The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-05-24
" bold the candle iit was blessed. b,

the way, nut up abOVe my nea0 car
ried 1t at ease, while my eyes searched
the mirror; and, believe it or not. from
its clear depths, as If from the waters
OF the past, looked Charley.
"Rose!" and the voice was Charley's
"Oh, Charley" and the arms that
EMBODIED me were Charley's.
A brief interval, all that life ever
yields us, was given to rapture, and
then realism ramped upon the scene
Remembering my first trying vigil,
murmured with awe:
How did you get in?'
Just as l did four years ago"
-Four years ago"
Fact! | never break an engagement
with IA lady, even my sweetheart: but
j am as polite as punctual Cat times)
and as another gentleman had you in
his embrace on that occasion ! very
considerably (as thoughD retired. I
took the o'clock train that morning
and went back to--well. Dantes In
ferno," he said. joyousy. But,
strange to say, that man is the cause
of my being here"
"Ch, Charley" with shndder at
that frightful episode; Il don't under
stand-explainl What did make you
come at last?"
We'll, it seemed worth while to
make a little journey Of two or three
thousand miles fti the sake of few
explanations. Bess reason of all.
wanted to see you, to hold you in my
arms. Saddest reason of all, | wanted
to get on my knees and beg your par
don. | felt like shooting myself when
! knew. 1t was temperament. and
couldn't stop myself
"But tell me, how did he-who is he
what has he to do with it?'
Tomorrow, sweet"
"No, tonight"
well. about two months ago a man
calling himself Horace Armistead
came to Boonvilla He was a tall,
handsome, melancholy individual, very
reckless. very wild - fascinating,
thOu gh; sort of careless style about
him, a certain nonchalant frankness
that would make you share your last
crust with him and give him your last
red copper What are you blushing
about? And honestly | am glad that
urgent private business compelled him
to pass. on flying trip. incog, but
l am anticipating.
"Mr. Armistead very promptly got
into a difficulty in Boonville, when it
fell in my way to render him a slight
service. Six weeks ago or Whereabouts
he dropped in on me one evening, bag
in hand. to bid me good-by. and to
thank me for what he was pleased to
call my Kindness 70 him.
He was going-by the way, he
didn't say what was his destination
no natter Your picture was hanging
over the shelf that served as a mante
in my rude quarters (you see, | had left
it there, hoping it would make good
woman-hater of mel, and as soon as he
saw that picture he made sudden
movement toward it--almost a jump
it was He controlled himself and sat
down again, but he could look at moth
ing else
THAT is a striking likeness, he
said, at last it might have been taken
for her---of the most beautiful woman
] ever saw spent but one hour in
her society but will never forget her.
Interesting, romantic | murmur-
ed II strikes me l would not have
been satisfied with one hour; | would
have continued the acquaintance
There must have been something
compelling in my desire to hear that
story, for he added:
ut happened this way: was
fugitive. Why? No matter'--and ho
looked dreamily at the curling smoke
wrath of that past to which he re-
ferred I was passing in disguise
through strange city. To elude those
who were spying upon me, entered
at night certain house in "A quiet
quarter of the town. did 1t in
the most natural way in the world
simply raised the latch Of a door
which through some oversight, per-
haps. had been left unlocked 1t was
roomy old place, and there didn't
seem to be many people about; In fact,
it was occupied by an elderly couple
and their daughter. Toward midnight
l left my hiding place and entered the
parlor
81 had been there short time
when. providentially. as it turned out,
a lady stole in. She had some Difficult
ty in getting about in the dark, but
she finally struck match, lit candle,
and looked into big mirror that was
hanging at one end of the room. What
in the mischief she did it for can't
conceive-can you? | have wondered
a hundred times what brought her
there! it was my good angel. | sup
pose.
81 shall never forget her look OF
terror when. as she held the candle
above her head, she saw me behind
her. / didn't want any cutlery, and /
did not want to terrorize her; put my
arms about her. for she could hardly
stand, and grasping the candle, | beg
ged her to be calm. When she be-
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