The man replied that he did not know for certain. He thought he had gone to New York to join Mr. Sherwood.
So Annette went down the steps, after leaving her card for Mrs. Fleming, and her young heart was very heavy as she walked toward a vine-wreathed arbor in the grounds, thinking she would rest there a while before starting on the long walk home.
And just as she entered the beautiful rose bower her betrothed, Ray Dering, came in at the street gate and saw her going in. His heart thrilled with joy, and he resolved to slip up unawares and give his darling sweetheart a most charming surprise.
But Letty Green, Mrs. Fleming’s sharp little maid, had overheard Annette’s conversation at the door, and, having more than her share of feminine curiosity, she resolved to find out something more about Annette’s interest in Mr. Bain, thinking it might be a nice bit of gossip to tell her mistress while she was dressing her hair that night, and perhaps be the means of her getting a cast-off silk gown.
So she ran breathlessly after Annette, and rushed into the arbor, exclaiming:
“Did you want to know Mr. Bain’s address so very bad, miss?”
Annette turned, and saw such a kind, sympathetic face that she clasped her little hands dramatically, saying:
“Oh, yes, indeed; for I wished very—very much to see Mr. Bain, and I am cruelly disappointed that he has gone away without letting me know. It is very sad, very unfortunate, that he went away so soon; but if I can get his address so as to mail him a letter at once, I shall be very thankful to you!”
Any one not knowing the circumstances of the case might have supposed, from Annette’s impulsive words and tearful eyes, that she was desperately in love with Dallas Bain, and that he had basely deserted her. The artful maid received that impression, and so, alas! did the jealous lover listening outside the bower.
Letty Green smiled, and said artfully: