The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-01-24

me 10 recognise you ~ promptly, Il
has bc~n icn years since saw you
aud time makes great changes, docsn'i
~"
Yes" asscuted and looked az hei
with wondering eyes, A problem, deet
aud mesplicahle, toFcel Itself upon
me, "ios about recognition on my
partT
There w,.s prompt relief, however,
"of course you" she continued. with
all those photographs Tom has
Why. | would have known you any
wh~er' ! Interrupted boldly.
There was nothing cninngiing In the
conversation thus fnr. and ! am sure
there was nothing la u TO my credit
In the role Of the visiting young gen.
tlcman. She was waiting for me TO
join her In the trap, but | was too OBJ
tuse 10 see H. and a verbal Invitation
was necessary.
When the die was cast and, trapped
l sat down by her side II was with a
reckless. intoxicating feeling There
was the delicious consciousness of sit
ting by beautiful glrl--a stranger
who, by her manner. opened 10 me, ns
10 an intimate friend. nm Innocent
wlnsomc nature. I cared not how the
affair might end, ouly that ! might cn.
Joy II to the full for brief length OF
time, We drove through the main
streets of the town; our destination
was evidently suburban home. II
was not long before learned that
was playing the part OF n young Mr..
Gibson, who had been college mate
VI her brother. As 10 his present oc.
cupation | was rather hazy.
She pointed out oil the recent I'm.
provements OF Ethelburg and direct
cd my attention to n number OF her
friends whom we passed. During u
period OF ten years II Is quite natural
for one TO forget great deal. no that
my ignorance and lapse OF memory
were not startling II amused her and
made her more charming through her
feeling OF superiority In that particu-
lar
As we approached the outskirts OF
town was suddenly seized with
sense Of my perilous situation. A cool
wave sufrused me, could not dare to
appear at her home. felt an impulse
to jump and run, which OF itself un-
nerved me. was desperate. and the
girl was talking volubly OF her friends,
her home and herself
My hand wandered TO my pocket In
search Of handkerchief, and 1t was
that small act that saved me. There
was an important letter that intend
ed mailing at once upon my arrival at
81 beg pardon" I said, with a show
Of great surprise, "but I shall have to
return TO the postoflice." glowed
with inward triumph.
"Indeedw she answered. And, do
vou know, have been thinking for
,ome time that ! neglected to go by
my dressmaker's. So we'll return and
perform our missions and then come
back. The weather Is pleasant for
irving, at any rate" she continued
lgreeably, don't you thlnkT'
The observation was one In which
heartily acquiesced, for II was rich,
,almy spring day and formed quite a
;onts~st to tho oooI days from which
had just come. At the moment there |
was an additional inspiration In our
urnlng toward town, for In 1t lay the
rope OF escape.
We made an agreement to meet Mt |
he postoffice within fifteen minutes,
md sprang lightly from the trap,
rayeling bag In hand. I recall vivid
y the conflict of emotions that welled |
within me. They were deep and ear
lest and now seem oil the more anus
ng because of their genulneness. |
vas dizzy with delight to be free
gain, and at the same time was
possessed with mean, skulking sense
4 treachery. stole through side
oor and skunk away to a back street.
nally drifting Into restaurant, which
royed to be little more respectable
han It's outward appearance indicated.
hat was my refuge for an hour.
hated with the proprietor and his
life and incidentally made good bill
trough secret sense Of obligation.
'nged TO slip aboard train and quit
le town forever. Had there been one
} leave ut that hour of the day
'ould undoubtedly have been pas
enger, but there was none until In
le afternoon. and there were several
ours before me.
felt the Importance OF selling some
pods and later made bold to venture
,rth for my sample case at the de-
)t The nrst store ! entered offered
bonanza or luck. thought the old
,ntleman would never close his order.
ut knew II was all right: that the
RMS rating could stand II, and also
iat we had the goods to sell and the
rces TO make them go. We smoked
nd joked for long while. and ] was
ute content not to look for any more
nstomcrs. In fact, TO stay there ap' u
ealed very strongly to my sense OF
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