audible, and as he sprang upon the
| platform he could hear Isaac Plummer
| bawling after him:
"Say SIi5, squire"
The brilliant chrysanthemums in the gar
| den nodded their glowing heads meaningly
at him as he walked up the path; the sun
| shine lay on the doorsteps serenely as he
| knocked on the old eagles head.
| Miss Grants she at homer"
"Miss Victoria is at home, sir, but she
bade me say she would receive no company
| today" said stsid old Hannah, eying the
| gentleman distrustfully.
II must see herl" exclaimed Calcott,
| pushing past the old woman.
miss Victoria bade me say"-began the
servant, but Calcott waited to hear no
more. The next moment he was face to
| face with Victoria Grant herself.
She had risen and stood with one hand
on the table, her face very pale, but com
posed.
"Victorial you will at least hear me In
| my own defenseW
| Il have heard from you, Mr.. Brown"
she said frgidly, extending toward him
| the fatal letter
| lie caught it from her hands and tore it
| into "A score Of pieces.
| This note was never intended for you,
| Victoria Ii was written on business to a
man who has long been annoying me. 1t
was put into the wrong envelope. What
must you have thought Of me- Nictoria,"
The color returned once more To Victorias
cheek, and sitting down beside her, with
her hand not withdrawn from his, Calcott
Brown told her all.-R. *. ii. in Buffalo
| News.