The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-02-21


dress myself at once fortunately the
clothes fitted me as well as my own)
and go to the proprietor to explain
TO him what had occurred, and ask
him If he knew who the person was,
or where could find him.
"No, indeed, sir, / do not. I think
that he is staying at one of the hotels
close by. l thought he locked bit
queer, and, perhaps, as soon as he
gets better, he will come around 81
you had better leave me your address,
that l may send him to you"
This was all that could be done,
and, although ] did not AT all like
the idea of wearing another PERSONS
clothes, l determined to take little
stroll, as the warm sun, after my
long. protracted bath, was very agree.
able.
had not stOrlled far when saw
approaching, and in earnest conVer-
sation, a blonde of about 16, and of
considerable beauty; accompanying
her were two, evidently sisters, but
of an entirely different style Of beau
ty-decidedly brunettes, and of very
graceful figures and easy carriage.
Feeling a little awkward in my
change of dress, and thinking that
every one would notice it, | turned
as If to look at sailing vessel, whose
graceful outlines could be distinctly
seen rising and falling to the waves.
While standing so, and waiting for
them to pass, was utterly perpleXed
by the blonde, who, at that moment
seemed to see me, and with an excIa-
nation of
"Why Charlie, you naughty truant,
where have you been ?" She threw
pair of lovely arms around my neck,
and before | could draw back had
imprinted a delicious kiss upon my
lips.
l was utterly dumbfOunded, but
before | could stammer out any at.
tempt at an explanation she added :
"YOu dear, stupid, 0vergrown boy,
why did you not come direct TO the
hotel and take us out to bathe ?"
Here are my friends, Mabel and An
ME Gray. We would haye gone with
you" and adding in Il whisper II
want you to admire Mabel isn't she
l0vely?" And then followed an in
PRODUCTION, while still stood, feeling
utterly bewildered.
What could l do? I felt myself
the creature of a dream from which
it would be cruelty to myself to
wake, besides it would be useless
then to try to say word, for if she
were carrying out an already stupid
plan that l, her supposed brother,
should fall in love with Mabel, she,
whom | must call the blonde, had
moved on with the younger sister
Annie.
For a few seconds I walked along
by the side Of my cmopanion, utterly
perplexed as to what | should say or
do. 1t was evident that | had been
mistaken for some one else.-the
brother of the one who had so singu.
larly saluted me, and in all probable
ity the clothes that | was wearing
had been the cause of the mistake.
But what could l do? 1t seemed
to me to be absurd to say to Mabel,
who appeared tn be unconscious of
my embarrassment, or if she were
conscious, attributed my silence 10
the ineXperience of youth: Lady,
| am not he who you think l am
the brother of the most beautiful he.
ing who has so lovingly embraced
me. 1t is true l wear his clothes,
Ornamented with fancy buttons, and
scarf, whose pin of hearts, trans
fixed with arrows, has led to this
mistake. But it was by an error of
him to whom they belong that l am
wearing them" 1t would have heeI
awkward, to say the least, to have
volunteered this explanation in a
crowded, fashionable thoroughfarc to
one to whom ought to have been an
utter stranger, and, further, I could
not tell how she might act-it might
occasion scene of which / had the
fear arising from inexperience.
/ therefore determined to maintain
a prudent silence and wait develop
ments. The sister was already out
of sight, probably in furtherance of
the desire so hurriedly expressed that
her brother should have the Oppor-
tunity to win the love of her favorite
school friend, Mabel.
But was | so disposed, had I been
the brother that was supposed to be ?
Such might haYe been the case, for
Mabel was beautiful beyond a doubt
with eyes that seemed to commend
rather than WOO ones admiration,
and with figure perfect in movement