The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-08-09

into our private apartment, with scarce
a thought as to who this stranger might
be. The opening of the door announced
his entrance, when beheld medium
sized man with dark hair and eyes
heavy moustache and closely-cut whis-
kers. and clear though somewhat pal
lid complexion.
mir. Weldon, believer
THAT is my name, | responded, as
much in the dark as to his identity as
ever
why, Bob, don't you know me-" he
asked, observing my puzzled express
sion.
Ned Pierce. as I'm alive and l
grabbed his outstretched hand with a
yigor that made him vince.
"Why. Ned, what under the heavens
ever brought YOU to Paris2 The very
last person in the world would have
dreamed of seeing
"The channel steamer brought me to
France, and naturally drifted to the
metropolis through the medium OF the
steam cars. But how long have you
been in this city,"
Five years last December
And then he told me how it was by
the merest chance that he found me.
Having some financial matters to at
tend to. he had inquired at the hotel
for an American banking house, and
had been given, among several others,
the names of Howe Ralston and Wei
don. Inquiry disclosed the fact that 1t
was none other than his old friend
Weldon of former years, and hence his
seeking me out. or course nothing
would do but that he must accompany
me home, and, as it was then nearly
dinner-time, we started at once.
II have nothing elaborate to offer
Ned" | explained, but my bachelor
apartments are at least comfortable,
and we can talk over old times and have
quiet smoke" NJ,
mot married yet. Weldon
mo, and no prospect of it,"
That's singular | supposed, OF
course, you were married and settled
down long ago"
"Why of cOlrSeW
30, | don't know! No especial reas-
on, only it was one of my air-caStles to
find you Benedict with an interesting
family"
Not any for me, thank you! That
is where your building was at fault.
And your"
The sudden turn | gave to the con-
versation seemed to disconcert him Tor
a moment, and he answered, with a lit
tie bitter, ironical laugh:
II? guess | am a confirmed bach
elor."
Ned had always been such jolly COM
panion! Ever ready for good time,
and neither better nor worse than a
great many young men. He had his
faults, as who has not? And rs for his
good traits of character, they appear
sometimes so Unexpectedly as to seem
all the better for the contrast. We
were quite good friends years ago, and
/ came as near making c0nlidant of
him as ever did of any one. was
never very much given to Over-intimate
friendships with any body, like many
young men, and the majority of young
ladies. On the contrary, while enjoy
ing the society of others, | was always
of very reticent turn, rarely telling
any of my companions anything of my
personal affairs. What good would
ever come of 1t? If one has difficulties
lying in his path, they are none the
more easily overcome by pouring out
ones trials into the willing ear of a
ready listener. And, on the other hand,
if one has bit of good fortune, how
few people there are in the world who
really care to hear it.
And it was six years since | had last
seen Ned! IIeigh-ho How time does
fly! It's no wonder | didn't recognize
him. Six years ago babe Ned Pierce
goodbye on the deck Of an outgoing
Cunarder. Left an orphan with large
estate, he was naturally inclined to
take life easy, and when | said fare
well he was starting on his first trip
across the water, while turned back to
my business in the crowded streets Of
the great city. During these six years
! had lost all track of him, and indeed,
had not thought of him for some time.
l had been quite prosperous in my UNI
dertakings, and was now manager of
the Paris branch of our clearinghouse,
with moderate fortune laid by for the
traditional rainy day"
AS we arrived at our destination, Ned
expressed decided approval of my
apartments, with repeated words of adj
miration. Yes" | acquiesced, lit is
very comfortable here"
Have you any engagement for this
EVENING" he asked as we arose from
the dinner-table.
Nothing Imperative"
"Then come with me-"
Where"
"To the OPERA
| had no objections, and at once
agreed to it, although cared enough to
inquire what was to be sung that even
ing.
you asked me on our way home
what had been doing with myself for
the last six years he said. Come
with me tonight, and after the opera 1
lAl tell you my story"
We went. found that he had box
already engaged, and the usher led the
way to it, at the right hand of the stage
when he retired as silently as he
came.
1t was the familiar opera of La Ira
yiata," sung by "A moderately fair com
pany, and had been alone | probably
should have noticed nothing particu-
larry striking about any of the singers.
AS it was, no sooner had "Nioletta"
made her appearance than | was at
tracted by the strange behavior Of my
companion.
''See, there she isl" he whispered, as
he caught my arm with a vise-like
grip.
well, what of it? Let 90 my arm"
I SprutiuivaI plngalv ihia lv