The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-02-22
John Blunt S
Infatuation
By ESTHER VANDEVEER

John Blunt, gentleman's valet by
profession, Just now out Of position,
was going up to his room on the fourth
floor of tenement house when be no
ticed dainty glove on the stair be-
fore him. Seeing a figure In skirts
ahead of him, he picked up the glove
and, fastening on, asked the comely
Young woman he overlook IL the glove
belonged to her. She smtlingly ac-
knowleaged that 1t did and thanked
Mr.. Blunt accordingly. Moreover, he
noticed or fancied he noticed look
OF admiration in the young woman's
ewes, which was not surprising, for he
was good looking man.
81 'aven't seen you in the building
before" said John. Ave you been
ERE long"
.'Honly a few days. Me and my
mother ave couple o. rooms on the
next floor above, but I'll not be ere
very long. I'm looking for place"
"What kind of place."
"a lady's maid"
"Mebbe / can 'elp you to that I'm
valley myself when I'm at work and
know lot o. swell folks
IF you do, please let me know. I'm
In No. o on the next floor above"
The very next day MIR. Blunt rap
ped at No. and was admitted by
an elderly woman, who called out
susan and in came the young wo-
man he had met the day before. He
said he had called TO get some infor-
nation as to what wages she woulo
expect and other items OF like nature,
but in reality he was DESTROYS or form
ing Susan's acquaintance.
There are trifers among the lowiy
as well as among the swells, ana Mr..
Blunt was bent on an AFFAIR with the
pretty lady's maid. He called often.
and his attentions appeared to be high
ly appreciated. Susan seemed Dit
fond of finery and jewelry, and Mr..
Elunt considered himself fortunate In
being able to crafty her, especially IN
the matter Of jewelry. He made her
presents of a few inexpensive orna-
ments, but they did not seem to satisfy
her. John found her very fascinating
and In order to gain her good will pro-
duced articles OF greater value. Finally
he found himself so deeply Infatuated
that he proposed marriage.
To his surprise Susan refused him.
Nevertheless from time to time she
gave him encouragement TO hope that
abe might reconsider her refusal. she
said that she had expensive tastes and
was afraid that he would not be aDie
10 crafty them. She limited at a suit
or. a plumber. who had made a great
deal Of money, but she did not love
him. Nevertheless she was thinking
OF marrying him because he could give
her what she crayed-jewels.
Upon this John SHE'D of for awhile.
Susan didn't seem to mind the change
in bis attentions 10 her a bit Indeed
she scarcely noticed him when they
met. One day she told him that she
was In receipt OF handsome presents
from the plumber and she expected
proposal.
Soon after she had told John this he
came 10 her one day with a brooch
containing several large diamonds. tell
ing her That his last master. stock
broker had given him tip by which
he had made a lot Of money. de had
spent a part Of It for his beloved su.
san.
susan's eyes sparkled with pleasure
II seeing the ornament She put II on
and admired 1t and herself In a mirror.
"You look Hpe in Il, Susan. said her
loyer. I'm SO Apply at my luck IN
making the money TO buy IL for you
seeing as 'ow now you needn't ave 10
give yourself TO the plumber"
But Susan did not quite acoede to
the proposition. John begged her 10
end his suspense and agree TO marry
him, but she said that the expense OF
living was rising every day and she
was afraid that without a permanent
income they would come TO grief She
would rather remain single and be
Iady's maid than be married and In
poverty.
But John ala not despair, for her
love for jewelry seemed 20 him 10 have
been born in her. and bis old master,
the stockbroker. gave him another tip
and hs made more money. This time
he gave Susan a bracelet. a serpent
with ruby eyes. Again Susan was de
lighted and seemed 70 warn; but
ttough ON the verge Of consenting. she
did not consent
one day John called 10 see his love
when she was not az home. Her
mother received him and said 20 him.
I'm doing ell ! can FOR you. John.
with Susan. PerEevere and you'll win.
Irs the Jewels that's doing T. I"
After THIS John became reckless In
bis gifts. and before long Susan pos-
.essed Jewels enough 20 decorate
duchess.
one day when John called 81 No ?
Be eiicited no response. He tried the
door and found q locked. The sane
evening be tried n seain with NE
result when q couple - days bad
passed ana No. . vas stan locked John
made I'D his mind that something wss
wroue. He disnppeared himself
euaau had returned 20 the hnfue - E
wealthy woman with whom SIZE lived
a. her raid A friend ~ TITS lhev.