The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-01-03

Il nHu q VHluhDle clue.
AT my request the reporters were not
notified of my loss, for did not care to
figure in the papers as the heroine of
such midnight melodrama. L told the
proprietor of the hotel that l infinitely
preferred to lose the money rather than
gain such unenviable notoriety. He
was quite wiling to accept my decision,
for any publicity given to the robbery
might have injured his house. l felt
sure that Tom would approve of my
course, and when his answer to my full
description of the events of that night
reached me a couple of days later he
said that che could not be thankful
enough that my adventure had been
kept out of the papers,"
On Monday evening to go to recep-
ton at Mrs. Robert Chapman Powell's;
she is charming woman, with an eX-
tended reputation as litterateur. She
has a lovely house, where, on Monday
evenings, she is always at home to her
friends. One finds representatives of
almost every sc in New York in her
rooms. Artists, actors, musicians, au-
thors, dilettanti and bohemians mix on
neutral ground with members of the
ultra-fas hionable four hundred. 1t is
always pleasure for me to 90 to Mrs.
Powell's, for if there be a lion of any
importance, or a star of real magnitude
in town, l am sure to find the celebrity
whom the world is running wild over
comfortably esconsed under this bright
little woman's wing. / arrived at nine
O'Clock, and found the rooms already
comfortably filled. l settled myself in
the embrasure of bay window with an
old friend and from this position had
an admirable view of the assemblage.
Ny friend was pointing out the people
of note, when suddenly felt the blood
leaving my face as l drew back within
the shadow of the curtain. "Who is
that man?" asked, hastily interruptlng
my friend. 81 mean the blonde man
who has Just come in, and is speaking
to Mrs. Powell?'
"Oh, that is Jack Grant"
And who is Jack Grant?" l asked,
mastering my excitement; for, unless
nv ewes were playing me false, the
questionable hero of my recent adven-
ture was before me. There were the
same clear cut features, the same fair
hair and mustache, the same fine
physique. Each line had been i'm
pressed upon my memory such a short
time before that it seemed impossible l
could be mistaken. Jack" l added,
"because there is something strangely
familiar about his face"
" He is an Englishman," answered
my friend. i do not know much
about him. He came over last autumn
and made many friends upon the
steamer. He has charming manners,
and has become popular in society.
Everybody likes Jack Grant, and he
has been invited everywhere this win
ter. | believe he is well come cted on
the other side; l don't quite know TO
whom, however. Grant ID not egotisti-
cal, and almost never talks about him
self. If you have not met him, shall
not ask Mrs. Powell to bring him to
you? He is really one of the most at
tractive men in the rooms"
eyes," l replied, 81 should like
much to meet him. Will you arrange
it, please, if possible, that he may be
name?"
Certainly" my friend replied, as he
left me. He was accustomed to what
he called "my idiosyncrasies," so l
knew he would think nothing of what
mISuI Sccm W dHOIuer ike SITduRo
request.
Left to myself, 1 wondered whether
an extraordinary, clever likeness might
not be playing me false. had heard OF
counterfeit presentments; indeed, had
l not seen Irving in ''The Lyons Mail -?
After all, l was prepared, and if | were
not mistaken he would be taken off his
guard. l had much in my favor, for !
am good amateur actress, and | had
time now to prepare my part. My
thoughts were broken in upon by an
artist, who had discovered my retreat.
While we were having pleasant chat
about the studies, l saw Mrs. Powell,
leaning on Mr.. Grants arm, steering
toward my corner. At.last she reached
us.
my DEAR" she said, 81 cannot let
you leave New York without meeting
one of the most delightful Englishmen
the old country has ever sent US. AL
low me to present Mr. Grant to you"
He bowed and raised his eyes 10
mine. My face greeted him, am sure,
with as innocent and naive expression
as any child's. l caught sudden con-
traction of the pupils of his eyes--it
was like flash, but quick as it was it
taught me all wished to know. Being
brought face to face with me so unex-
pectedly had almost upset his wonderful
self-control. My hostess paused long
! enough to bring us en- rapport-she
was woman born to conduct salon;
: have never met elsewhere such per
: feet social tact-and then she carried
off the artist, leaving strange couple
truly to their fate.
81 beg PARDON" said Mr.. Grant,
, "but Mrs. Powell neglected to mention
} your name when she did me the honor
of presenting me to you. One of my
weaknesses is that l always like to
) know to whom l am speaking. Very
} likely if | were a New Yorker l should
not have to ask, but, being a foreigner
} perhaps it is excusable."
All this was said with perfect frank.
3 ness, and withal there was something
| so open and winning about him that
= could easily understand his popularity
, Even were you New Yorker
Mr.. Grant," l replied, "your ignor
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