Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-06-08
On THIRTY EIGHTH street east, in


the column.
apartments: New, up-to-date, all
modern conveniences, moderate rent"
she nurmured. Expressly designed
for people of refined tastes and limited
means. References required ii am
going to look at them" she finished
with sudden decision. at sounds as If
it would be just the place for auntie
and me-"
On Thirty eighth street, west, in a
"Second-foor front" of shabby
eminently respectable boarding-hO
Major Hilton smoothed across his
knees copy of the same paper, and
read the same advertisement.
by George, I'll do it," he exclaimed
aloud. "And if they're what they pre-
tend to be, I'll send for the little moth
er and-begin to live"
Ten days later, before the door Of q
small apartment house far uptown
stood two furniture vans-a red and
yellow one.
Above the sidewalk, in the twin bay
windows of the second floor, Miss JO-
sephine Barton and Major Hilton
looked out upon a world in which
nothing was familiar save their re-
spective goods being unloaded below.
"NIm-nl-SGmeone has taken that
other suite so soon," unused the lady;
now there are no more to let. Wasn't
l fortunate"
"By George! ~ grumbled the major in
the other window, eyeing his neigh
boris goods. "SpoSe those belong to
the lucky dog who took that south
suire-and only two hours ahead of
me, according to the janitor. Well, if
can't have that I'm mighty glad to
get this" he added, as he turned away
from the window.
Down on the sidewalk an oak cos
tuner and ladys standing WOrkbas-
ket stood side by side. A minute after
they We're thanked by two suitcases,
twins in color, shape and size. Two
minutes later man from the red van
swung the costumer across mis- shout
der and caught up one of the suit
! eases. As had been his custom through
out the afternoon he directed his steps
! toward number three, the south suite
Thus it happened that at six o'clock
| that night, after the men had gone.
| Miss Barton confronted, in the middle
of her bedroom floor, an unfamiliar
unlovely thing of oak and prongs.
"Oh !" she exclaimed, dropping Imply
back into the nearest chair. "Why,
that isn't mine"
Across the hall, the major in his bay
window, was cutting the cords around
a paper-cOyered object that stood per-
maps two feet tall before him.
'Why, what don't remember-this
can't-Well, by Jove" he finished, as
the wrapping fell away and disclosed
Il lady'S workbasket, dainty in white
enamel and gold. well, by Jove"
In the south suite Miss Barton rose
to her feet.
1T must belong in number four"
she mumnured, circIing around the
vantageOus point o. view. what an
ugly thing still | fancy it is con-
venient. II ought to take it home,
suppose" she added, looking furtive-
ly at the door.
"Humph!" calculated the major
across the hall, his eyes on the basket.
Rather neat-that! Mm-m; looks
honey, and as if buttons were seWed
on. Belongs to that lucky beggar in
the south suite, l suppose. Seems to
me he's gOt-well, when little mother
comes, I'll look honey, and my buttons
will be SeWeG.
And he caught up the basket and
started for the hall door. The next
moment he came face to face with his
own image in the mirror of the hat
rack.
Great Scott!" he cried, dropping
the basket. "Where's that suitcase
can't go looking this way!"
"Ill just change my stock" decided
Miss Barton in suite three, as She
picked up Il tan leather suitcase and
snapped the spring.
oh" she gaSped. "Oh-Oh-h!"
"By Joye" exploded the major
across the hail. "Well, by Jovew
Before Miss Barton's Mortified eyes
lay mans vest, two neckties, a nest
of collars and an immaculate, gIisten
ing shirt-front; before the majors lay
fluff of lace and linen a glimpse OF
pink and pale blue, and on top, as il
hastily thrust there, Il pair of black
Kid slippers,
"Oh !" shattered Miss Barton, anC
closed the Lag with Il snap. Not Sc
the major. For moment he gaZet
in blank stupefaction; then he slowly
reached out his hand, picked up on,
Of the slippers laid it across his palm
and raised his hand to the level Of his
eyes.
Hmm and that's neat too" he
said softly; then whimsical twinkle
came into his eyes. Not even the
little mother will bring-like that" h,
whispered.
The distant click Of a door brought
the major suddenly to himself, ant
sent crimson flood to neck and brow
In marvelouSy short time he haC
flung wide his door and was stridin.