The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-06-13
Select Story.
AT SIMPSONS.

ANY letters for F. p. Van Ceef" in
nervous, anxious voice, was asked by well
fed, well clothed, close-cropped young fell
low of the hotel clerk
'Ah what name p demanded that ele.
giant 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 was repeated in sharp, quick
tone.
NO, nothing
Please look in &C."
The clerk started; wondered what was up;
reflected that the new conner had brought
but little baggage mentally resolved to
keep an eye on him shuffled over the let
ters in the 'C' box; shook his head, and then
relapsed into an arm chair overcome by the
exertion.
Frank took the elevator, let himself into
his room, lit a cigar, reflected, and then
swore.
Eight years in Europe, home at last sum
mer well under the way, fair inheritance,
principally in Chicago property and fair
prospect Of being independent of his brush
the rest of his life-such were the time and
circumstances under which he found him
self Nothing to swear at in that
But moderate wine bill, the tips to the
walters and a bad run of luck at the pools,
made upon the miles run in each twenty
four hours on the voyage over, had exhaust
ed the gold remaining in his pocket after he
had paid his passage money. His lawyers
and the executors of his late aunt Miranda 5
estate, had been instructed however, by the
previous mail to remit money to him at the
Brunswick, so that was matter of no mo-
ment. 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, sound well he reflected
but wish to the deuce they would send
me some money
Tuesday came but with it no letters. 1t
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. All money at last. No; it was
a note addressed in an Anglo Boston hand,
Dear Mr.. Van Ceef:
Come and dine with us to night. We
saw your arrival in the Parths's passenger
list in the morning paper, and are anxious
to know how you are going to spend the
summer. Come at I. Dining by sunlight
is like playing tea.' so we eat late. Yours,
sincerely, MARIE.
NO. q West 44th street.
Now, who the Marie, Marie-I
don't know any Marie, especially any Ma
rie who is particularly interested in me,
and who writes charming note, saying
things which with woman pass for wit, and
smelling the paper, who uses extract OF
violet literally. Well, I'll be sure to go
it may divert my mind from my pecuniary
embarrassment I'll have to make clean
breast of it to the clerk soon, and probably
be arrested for a swindler. A man who ex-
poets remittances and don't know his law
yer's address, who has no baggage and wants
money to get to Chicago with, looks like q
sublimely cheeky confidence man.
Evening dress claw hammer coat, ETC.,
but no gloves, no ties why money is a
momentary necessity, by Jove p said Frank
as he took these articles from his trunk.
can't go to dinner and find out my un
known friends if l don't have gloves. Oh
if there was only a Mont de Piete in New
York-by Jove, Simpsons ! will rise anC
go unto my uncle and say unto, Uncle, lenC
me SlO.'
Frank laughed and then grew sober
again. There was sense of degradation il
| the mere idea. Then, with a shrug, anC
taking out box ofjewelry, none of it ex
pensiye, he turned it over.
Hello, here's just the thing, he thought
as he took out locket. 1t was an old af
fair, cameo, with the head of the Savio
on it. Around it curled a golden serpent
with brilliantly enameled scales and pal
of pigeons blood ruby eyes. Frank ha,
picked it up in little shop in London jus
before he sailed for home, Ii was one o