The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-09-27

Il always feared my inconstant M
ture," she wrote, but | never believed
myself SO utterly unworthy Of your at
lection as | now know myself Seek
better and a trucr woman, for | an
convinced | would have uitimatel
made your days miserable. Go on
into the world and forget me as quickl,
as possible. In two hours | shall b,
married"
| never quite knew what occurred
| only remember lettering and receiv
ing stunning blow on my head
Weeks later | was in my own chamber
it was darkened, and persons movec
about with noiseless steps. | place.
my hand on my head | had no longe
any hair. They told me l had been il
with brain fever.
i = X =: ::
Three years had passed away, but
never cared to inquire who Kate Bur.
we'll married. | tried to forget anC
succeeded but indiflerently. \ change
of scene was necessary for my health
and thanks to the liberal purse of a
wealthy father, | packed my trunks
and sailed for Europe. For twelve
months | did nothing but move from
place to place. aimless of purpose and
far from being interested. At the end
of that period | found myself at the
Hotel Stracke in Ostend. In the
months of August and September the
world goes to Ostend for bathing and
| pleasure. It's grand promenade to
lounge along the Digue, forty feet
| above the sea, and inhale the cool
breezes from the ocean. From the
fact of its being a favorite resort for the
British, the English tongue is much
spoken.
was sitting in the office of the Ho-
tel Stracke one glorious, bright morn
ing, glanclng over newspaper recent
ly received from home, when | raised
my eyes in time to observe one OF the
most splendid specimens of physical
humanity l ever beheld enter the room,
and, walking straight to the clerk S
desk, say something about his craps"
that were following him.
He was quite six feet in stature,
about thirty years Of age and an ath-
lete in appearance. His clear blue
eyes possessed an honesty of purpose
that caused me to murmur involunta-
rily, THAT mans friendship may be
relied upon" His clothes were the
regulation English cut, and he carried
a small leather travelling bag across his
shoulders. Iput him down for Briton,
but when he had turned and left the
room walked to the register where he
had in bold hand inscribed his name
as James Madison, Texas, L. S.
\ half hour later | was still in my
scat, engaged with home news, when
the stranger appeared again and held
some conversation with the clerk, dur
ing which | detected him cycling me
| closely. | took it for granted that |
was in some way connected with his
remarks; nor was | mistaken, for,
coming towards me with an abruptness
| that for a moment almost disconnected
me, he said Il wish to make Your
| acquaintance. believe we are fellow
countrymen," and he laid his card on
the table and grasped my hand with a
heartiness that caused me to vince
flames Madison is my name | have
a large cattle rancho in Texas, where !
reside By birth, however, l am q
kentuckian."
handed him my card, saying "My
name is John Adams, of New York
City; | amglad tc make your acquaint-
anCe, sir"
He glanced at my card with the
laughing remark, 1--WE appear to beal
names common enough, but they sig
nified something in days past.
scarcely think | Can claim kinship witt
him who was president"
and | am equally certain that
have no reason to number the grea
Massachusetts statesman among my
family"
$50 long as we are honest men," he
laughed, that is enough for us"
Il took you for an Englishman,"
remarked.
My rig, suppose, he replied, -
bought it in London-store clothes
BY the way, how long have you beel
here, and which way are you bound
Do you know many of the sojourncr
of the place ?"
told him | had been at Ostend 70
a fortnight only, and had not made
half dozen acquaintance in all tina
time.
Il like your face" he continued
gazing tiXedly in my eyes, "and if vol
will permit me to cultivate your &C
quaintance, hope by and by to meri
your friendship for heaven only know
how soon | may need a friend I'm
plain man, and never have travelled. bu
| have an abundance of means, anc
would give every dollar | possess t.
set my eyes for one instant upon the
man for whom | am looking | got
clue at Dover that led me to suppose
might find him here. This is the rea
son you see me-"
There was something in the name
! in which he uttered these words tha
told me, whatever his object might be