Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-08-31

himself. Il wouldn't have Adelaide
know of this for the world; and her
tather-oh, wouldn't it be nuts to him!
With such a foundation, how easily
the old man could concoct story, or
at least give his opinion regarding the
real facts of the case, in such a way as
to ruin my character in her eyes forev-
er. No, it won't do.'
Mr. Toodleman sighed, surveyed
himself in the mirror for one moment,
as if to take a farewell look at his
mothers only son, and then reluctant
ly began to attire himself in Mrs Gill
dads apparel
For wonder, that lady's gray trav-
cling dress fitted him remarkable well +;
but that was easily accounted for by
the fact that she had probably taken
bis clothes in preference to those of any
other guest because they fitted her.
| Il don't look bad,' cried Dick, once
more surveying himself in the glass af-
ter dressing.
Luckily, the Dickens Fascination
Fledgedly, my face is as smooth as a
girls and my hair-why can part it
in the middle just so,' suiting the ac-
tion to the words, with lHtle-quirl-
up-w what-d'ye-call-um on each side, and
wfo the deuce would ever suspect that
this was Richard Toodleman !? Why.
even Adelaide would not know me-
In truth, our Dick would make re-
markable handsome woman; and it is
really a wonder that he did not like
Narcissus, fall in love with his own
image reflected in the mirror
Fortunately, his pocket-book and
watch which he had placed under his
pillow, before retiring, had not been
| molested, as Mrs Gildad had probably
been too anxious to secure perfect
| disguise to run any further risk than
| was necessary to obtain that alone.
And now Dick having completed his
| toilet, rang the bell and called for the
clerk.
The clerk came, and Dick asked for
his bill, and expressed the wish that
carriage might be called to convey him
to the depot.
All right said Mr. Snodgrass, al
though be didn't look as if he thought
it was all right by any means, for he
was perfectly sure he had booked
gentleman for that room the night be-
fore, and how the deuce it happened
that he found woman there was a
question that he couldn't answer to bis
satisfaction at all. 5ssa.s...1
All right repeated the clerk, i sup
pose you'll have breakfast before you
go, ma'am p
No, have hardly time to reach the
train now,' repeated Dick, in the soft
est voice he could assume. My bill if
you please
'Ah, yes, your name is
Mrs. Richard Toodleman.'
oh, remember III I'D
But he didn't; and the name only
confused him more, for it was Richard
Toodleman on the book, and he could
have sworn five minutes before that he
had seen gentleman write it. j
After another pause, in which he
was vainly trying to clear his puzzled
brain, he retired in great bewilder-
ment, knocking over two chairs in his
exit, while attempting to keep his eyes
ON Dicks face and get out of the room
by the sense of feeling alone.
But the clerk was as much puzzled
as ever, when, after paying his bill,
our hero left the house for the railroad
station, and all the forenoon be was
asking himself how it was possible
that he could put gentleman into a
room at night, and find no one but
lady there in the morning.
Dang it! this thing isn't all right
muttered Mr.. Snodgrass. L don't
like the looks OF it. There's mystery
about this affair, and must get to the
bottom of it,
But, meantime Mr.. Toodleman had
reached the station, got abroad the
cars, and was sweeping toward Milli-
kinville.
is this seat engaged, ma'am.
Dick looked up to find a corpulent,
red-faced, white-haired old gentleman
smiling down at him in q paternally
affectionate way, who, having attract
ed his attention, repeated his question.
No, sir, | am travelling alone an
swered Dick, at the same time remark
ing to himself in the language of Jen-
ME Wren, 4 know your tricks and
your manners
The corpulent gentleman crowded
down into the seat, in such way as
to face his companion, remarking as he
did 80 on the severity of the late
storm.
Yes, l was det aimed at Umbagog
on account of it, said Dick.
'Ah; indeed I remember ct W
fearing that | should not be able to
get home before to-day, even if had
made the attempt. Are you travelling
far?'
No, sir
Mighty reserved thought the old
gentleman, but decidedly good look
ing
What an old fool = thought Dick,
Il believe he's going to make love
to me : and he jammed his handker-
chief into his mouth for fear of laugh
ing in the old boys face.
'Ahem-I-it strikes me, ma'am,
that I've met you somewhere BEFORE
remarked the corpulent gentleman,
with one of his most effective smiles
And your face looks very familiar
to me, replied Dick
There's a roguish twinkle in her
eyes, but, oh, how modestly she blush
es,' thought the old gentleman, as he
handed his card to our hero
Dick read the card. 1've heard of
you very often, sir
Yes, am pretty well known in
this vicinity returned the old gentle
man, swelling up Ii Ike the frog in the
fable