The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-06-02
RATHER ROUGH ON MIR. FLUKE.

RATHER ROUGH ON MIR. FLUKE.
Mr.. Endicott Fluke had been spend
ing a convivial evening with few
choice spirits, and was returning to his
lodgings in that serene state of mind in
which a aself-appreciative man is not un-
apt to be when conscious that he has
Just been shining with more than won't
ed briliancy.
He was passing one of the fashion
able theaters, from which a crowd had
lust emerged, when his pleasant medi-
tations were disturbed by the sight of a
richly-dressed young lady seemingly
alone and in great distress.
As Mr.. Fluke drew nearer and saw
how extremely beautiful she was, and
that she was wringing her hands and
weeping bitterly, every fiber of his sem
sitive heart was touched. Errant knight
never fastened with more alacrity to
succor distressed damsels than Mr..
Fluke did to inquire the cause of the
lady's grief.
''What can do to serve you?" he
asked, in his blandest tone, and with
his most perfect bow-a bow on which
he had bestowed months of practice be-
fore full-length mirror bought ex-
pressly for the purpose.
1t was some moments before the
lady's sobs would suffer her to speak.
"Ohi sir, what shall do?'' she man.
aged to say, at last
If you will only tell me your trou-
ble," replied Mr.. Fluke. in voice of
tenderest sympathy, "rest assured
shall do all in my power to assist you"
"Joh-Joh-John she began, but
fresh paroxysm of sobs choked her
utterance.
pray, compose yourself" said Mr..
Fluke, soothingly, "and confide to me
the cause of your distress. You may
trust me implicitly" he added, laying
his hand upon his heart by way of en-
phasis.
"A young man of my acquaintance,
sir was geing to mention his name,
but won't-asked me to the theater
with him. He went out between the
acts, and drank too much and got ar
rested. and here am left alone. Eve
only been little while in the city, and
don't know the way home, for didn't
notice the streets as we came, trusting
everything to John. Oh, I'll never
was an indignant flash in her eyes
which made them look brighter than
ever. Mr.. Fluke thought.
But surely you can tell the street
and number of your residence" he
said.
"Oh, yes; but it's long way of.
and I've no change for car fare, even if
i knew which line to take" And
again she muttered something not very
complimentary to John.
She was beginning to cry again,
when Mr.. Fluke fastened to assure her
there wasn't the slightest reason for
uneasiness.
Give me your address," he said,
"and shall leave you safely at your
door"
"How can ever pay you. sirP'' she
exclaimed, in a grateful outburst.
"The pleasure of having served
you," replied Mr.. Fluke. with a bow
which would have dazzled even him.
self had the looking-glass been there,
"will be the amplest of rewards"
The lady told him her address. 1t
was, as she had said, in n remote
street, but might be reached. with the
exception of little distance. by one
of the city railways. But a street-car,
meath the dignity of the occasion.
/ LIZ OeAAO0 oh0
ed the lady in. His manner was
so genteel and civil that she could not
hesitate; and when Mr.. Fluke had
taken his place at her side after giving
the driver the directions, she heaved a
sigh of relief which proved to Mr..
Fluke how fully he was trusted.
Mr.. Fluke, as the reader may have
surmised, was a very susceptible man.
| He had a way of falling in love at first
sight that had brought him no end of
trouble. 1t had nearly always turned
out that the object of his hastY admira-
ton was under pre-engagement, or
some other obstacle interfered. But he
had a perseUerinq heart. If it found its
| aspirations foiled in one quarter, it lost
no time in turning to another. Here
was fresh opportunity, thrown in his
way by lucky chance, and Mr.. Fluke
determined TO accept the omen.
As they rode along Mr.. Fluke drew
his companion into conversation. There
was an artless simplicity in her words
which quite captiyated him in spite of a
few slips in grammar which would have
grated harshly on his fastidious ear had
| they come from lips less pretty.
At every gas-fght they passed. he
stole another glance at the pleasing
/ AaCC anu az lis oAdOs anu ONCAl
glance the prettier they looked. Poor
Fluke! he was very far gone, indeed.
before half-a-mile was passed.
"Oh! begin to know where / am
now,n the lady said at last, after look
out of the window. "Please set me
down here"
"But l must insist on seeing you
quite home." he replied.
"That'll never do" she answered.
.What if Mrs Tresham found it out?"
Some old duenna of an aunt, no
doubt, thought Mr.. Fluke. Or maybe
they wanted to marry her to that beast
ly John" But no; that should never
be. Mr.. Fluke was quite resolved on
that.
cat least may call and see you some
time," he said, in his most persuasive
manner.
'sOh! that'll never do neither" she
answered, still more decidedly.
"Confound that John! 1t must be
there the trouble lies," reflected Mr..
Fluse ''But there's hope yet, for
hasn't she vowed she'll never speak to
Al. 4