The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-25
AT SIMPSONS.

young fellow OF the hotel clerk.
"Ahl what name?" demanded that
elegant functiOnary, not because he had
not heard perfectly well, but to find time
TO lounge over the ten feet intervening
between himself and the letter boxes.
The name WIS repeated in a sharp,
quick tone.
No; nothing"
"Please look in c."
The clerk stared; wondered what was
up; reflected that the new conner had
brought but lite baggage; mentally
resolved to keep an eye ON him ;,shutiled
over the letters in the "C'' box; shook his
head, and then Ielapsed into an armchair
overcome with the exerton.
Frank took the elevator, let himself
into his room, Lit a cigar, reflected, and
then swore.
Eight years in Europe, home at last,
summer well under way, fair inherit
ance, principally in Chicago property,
and prospect of being independent OF
his brush for the rest of his life-such
were the time and circumstances under
which he found himself. Nothing to
swear at in that.
But moderate wine bill, the tips to
the walters and bad run of luck ut the
pools, made upon the miles run in each
twenty-four hours On the voyage over,
had exhausted the gold remaining in his
pocket after he had paid his passage
money. His lawyers and the executors
of his late Aunt Mirandas estate had
been instructed, however, by the previous
mail to remit money to him at the Bruins
wick. so that was matter of no moment.
| But the remittance had not arrived
Most Of his baggage had been expressed
to Chicago from the hold Of the big
Cunarder, and in it the address of his
new lawyers,
"'My lawyers sounds WE'LL" he re-
hected, "but | wish to the deuce they'd
send me some money"
Tuesday came, but with it no letters.
Ii became annoying, but still he could
wait. Presently he went out for a stroll
found it warm, and cursed the luck that
kept him from getting away from the
heat and dust to Newport, where he was
TO Join some friends with whom he had
spent the winter in Rome.
Entering the hotel, the clerk handed
him a letter. Ah!-money at last. No;
it was note, addressed in an Anglo
Boston hand:
| 'Dear Mr.. Van Cleef:
Come and dine with us tonight. We
saw your arrival in the Parthia's passen-
ger list in the morning paper, and are
anxious to know how you are and where
you are going to spend the summer
Come at 7. Dining by sunlight is like
PLAYING tea 50 we cat late.
Yours sincerely, MARIE.
"No. 2S West 44th street"
"Now, who the -; Marie, Mafie--I
don't know amy Marie, especially any
Marie who is particularly Interested in
me, and who writes charming note,
saying things which with women pass fo1
wit, and, smelling Of the paper, who
uses extract of violet literally. Well
Tll be sure to 60; it may divert my mind
from my pccuniary embarrassment. III
have to make clean breast of it to the
clerk soon, and probably be arrested fol
u swindlcr. A man who expects remit
tances and don't know his lawyers ad
dress, who has no baggage and want.
money TO get to Chicago with, looks
like a sublimely cheeky confidence
man.
"Evening dress; claw-hammer coat
etc., but no gloves, no ties; why, money
is momentary necessity, by Jove!" said
Frank, as he took these articles from hi.
trunk.
Il can't go to dinner and find out my
unknown friends if | don't have gloves
Oh. if there was only Mont de Pirte ir
New York-by Jove, Simpsons! | will
arise and 90 unto my uncle and say unt(
uncle. Lend me SlO.'"
Frank laughed then grew sober again
} There was a sense of degradation in the
mere idea. Then, with shrug, he though
needs must when the devil drives, anc
taking ont a box Of jcweiry, none of i
expensive, he turned it over.
= 'Hello, here's Just the thing" h,
thought as he took out locket. 1t wa
an odd affair, cameo with the head o
the Savior on it. Around it coiled
= golden serpent, with brilliantly enamele,
= scales and pair Of "p;geon's-blood" rub
-. eyes. Frank had picked it up in a littI
I shop in London Just before he sailed 70
+ home. 1t was one of the fancies in whic
r he had begun to indu &c himself when h
, received the first remittance from III
t new lawyers and new property.
e This bauble is principally accountab1
= for my being short of money" he though
G 81 will make it rememb me-" On I'll
d back of the quaint old locket were ii
d initials "N. d. V" and below them IN
{ f." There had been a picture in it one
:, but there was left only the marks Of Il
~ knife with which it had been pried ou
a 1t was growing late, and calling a hac
Il Frank jumped in and told the driver
:. take him to the new Courthouse. Arrive
p there he told the driver to wait, passt
ID through the building and out the 9th
1t door, walked briskly to Simpsons, he.
Y tated a moment, bOlted in the door, Al
e in a moment stood in box at the countt
! where poor woman was pawning son
ST clothing for food. Frank shuddere
m drew out the lockct and Lid it down.
Ic A dark man took it up, looked at
u turned 1t over, scrutinized the initia
Il tested the gold Oh a corner and said,
y conicaliy:
y GLOW much"
a "1en dollars"
OF The man turned away, made out t
as ticket handed Frank the money and
Y duplicate ticket, and turned TO the Nc
~ conner.
Le. With sigh at the atmosphere of n
cry hanging around the place, from
ca dark corners of which the hollow faf
he of the spectors of want and star
ne -, -..n,..nl lnnrinu. nI him Ernnl. nas.