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Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 23, 1 September 1894, Page 11

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ROBERT’S CORRESPONDENCE

(Bt Katchbn.) Arthur Larrie was an orphan, and an ill-paid bank clerk. He lived in a hoarding house, kept by a respectable old lady named Mrs Thomson. One morning, as he and the other hoarders were at breakfast, Molly, the servant girl, brought in the letters. One was for Arthur. Opening it hurriedly—letters were somewhat rare luxuries to Arthur—he read: « Meet me to-night by the old tree at seven. Devotedly yours, B.” ** Whatever does this mean ? ” he exclaimed, forgetting for the moment that he was not alone. “ What does what mean ?” from his companions, soon brought him to Ibimself.

« Oh, nothing,” Arthur answered hastily, “I am just surprised at the contents of my letter. “ Nothing serious, I hope,” said he, sympathetically. “Not at all,” said Arthur, as he rose from the table. All day long he kept pulling this extraordinary letter from his pocket, but he could make nothing of it, so he said to himself, 44 I’ll toss up to see whether I am to go or not.” Pulling out a penny (he had more pennies than shillings) he said, 44 Heads, I go; tails, I don’t.” Heads won, so that settled it. Accordingly, at half-past six, he set out for the tree, which he knew well, and which was in the middle of an old paddock a little way out of town. As he walked along, deep in thought, ;.an idea presented itself to his mind. What if I climb the tree and await results ? Arthur had arrived a little out of wind and also a little before seven. No sooner had he settled himself comfortably in his elevated seat, than he perceived a figure coming swiftly in the direction of the tree. “ She is coming, at any rate,” he muttered. Scarcely had he uttered these words than he discovered that she was a man; and judge his surprise when he recognised his old school chum, Robert McKay, a young farmer •who lived on a small farm a few miles out of town. “ Someone has been playing a trick on us both,” thought Arthur. However, he kept silence till he would see what followed. Meanwhile the object of his observation stalked backwards and forwards, and in evident impatience by. the way he kept pulling out his watch. At last, rage getting the better of kim. he exclaimed aloud — 44 Ten minutes past seven; bother it, why can’t she come ? I expect that old father of hers is ill again.” Arthur, taking no notice of the latter part of the soliloquy, answered from his perch—“ It strikes me she won’t come to-night, or any other night.” “ What the thunder ” began JBob, seeing the form of a man struggling in the tree. He could get no further for amazement, but as he recognised his old chum he exclaimed : “ Halloa, Arthur, how on earth came you there ?” 44 On the'same errand as yourself,” .he returned. 44 Whatever do you mean ?” continued Bob. For answer Arthur pulled the letter from his pocket, and showed it to the still amazed Bob. 44 Great Scott !” thundered Bob ; 44 however did you become possessed of my letter ?” 44 Oh ! she sent it,” replied the amused Arthur. 44 But,” continued the other, 44 1 sent it to her.” 44 What!” said Arthur; 44 1 got that from Molly, the servant girl. It came by the post this morning.” 44 Oh ! 4 ’ replied the horrified farmer, 44 I see it all. Yesterday I wrote two letters —one to you, asking you to spend your holidays with me; and the other to —well, never mind whom. I must have put them in the wrong envelopes.”