Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-11-19

iOdliy ha'hcd Slrcct, tree to get II
into their heads that that was not the
most desirable way Of making what
ought TO have been a discreet approach
Each was willing that some one else
should stay behind, but was bent on
going him or her self. So they all of
| them went together. Some one, do
not know who, had lent me an aboric-
inal sort Of wrap which I believe was
called burnous;, that covered the
worst of me, but there was still enough
of me visible to make me one Of the
most striking figures in that singular
procession.
From the outside the Villa Hortensc
seemed TO be quite a good-sizcd house.
While people were wondering how we
were going to get in I turned the han
die and opened the door The door led
directly into room. As I entered 7
saw feminine figure passing through
door which was on the other side
Although she looked quite different,
knew that she was Miss Marianne
Tracy. AS I made dash at her she
shut the door with bang, l heard a
key turn in the lock, and bolts shot
home. As the door was a solid con-
struction, apparently six inches thick.
my desire to get through it had to be
postponed. Others had come in after
me, and they we're cycling with surprise
the contents Of the roon-which were
rather amazing There were articles
of clothing which had undoubtedly be-
longed to Miss Tracy. and what is
known as a transformation" which
had probably belonged 10 her, too, to
say nothing Of some odds and ends Of
an extremely intimate kind. The great
discovery was made by Mrs. Seedlings
and her two daughters; they dashed
forward with chorused cry: Faith
er's bag!7
There, on sort Of stool. was the
bag which Mr. Stebbngs had kept in
| his locker, and which had contained
the most valuable possessions Of the
feminine part OF the family. There
were some Of them left still-what the
family seemed TO regard as unconsid-
cred trihes; the articles really worth
having were there no more. They
had probably gone with the lady who
had locked and bolted-on the other
side-that extremely solid door. While
we were assimilating this interesting
fact person CARRIED as a sailor ap-
peared in the doorway and informed
us, at the top Of his voice, that if we
wanted to continue our yachting cruise
we had better get on board at once, as
the boat was on the point of starting.
There was a nice TODD. As no one
wished to be left behind, a common in
clination was shown to rush to the
shore. AS nobody was more eager to
get on board than | was, for divers
reasons, kept we'll to the front We
reached the quay Just as the ships
boat was about 10 put off, and l was
the first one in. They all came tumb-
I ling after me. AS the ship had stayed
there already much longer than she
ought to have done, the captain made
it quite clear that his first duty was to
the owners and that if the Seedlings
family had wished to remain they
might have done so and come on by
another ship. But as their remaining
property was on board and they had
only few pounds on their persons,
, II was not strange that they had not
seen their way to act on the captain S
suggestion. believe efforts were
made by wireless to ascertain the wom-
, ans whereabouts and to regain the
, Stebbngs' gems and that directions
were given to leave no stone unturned
which should bring these things about.
But so far as ] know, nothing ever
came OF what was done,
The yachting cruise went on, under
sort of blight. The truth was that
l had had enough of yachting. and the
one thing for which | craved was 10
have done with this pleasure trip and
get back home. did get back home
we all got back home-and think that
most of us parted from each other in
the hope that we might never meet
again.
About a year afterward ! was in
Bond street when a beautifully attired
lady came out OF shop, and stopped
TO stare at me. could not believe my
eyes-it was Marianne Tracy, though
transformed into quite another being
Her GOODNESS was almost supernatural
1T is Miss Lee, isn't it? I thought
it was I'm so glad to have met you. "
That was all she said, in the sweetest
tone OF voice. Then she got into a
s.. geous motorcar which | had been
conscious had been standing az the
} curb, and as she pulled the door TO she
!, leaned over and said:
by the way, how did you enjoy
that little trip to sea =
Before | could answer the car was
: off What was | 20 do9 | could not
run after it; it was lost in the traffic
before ! had got my wits about me. |
could not give a description of the car
Il had scarcely noticed it, | was not
sure either of the shape or color. That
woman had slipped through my fingers,
merely because her presence of mind
was greater than mine. If I had only
} kept my head enough to take her by
the throat in the middle of Bond street |
A few days later was standing in
one of the Tube stations, when a
decently-dressed young man came up
20 me and took his cap off.
Excuse me, but aren't you Miss
Lee? | don't suppose you know who
| am, but | remember YOU because of
Miss Balfour.'
Miss Who | asked. | was quite
certain ! had never seen him before :;
he was almost. gentleman and quite